Clemson University - Taps Yearbook (Clemson, SC)

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Calhoun ' s 200th Anyone who has ever been to Clemson has seen the stately southern mansion that sits proudly in the middle of the campus. Known as Calhoun Mansion, this beautiful building located on Fort Hill was the home of John C. Calhoun from 1825 until his death in 1850. He then passed it on to his son-in-law. This happened to be Thomas Greene Clemson, who eventually left the home and surrounding farmlands to the state of South Carolina for the establish- ment of an agricultural and engineering college. Calhoun ' s home has since been declared a National Historical Landmark, and approximately 20,000 people tour it each year. But why all the fuss over a building? Because 1982 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of John C. Calhoun. Born on March 18, 1782, Calhoun ' s list of accom- plishments seem too amazing to believe. He was first elected to the state legislature in 1808, and after only two years there, he was elected to the national House of Re- presentatives. While there, he was ap- pointed to the Foreign Affairs Committee, A LARGE CROWD turned out for the afternoon lawn party at Fort Hill (below). and he eventually was chairman of this body. A major step in his political career came when President James Monroe ap- pointed him to the position of Secretary of War. Calhoun held this spot for eight years with a great deal of success. It was this success that made him look for higher goals. In 1821, Calhoun declared himself a candidate for the presidential election of 1824. However, he was unable to contend with the surging popularity of Andrew Jackson; he then decided to run for vice- president. He won the election and served under two presidents, John Quin- cy Adams and then Jackson. He resigned the vice-presidency before his term with Jackson was up to return to the Senate, where he stayed until his death in 1850. For all of his accomplishments and suc- cess, in 1959 a congressional committee headed by Senator John F. Kennedy se- lected John C. Calhoun as one of five all time greatest senators. The Calhoun Bicentennial Committee, chaired by John Allen of the department of information and public services, had the great responsibility of planning a cele- bration suitable for such a great man. The Michael L. Puldy LIVE MUSIC added to the festivities during the celebration of John C. Calhoun ' s 200th birthday (above). week of March 8-12, three famous paint- ings and a cast iron bust of Calhoun were on display in the Robert Muldrow Cooper Library. On March 18, Senator Strom Thurmond hosted a reception in the sen- ate chambers in Washington in Calhoun ' s honor. Also, a week long open house was held at the mansion during Founder ' s Week, April 5-10. The highlight of the week was an afternoon lawn party on the grounds of Fort Hill. Even with a celebra- tion covering two months, it still seems inadeguate for a man with the accom- plishments of John C. Calhoun. By Edwin Alien 16 — Student Life

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STATELY CALHOUN MANSION, located on Fort Hill near the center of campus, is visited by nearly 20,000 people each year (left). CALHOUN RETURNED HOME for the lawn party and delivered a speech much like those he gave when a Senator (below). David Peed Michael L. Puldy Student Lile — 17