Book Description

Excerpt from Eulogy on the Life, Character and Public Services of the Hon. John C. Calhoun: Pronounced by Appointment Before the Citizens of Cheraw and Its Vicinity, on Wednesday, April 24, 1850 Fellow Citizens: There are few that die who do not leave some behind to mourn. Natural affection, usefulness, dependence, or some other of the cords that bind the heart of man to man, are broken. We are not long in this world before we suffer, or learn to sympathise with those who weep under this kind of bereavement. Beside this, there are public demonstrations of respect usual, when men die high in station, and where the tribute is often rather to the office, than to the character of the dead. But we have come together not only to mourn for the loss of a "friend, a countryman, a lover;" but also, moved by higher impulses, to render honour to the memory of him, to whom honour is due. In attempting to direct your attention to those principles which lie at the foundation of our political institutions, to the study and vindication of which Mr. Calhoun (in the love of his soul for truth and country) devoted his youth, manhood, and old age; and in support of which he died; standing, as I do, by your own appointment, to speak of his fame; I may, in justice, ask of your candour and forbearance, a favourable construction, should any sentiment be uttered offensive to the opinions of any one of you; especially, (I speak among mine own people, ) when none in former days presented a more fatal opposition, (I speak of the stake of mine own life, ) to Mr. Calhoun's fundamental policy than your orator; and when now, having for a long time been Mr. Calhoun's political disciple, I am to speak in his praise. Did I not firmly believe, (a faith obtained after many struggles, aid over many and strong prejudices, ) did I not firmly believe that as a political prophet, he has been a great light to the people; and that his positions are rooted in facts and truths, in justice, equity and freedom, I could never have consented to occupy this honourable place which your favour has this day assigned me. I believe his political principles to be true. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.