r, deserves a place in history. In answer
to Clay's attack on his life he replied: "I rest my public character
upon it, and desire it to be read by all who will do me justice."

As a debater, where close reasoning was essential, he was an
acknowledged leader. The tariff laws of Jackson's time which brought
this nullification doctrine prominently before the country were
acknowledged to be drawn in favor of the North, as against the South.
The least that can be said is that he was honest; and that he was able
to defend his doctrine no one disputes. Happily manufacturing interests
are now investing in the South, and the tariff question will right
itself.

Mr. Calhoun was brilliant and his great aim in life was the defense of
slavery. He regarded that institution as essential to the very existence
of the Southern States; therefore thought that the abolition of slavery
would tend to the overthrow of the South. He declared that the
Constitution should be revised.

Although never publicly proclaiming such a method, yet it seemed that
his idea was to elect two Presidents, one from the slave and one from
the free States, and that no bill of Congress could be ratified without
their approval. But if Mr. Calhoun was honest in this, as he no doubt
was, yet his measure would tend to take the power from the many and
place it within the few, which is contrary to democratic ideas of good
government.

It was on March 13th, 1850, that he fell exhausted at the close of his
speech in answer to General Cass, and died soon after. Mr. Webster's
funeral oration delivered in the Senate upon the announcement of his
death is a most eloquent yet unexaggerated account of the virtues of
John C. Calhoun.

"Calhoun was a part of his own intellectual character, which grew out of
the qualities of his mind. It was plain, strong, wise, condensed,
concise, still always severe. Rejecting ornament, not often seeking
illustration; his power consisted in the plainness of his propositions,
the clearness of his logic, and the earnestness and energy of his
manner. No man was more respectful to others; no man carried himself
with greater decorum; no man with superior dignity. I have not, in
public or private life, known a man more assiduous in the discharge of
his duties. Out of the Chambers of Congress he was either devoting
himself to the acquisition of knowledge pertaining to the immediate
subject of the duty before him, or else he was indulging in those s