re-elected in 1854 for a full term of six years. He supported measures
favorable to the promotion of slavery notwithstanding the Michigan
legislature had instructed him to vote otherwise. He favored Douglass'
Kansas-Nebraska bill.

He warmly favored Buchanan's nomination and became his Secretary of
State, but promptly resigned when the president refused to reinforce
Fort Sumter; thus closing a career of over fifty years of almost
continuous public service. He, however, gave his support from this time
to the Union and lived to see that triumphant suppression of treason. He
died on the 18th day of June, 1866. He was a man of pure integrity,
great ability, a fine scholar and an effective public speaker. He was
exceedingly generous in all worthy petitions which his great wealth
enabled him to gratify unsparingly. He was also an author of some note.

JOHN C. CALHOUN.

The father of John C. Calhoun was born in Ireland; his mother was the
daughter of an Irish Presbyterian, a lady of great worth. Most of our
illustrious men owe their success to a noble mother, and so it was with
Calhoun. He was early taught to read the Bible, and his parents sought
to impress upon him their Calvinistic doctrines.

As a child he was grave and thoughtful, and at the age of thirteen he
studied history so perseveringly as to impair his health. His father
died about this time, and a glimpse of his loving disposition can be
obtained from the fact that notwithstanding that he greatly desired an
education, still he would not leave the farm until assured of the means
of prosecuting his studies without impairing his mother's comfort.
Consequently he had few of the advantages to which systematic schooling
is conducive until late in youth. He, however, made a satisfactory
arrangement with his family, who agreed to furnish him money for a
course of seven years.

He had decided to study law, but declared that he preferred being a
common planter to a half-educated lawyer. He soon entered Yale College,
where he graduated with distinction. President Dwight is said to have
remarked 'That young man has ability enough to be President of the
United States and will become one yet.' Before returning home he spent
eighteen months in the law-school at Litchfield, Connecticut. He also
cultivated extempore speaking, and finally returned South to finish his
studies.

Being admitted to the bar he began practice; in 1808 was elected to the
Legislature, and in