Master Class

Debaucheries of any kind Calhoun was never accused of. There is no record that he ever read or tried to write poetry, although there is a traditional gibe to the effect that he once began a poem with "Whereas," and stopped. Once in his life he read a novel—this at the request of a lady who asked for his judgment on it. A friend, Mary Bates, observed that she "never heard him utter a jest," and Daniel Webster in his eulogy said he had never known a man "who wasted less of life in what is called recreation, or employed less of it in any pursuits not immediately connected with the discharge of his duty." Duty is the word, for duty was the demonic force in Calhoun. "I hold the duties of life to be greater than life itself," he once wrote. "... I regard this life very much as a struggle against evil, and that to him who acts on proper principle, the reward is in the struggle more than in victory itself, although that greatly enhances it." In adult life to relax and play are in a certain sense to return to the unrestrained spirits of childhood. There is reason to believe that Calhoun was one of those people who have had no childhood to return to. This, perhaps, was what Harriet Martineau sensed when she said that he seemed never to have been born. His political lieutenant, James H. Hammond, remarked after his death: "Mr. Calhoun had no youth, to our knowledge. He sprang into the arena like Minerva from the head of Jove, fully grown and clothed in armor: a man every inch himself, and able to contend with any other man."

John C. Calhoun was a man of high ideals who compromised his beliefs in service to comfort to his ‘master class’.  Mr. Calhoun believed in nationalism and aspired to become a leader in that regard, but cleverly amended his approach, in favor of sectionalism, to suit his political and financial aims.  As the north of the country gained in prominence and power, the south began to feel abused and in threat of their way of life.  It is proposed that the original rift between north and south was more about this perceived imbalance in power more than any disagreement directly related to slavery.  Calhoun professed belief that there was need of a ‘master class’ in order to effectuate success in the country.  There had to be laborers, and as such masters.  Mr. Calhoun did not believe the country could be successful without such a system.

I chose the above paragraph for the sentence "... I regard this life very much as a struggle against evil, and that to him who acts on proper principle, the reward is in the struggle more than in victory itself, although that greatly enhances it."  The sentiments of this statement resonates with me on a very deep level.  I believe in one’s life work, the reward for a good job is more work.  In reading the piece, I was intrigued with how many people described Mr. Calhoun as being so serious about his pursuits dedicated to his cause.  Regarding a 'master class', I believe it is still in effect today- we call it the 1%.