At the peace of 1815 the Government was $120,000,000 in debt; its revenues were small; its credit not great, and the effort to raise money by direct taxation brought it in conflict with the States.... Mr. Calhoun came forward and devised a tariff, which not only gave large revenues to the Government, but gave great protection to manufacturers. Mr. Calhoun received unmeasured abuse for his pains from the North, where the interests were then navigation, and Daniel Webster was the great apostle of free trade.... Under Mr. Calhoun's tariff the New England manufacturers prospered rapidly.... Success stimulated cupidity, and the "black tariff" of 1828 marked the growth of abuse.... It was then that Mr. Calhoun again stepped forth. He stated that the South had cheerfully paid the enormous burden of duties on imports when Northern manufactures were young and the Government weak; the manufacturers had become rich, and the Government strong--so strong that State rights were being merged into its overshadowing power; he therefore demanded a recognition of State rights, and an amelioration of those burdens that the South had so long borne. THOMAS PRENTICE KETTELL (New York) _John C. Calhoun dies, 1850_ April The birds that sing in the leafy Spring, With the light of love on each glancing wing, Have lessons to last you the whole year through; For what is "Coo! coo! te weet tu whu!" But, properly rendered, "The wit to woo!" A wit that brings worship and wisdom too! Coo! coo! te weet tu whu-- The wit to woo--te weet tu whu! The verb "to love," in the tongue of the dove, Heard noon and night in the cedar grove, Is very soon taught where the heart is true: For the wit to woo, and the wisdom too, Lie in the one sweet syllable, "Coo!" But echo me well, and you learn to woo-- Coo! coo! te weet tu whu-- The wit to woo--te weet tu whu! WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS April First Hidden no longer In moss-covered ledges, Starring the wayside, Under the hedges, Violet, Pimpernel, Flashing with dew, Daisy and Asphodel Blossom anew. Down in the bosky dells Everywhere, Faintly their fairy bells Chime in the air. Thanks to the sunshine! Thanks to the showers! They come again, bloom again, Beautiful flowers! THEOPHILUS HUNTER HILL (_Author of the first book published under copyright of the Confederate Government_) _Battle of Five Forks, Virginia, 1865_ April Second At the critical moment A. P. Hill was always strongest. No wonder that both Lee and Jackson, when in the delirium of their last moments on earth, stood again to battle, and saw the fiery form of A. P. Hill leading his columns on. HENRY KYD DOUGLAS _A. P. Hill killed in front of Petersburg, 1865_ _Albert Pike dies, 1891_ April Third THE SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA