March, in his " Reminiscences of Congress," ers acquitted themselves splendidly, and describes him as follows : " Hayne dashed their respective constituents and admirers into debate like the Mameluke cavalry upon were delighted. The friends of each claimed a charge. There was a gallant air about the victory for their champion. At a re him that could not but win admiration. He ception held in the White House immedi ately after the " great debate," admiring never provided for retreat; he never imag ined it. He had an invincible confidence throngs gathered around them, both to ex tend the hand of congratulation and offer in himself, which arose partly from consti tutional temperament, partly from previous words of praise. success. His was the Napoleonic warfare, — It is perhaps too early even at this time — to strike at once for the Capitol of the ene seventy years since-— to pass judgment upon my, heedless of danger or loss to his own them, and to award to either of them the forces. Not doubting to overcome all odds, palm of victory, so hard is it for one to free he feared none, however seemingly superior. himself from sectional prejudice and political Of great fluency and no little force of ex bias. In brilliant rhetoric, glowing imagery, pression, his speech never halted, and seldom and eloquence of style, Mr. Webster's speech fatigued. His oratory was graceful and per excelled. To the argument made by Mr. suasive. An impassioned manner, some Hayne on this occasion, an able writer pays what vehement at times, but rarely, if ever, the following splendid tribute : " It exhibits extravagant; a voice well modulated and a profound knowledge of the true principles clear; a distinct, though rapid, enunciation; of our Constitution, and of the relative rights a confident, but not often offensive, address, and duties of the federal and state govern — these, accompanying and illustrating lan ments. As an effort of intellect, it will rank guage well selected and periods well turned, among the highest in the annals of American made him a popular and effective speaker." eloquence, and as a faithful exposition of Born and bred a southerner, he was proud the true structure and objects of the Ameri of his section and people. A South Caro can Confederacy, it will be regarded as a linian to the core, he believed in State rights text-book by the supporters of the sover and in a strict construction of the Consti eignty of the States in every section of the tution. Union." All of the environments and settings of In November, 1832, Mr. Hayne was a this occasion were appropriate and interest member of the convention that enacted ing. The Senate at that time was composed the South Carolina Ordinance of Nul of strong men with extended reputations. lification, and was in thorough sympathy The presiding officer was the great Caro with that measure. In December, 1832, he linian, Mr. Calhoun, in the zenith of his was elected governor and commander-infame. The chamber was erowded with chief. On entering upon the duties of his spectators, — the House of Representatives office, he took occasion to set out fully in almost being deserted by its members. The his inaugural address South Carolina's posi members of the various diplomatic corps tion on the nullification question. occupied conspicuous places, and in the When President Jackson issued his famous galleries could be seen many of the most proclamation in which he denounced the distinguished and beautiful women of the nullification ordinance, the legislature of country. South Carolina was still sitting, and a good The entire scene, in grandeur and im- many of its members and of the citizens pressiveness, was without a parallel in the became alarmed. So vigorous, however, history of this country. Both of the speak was the counter-proclamation of Governor
