Calhoun as a Lawyer and Statesman. no uncertain sound. It was strong and vig orous in its tone and aggressive in its char acter. It strongly recommended immediate and active preparations for war. Speeches were made in support of the report by the chairman, Mr. Porter, and by Mr. Grundy. An able and eloquent speech was made on the opposite side by Virginia's gifted but er ratic statesman, John Randolph, who dep recated war and in scathing terms criticised the report. Great crowds of people at tended these discussions, and, as the debate continued, the interest and attendance in creased until at last, the lobby and the gal leries fairly swarmed with people. To Mr. Calhoun was assigned the task of replying to Mr. Randolph. He had spoken only once before, but his remarks were then very brief, and his manner betrayed some embarrassment. On this occasion he came forth "as a strong man to run a race." He had about him the appearance of a man who was self-possessed and at his ease and who was confident that he had right on his side. Ably and eloquently did he sustain the re port of the committee. He did not hesitate to enter the lists with Virginia's champion and to assail his positions mercilessly. His speech makes good reading matter even at this distance of time. It struck a responsive chord in the heart of the nation and won for its author a reputation as an orator and statesman throughout the entire country. Mr. Thomas Ritchie, the able editor of the "Richmond Enquirer," after referring to Mr. Calhoun's argument in reply to Mr. Ran dolph paid to the former the following graceful compliment: — "Mr. Calhoun is clear and precise in his rea soning, marching up directly to the object of his attack, and felling down the errors of his oppo nent with the club of Hercules; not eloquent in his tropes and figures, but, like Fox, in the moral elevation of his sentiments; free from personality, yet full of those fine touches of indignation which are the severest cut to the man of feeling. His speech, like a fine drawing, abounds in those
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lights and shades which set off each other; the cause of his country is robed in light, while her opponents are wrapped in darkness. It were a contracted wish that Mr. Calhoun were a Vir ginian : though, after the quota she has furnished with opposition talents, such a wish might be for given us. We beg leave to participate, as Ameri cans and friends of our country, in the honors of South Carolina. We hail this young Carolinian as one of the master-spirits who stamp their names upon the age in which they live." Nor like Single-speech Hamilton did he content himself with one effort, but through out the entire war he was its champion and the leading spirit of his party. In the main he supported the measures of the adminis tration, but whenever it became necessary to take issue with it, he did not hesitate to do so. He condemned the non-importation and embargo acts which were administration measures and indeed by his course on these questions found himself at variance with many of his party friends. As a matter of fact, party fealty never was one of his lead ing characteristics. He claimed the right to think and act for himself. He had the moral courage to separate from his party, whenever in his judgment the dictates of duty demanded of him that he pursue a dif ferent course from that mapped out by his party associates. And he carried his inde pendent ideas even further. He was no trim mer. He neither courted party favor nor popular applause. We have all heard the expression that when Mr. Calhoun took snuff, South Carolina sneezed. If this was true, it was because the people of this State approved of his views, for he never truckled even to win the support of his own people, dearly as he loved them. In line with my contention I will cite his own words: "I never know what South Carolina thinks of a measure. I never consult her. I act to the best of my judgment, and according to my conscience. If she approves, well and good. If she does not, or wishes any one to take my place, I am ready to vacate. We are even."
