George McDuffie. was a man of the highest order of intellect, who though he has since been known through out the Union as one of the ablest speakers of the country, he seems to have added but little to his powers of debate since he passed his twenty-second year." So industrious was McDuffie at the Willington school and so devoted was he to his book that we learn that he soon distanced all competition, and in a very short time was prepared for college : and at the commencement in December, 1 8 11, he entered the junior class, and was soon acknowledged as the first man in it," graduating afterwards with the first honor. As is so often the case in the history of young men, the subject which he selected for his graduating speech, namely, the "Permanence of the Union," was indicative of his trend of thought and a prognostication of the profession which he would adopt and the life which he would follow. It is inter esting to observe the comments which Judge O'Neall makes on his selection of this subject, which were as follows : " It is a little remarkable, that his opening speech on the threshold of life, should have set before the country his belief in the permanency of that Union which many of his speeches, in and out of Congress, subsequently, so much jeopardized. I do not wish to judge Judge O'Neall too harshly, for he seems to have held Mr. McDuffie in high regard, but it does seem to me that his comments smack a a little of that acerbity which not unusually characterizes contemporary criticism. How ever this may have been, the young grad uate must have made a good speech, for we are informed that it was printed at the request of the students. McDuffie graduated from the South Caro lina College in December, 18 13, and he did not tarry long before commencing the study of his profession and entering on his life work. In May, 1814, he was admitted to the bar, Judge O'Neall being a member of the same class with him. It is the exception and not the rule now for young men to be
admitted to the bar after so short a course of study. A two years' course is usually prescribed, and the advocates of a three years' course are growing in number. McDuffie located at Pendleton, South Carolina, and commenced the practice of his profession there. He had the fate com mon to most young lawyers — few clients came at first. Whether or not he applied himself to his books at this time we are not informed; but he must have become im patient, for we soon find him branching out in politics by running for solicitor, only how ever to be defeated. This apparent misfor tune, in reality was a blessing, for it is said to have proven a turning point in his life, and his efforts to rise were soon after crowned with success. He was offered and accepted a co-partnership with Colonel Eldred Simpkins, of Edgefield, a lawyer who had a fine practice and a splendid library. He now rose rapidly in his profession and stood high, not only in professional but in social circles as well. In 18 18, he represented Edgefield Dis trict in the legislature. He seems to have made a good record there, taking an active part in the discussions and impressing the members favorably with his business habits. In 182 1 he succeeded Colonel Simpkins in Congress. At that time he was only thirty-three years old. Our fathers were wiser than we in selecting candidates for high office. They were willing to intrust the affairs of state in the hands of young men. Henry Clay was only twenty-nine when he became a United States senator, and Robert Y. Hayne only thirty-one. Cal houn was a member of Congress at twentyeight, Webster at thirty-one, Blaine at thirtythree, and John Randolph at twenty-six. We have been too much disposed, latterly, to wait until men have reached middle age before putting them in office. This is a great mistake. It is better to elect them when they are in their hopeful manhood than after they have reached their prime.
