Bank-Mr. Dallas' Bill--Opposition of Mr. Calhoun to this Meas- PAGE Changes in Politics-Consistency of Mr. Calhoun--Resolutions of 1816-The Direct Tax-Speech-Tariff Act of 1816-Views of Mr. Calhoun-Principle of the Law-The Military Academy— Expiration of his Service in the House of Representatives-Ap- pointed Secretary of War-Management of the Affairs of the Department-Financial System-Other Improvements intro- duced-Reörganization of the Army-System of Fortifications Presidential Election of 1824-Mr. Calhoun chosen Vice-President -Character as Presiding Officer-Refusal to leave his Seat when a Tie Vote was anticipated-Decision in regard to the Right to call to Order-Opposition to the Measures of Mr. Adams-Re- ourney to Washington-Takes his Seat in the Senate-Special Message of the President-Mr. Calhoun's Resolutions—The Force Bill-Speech against it-The Debate-Argument of Mr. Web- ster-Reply of Mr. Calhoun Character of this Effort-Passage Removal of the Deposits-Opposition of Mr. Calhoun to the Jack- son Administration-Course in Regard to the Bank-Executive Patronage-Reëlected to the Senate-Abolition Excitement- Speech on the Reception of Abolition Petitions-Admission of Resolutions on the Subject of Abolitionism-Opinions of Mr. Cal- houn-Assumption of State Debts-Bankrupt Bill-Case of the Enterprise-Support of Mr. Van Buren-Election of Harrison and Tyler-The Public Lands-Distribution-The Bank Bills- Death of Mr. Calhoun-Funeral Honors-His Family-Personal Appearance-Character-Habits in Private Life-Mental Pow- ers Style as a Speaker and Writer-Work on Government- YAGE LIFE OF JOHN C. CALHOUN. CHAPTER I. Roman Virtue and Integrity-Often paralleled in America-Character of Mr. Calhoun-His Reputation-Attachment of the People of South Carolina to him-Influence-Ancestors-His Father-Characteristic Traits-His Birth. WHEN Brennus, the Gallic chieftain, and the dark and uncouth, but stalwart and intrepid warriors, whom he led forth from their transalpine homes down upon the fair and fertile plains of Italy, entered the gates of the Eternal City,-and their startling cry of "Væ victis!"-woe to the conquered!-awoke a thousand echoes in her ancient streets and thoroughfares, in her palaces and her temples,-her defeated soldiery and her af frighted inhabitants fled for refuge to the Capitoline Hill, "that high place where Rome embraced her heroes." But some few of the nobler spirits of the republic, reverencing the memories of the past, cherishing its patriotic impulses, and practicing its virtues, remained in the Forum, and seated in their curule chairs, fearlessly and calmly awaited the approach of the enemy. Rude and unpolished as were the invaders, though reckless of danger and indifferent to peril, they were instantly struck with astonishment at this exhibition of firmness and devotion, of patriotism and virtue; and they regarded with awe, the sublime majesty of the countenances in which dignity and determination were so nobly blended. These Romans were the types of a once numerous class, whose character has been held in admiration for ages, in every clime and among every people to whom their history is known. Roman virtue-that virtue which constituted the bright peculiar trait of statesmen, and soldiers, and citizens, in the earlier and purer days of republican simplicity, and whose light, though shorn of many of its beams, was not wholly lost amid the glory and splendor of the Empire, till the throne of the Cæsars had crumbled into dust-the virtue thus exemplified and thus ennobled in Rome, has been often paralleled, if not surpassed, in the great republic of the West. While we have in some degree imitated her form of government, we have also copied the traits of character which rendered her distinguished men so famous; and it is justly esteemed no small praise among us, to be commended for the possession and practice of Roman virtue and Roman integrity. It is, too, a fit subject for congratulation, that our country, though so young in years, has produced so many men deservedly entitled to this high distinction: they have not appeared only once in a generation or an age, but like the branches of the golden tree which opened the portals of the lower world, when one is torn away another is not wanting,*-when Primo avulso non deficit alter Aureus. Virgil, Eneid, vi 148. |