CALHOUN AS SECRETARY OF WAR 303 Another man described Calhoun's legislative career as, "Short, but uncommonly luminous; his love of novelty and his apparent solicitude to astonish were so great, that he has occasionally been known to go beyond even the dreams of political visionaries and to propose schemes which were in their nature impracticable or injurious, and which he seemed to offer merely for the purpose of displaying the affluence of his mind and the fertility of his ingenuity." 10 Babcock, in the "Rise of the American Nationality," has characterized Calhoun, when in Congress, as a "Young South- erner of good family, fine endowments, and fine education, he was an ardent nationalist, working for, arguing for and dream- ing of a great and powerful United States safely bound to- gether for its work in the world. He was ambitious, but could afford to wait for his promotions. . . . Through all the quiet energy of his work, and the luminous diction of his speeches runs a strain of passion and chivalrous sentiment. More clearly than anyone else of this time did Calhoun fulfill the prophetic function for the South, showing forth its best spirit and noblest impulses, as yet unwarped and uncorroded by slavery." 11 Mr. Nathan Appleton, a visitor in Washington about 1816, wrote "That he had been introduced to many distinguished men, among whom were Mr. Clay and Mr. Calhoun." 12 These two men worked together during this Congressional session, both believing in tariff and internal improvements, and not realizing as yet, their conflicting ambitions. 1 3 10 Am. Hist. Review, n, 510-2; 1905-6. F. 7. Turner, The South 1820-30. Taken from Letters from North America, by A. Hodgson, I, 81; 1824. 11 Babcock, Rise of American Nationality, Am. Nation Series, an. i a Mast. Hist. Society Proceed. V. a6i. i86o-a. Memoirs of Nathan Appleton. 13 William and Mary Quarterly, XVII; 143-4, * paper on the U. S. Congress and SOIM of Itt Celebrities, Colton, Henry Clay, I, 434-6, VI, 108. 1
