South Carolina—A Colony and State [pp. 668-688]

680 SOUTHl CAROLINA-A COLONY AND STATE.
own opinions, but the same careful and consciencious regard of the
opinions and feelings of others; its claim, quiet but firm, to be treated
with its full measure of respectful consideration, but in return always
bearing itself to others as recognized and respected equals. It came
down to us from the Revolution to latter days. Indeed, I know no
more perfect picture of its varied excellences than that admirable
character drawn by an eminent statesman of John Gaillard, for near
thirty years a Senator from this State, and for at least half of that
time the presiding officer of the Senate. Sprung from the old Huguenot stock-a large slaveholder, an eminent jurist, reared in the mnidst
of all those influences to which we attribute the peculiarities of our
character, not of that pre-eminent intellect which takes a few great
men out of their local connection, and gives them, as it were, the
freedom of the world-he was exactly the type of the people he represented. Of him Mr. Benton says:
"In the language of Mr. Macon, he seemed born for that station. Urbane in
his manners, amiable in temper, scrupulously impartial, attentive to his duties,
exemplary patience, perfect knowledge of the rules, quick and clear discernment,
uniting absolute firmness of purpose with the greatest gentleness of mannerssetting young senators right with a delicacy and amenity which spared the confusion of a mistake-preserving order, not by authority of rules, but by the
graces of deportment; such were the qualifications which commended him to
the presidency of the Senate, and which facilitated the transaction of business
while preserving the decorum of the body. There was probably not an instance
of disorder or a disagreeable scene during his long-continued presidency. He
classed democratically in politics, but was as much the favorite of one side of the
House as of the other, and that in the high party times of the war with Great
Britain, which so much exasperated party spirit.
Well, indeed, may we look back with grateful pride upon this
period of our history. Trained by the long, varied, political experience
of her colonial revolutionary trials, the State had contributed largely to
the wise and sober councils which organized the national government,
under whose beneficent administration she hoped to reap the reward
of first sacrifices. And, when that government commenced its new
and difficult life, she served it with honorable fidelity. In the party
struggles which characterized the first thirty years of its existence,
she adhered, with unchanging firmness, to the political creed which
she professed, but her public life was marked by a manly truthfulness, a conscientious justice, a simple and generous courtesy, which
has become a tradition in our political history. At home she was
eminently prosperous-her commerce expanded, her agriculture, stimulated by the possession of a great and necessary staple, developed
prodigiously in extent and wonderfully in science-the graces of her
character flourished in rich luxuriance, and the culture, refinement,
and hospitality of her people, and especially of her old and honored
metropolis, added an exquisite charm to the graver virtues of her
character. And this fullness of an elevated and happy life found its
highest expression in the lives of her chosen and distinguished statesmen. She was represented in the Senate by the eminent man to