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sight. The great theme of his thought and And now let us see what were some of teaching was sovereignty, which he deemed the leading, distinguishing characteristics of so essentially one and indivisible that, like a Mr. Calhoun's life. In the first place, I triangle, it could not be divided without would remark that he had a high ideal. being destroyed. Had he been less astute, His whole life bears out this assertion. Just he might have seen that the peculiar work think of it. Here is a farmer-boy, who has accomplished by the Constitution of the only had for two or three years the advan United States was a division of sovereignty tages of a common old-field school, — who between the States as an aggregate and as has hardly received the rudiments of an individuals, and that the result is represented education. His older brother goes to Char by two concentric circles rather than by a leston, where he was no doubt impressed single triangle or a single figure of any kind. with the importance of an education and His mind being severely logical he reasoned the desirability of a profession, and, on his with the same vigor from false premises as return home, tells his younger brother what from true ones, and no conclusion, however he has seen and how he has been impressed, startling, could shake his dialectic courage. and then suggests to him that he study a He was certainly right in the fundamental profession. The lad is willing to act upon conception that all wise practical statesman the suggestion, provided two obstacles can ship rests on sound speculation and must be overcome, — and one of these obstacles conform to it. It was because he adopted is the want of means for a seven years' course this conception and adhered unflinchingly of preparation. We see here that from the to its spirit that he was, par exeellenee, very beginning Calhoun mapped out for our philosophic statesman. But, like many himself a big undertaking — that his aspira philosophers in other fields of speculation, tions were high. We find him matriculat he failed to expel certain vitiating errors ing in one of the finest institutions in the from his theoretical system. As it was he whole country and at once determining to was grand and glorious, but could he have take rank among the very first. And within seized upon the truth, the whole truth, and a few years we find him graduating at Yale, nothing but the truth, he would have been and carrying off the honors of his class at irresistible." that. Obtaining his diploma, he is not con The National Portrait Gallery describes tent to receive anything short of the very Mr. Calhoun as follows: "In his person, best professional training! A high ambition Mr. Calhoun is slender and tall. His still. Entering his profession, he takes rank countenance at rest is strikingly marked by with its leaders. Branching out into poli decision and firmness. In conversation it tics, he becomes prominent in legislative circles, but still he is not content, — he must is highly animated, expressive, and indica tive of genius. His eyes are large, dark, go to Congress. And so we might follow brilliant, and penetrating, and leave no doubt him all along his course, as member of the at first view of a high order of intellect. His House of Representatives, senator, secretary manners are easy, natural, and unassuming, of war, vice-president, and secretary of state, and as frank as they are cordial and kind. and everywhere we would find high aspira He has none of the cautious reserve and tions characterizing him. This thought is beautifully brought out in an address by mystery of common politicians; but is ac cessible to all, agreeable, instructive and Dr. Means: "In a neighboring farm some eloquent in conversation, and communicates forty years ago, a whistling ploughboy his opinions with the utmost freedom and merrily drove his daily team, but ' thought on nobler things.' And now that plough unreserve."