Excerpt from Life of John C. Calhoun: Presenting a Condensed History of Political Events From 1811 to 1843

Including the Period from his Infancy until he entered Congress.

The object of the present memoir of john caldwell calhoun is not to present a biography of the man, but to describe him as a statesman; to draw and to develop his character in that capacity, and to trace his emi nent public services during a long career in one of the most eventful pe riods of human history. To dwell on a character like his, distinguished by every trait that should win esteem and command admiration, would be to the biographer a most attractive labour; but the pleasure of depicting a private life elevated by spotless purity and integrity, and a severe sim plicity of tastes and habits, must be relinquished - except so far as occa sioual reference to his early history may become necessary - for the high er duty of portraying his intellectual features, and of explaining his mo tives and conduct as a public man. It is not our aim to commend him to public affection, Or to enlist popular sympathy in his behalf, but rather to show to the world, not for his sake, but for its own instruction, the deep influence of this master-mind upon the great political events of his age. A fair and impartial review of the career of this eminent statesman in connexion with public affairs, is necessary to a thorough understanding of the course of our own government for nearly two thirds of its existence. Such a review, it is believed, would be no unacceptable offering at the present time. Throughout the whole period from 1811 up to the pres ent time he has served the Union in the various capacities of Represent ative, Secretary of War, Vice-president, and Senator. He has taken a prominent and influential part in all the great questions which have arisen during that long interval; and, although he has asked a release from farther public service, it is not impossible that he may be destined to close his career as a statesman in another and a higher station. With faculties unclouded, with physical powers unimpaired, with a judgment matured by observation and experience, with an intrepidity untamed by the many trying vicissitudes of his extraordinary life, and with an activity whose energies are unabated by time, it is probable that. The American people will not dispense with such services as he might render in the highest sphere open to American statesmen.

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