Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-11-23

and therefore important. The idle ms,ipder
, stand, the censorious misrepresent; it is tim,
, therefore that the liberal should listen, and th,
upright act.
As this underlined aversion to Mr. Calhoun
rests neither on historical facts nor recorded ex
PIessions, and consequently bespealSs want o
attention to his conduct and acquaintance with
+ ms character, it may be proper to bring into
view few prominent points of both And
SINCE respect both your Judgment and can
dour, shall endeayour 10 be neither tedious
nor superficial.
The first qualification of an American states
man, certainly consists i'm a deep respcct for tho
sovereignty of the people, This noble senti
nent Is the pabuluin OF all public virtues and
| Is Inc genuine offspring of personal pbilant;,ro
Ply aud political honour. The life of no other
man exhibits it more strongly than Mr. Cal.
nouns. 1t is frequently asserted, and with no
partial disposition toward him, that his c,ar,c
ter bears strong resemblance To that of Ham.
mon. The remark is not without foundations
FOR ardour OF patriotism, extent of POLITICAL
knowledge, boldness and perseverance, of pur-
pose,- they are both iustrious. But passibg
over shghter disihictions-tat the mind OF Ham
lton was more discursive, that that of e. I,oun
is more original; that the former excels i'm the.
application of rules, the latter in, the deyelope
ment OF principles. There is in relation to- their
political portraits, one broad and obvious differ
ence. Hamilton was embued with the spirit of
monarchical age, aud impressed with the his
torical fatality ofrepublics. He did not confide
III the capacity of the people for self.rov
'nent, and felt diiiidence of our cons,i,u-
ton. "A brighter political sun has shone on
W.T.. Saihoun, and opened to him a clearer
view OF political philosophy. He has no dis
trust OF the people, no doubts of the consti-
luton; looks to the latter as the channel to
the former as the fountain of all political pow
er Ii Is indeed remarkable and can hardly
ne said OF any other statesman, that lin all the
discussions III which he has been cnraped in all
the measures he has projected or opposed. he
mas never once been found contending against
the extension or security of popular rights. In
MS speech on the compensation law for exam
PIE, ne thus expresses hinself-'sThe constitu-
ton is my letter of instruction. written bv tho
hand OF the people, stamped with their authority.
lt admits OF no doubt as to its obligation II il
Tue solemn voice, of the people to which, bow
with perfect submission. The vor poguI is he
zoe aet; the all powerful and creative voice
Whlch spoke our government intos existence
SO iervent a reverence for the constitution but
fill agrees with the unfounded opinions of th Sc
VINO represent HIM as inclined TO violate or will
ling to disregard it. Indeed it is fact, that we
nave no other statesman who has cvinced more
distinctly, thorough respect both for the prin-
ciple OF our government and for the rule of no.
itIcal action which we have given it.
In regard 10 the constitutions a sincere and
PRACTICAL respect for which is another qualii-
CATION OF American statesmen, there are two
points, to which their opinions admit of impor.
tant and illustrative applications. One is the d.
vision OF power between the general and state 60
Yernments, Ia structure peculiar to our system1
the other common under various notifications
to the moderate governments of Eurore(-it,
| separation into three departments, Legislative
executive and Judicial Referring 10 the Fl, #
point 1t cannot be denied, that although Mr.
Calhoun has proposed and perfected more rnea.
SftF
OF ms age, he has never III single instance dis
turbed or endcavoured to disturb the iust ba-
lance between the state and general govern
ments; or transcribed the line of popular and
well established precodeuts.
Detail on this subject would be wearisome,
and exempiIhcation needless, since the aifirma-
uon, broad and positive il IS, cannot be met
by single act, or contradicted by a soiitar-
expression On the second point, his yiewy
: equally satisfactory, are peculiarly admirable.
as they involve conception of our scheme of
government more popular, and at the same time
more profound, than had ever been previously
formed. Ofthe three branches of government
1 which before had been considered CO coordinate
he describes tie Legislative or popular branch
as 1t truly IS, paramount. This house,n he OBJ
tscrved III a celebrated speech, is the fourdation
OF the fabric of our liberty. The principle OF
our government is not so much a balance OF
power, as well connected chain of RESPONSE
| oiRty. nc responsibility commences here, and
this house is the centre ofits operation. This then
is the essence of our liberty Congress is respon-
sibie to the people Immediately; the other bran
ches OF the government are responsible to it.n In
short,his speeches while they breathe free popu-
larsprlt, and display xpanded republican views
are bounded on all constitutional subjects, BY
the range of public acts and political opinions
left as examples by Jefferson and Madison; and
| exceed IN no instance, those which are known
to be entertained, by Monroe, Adams Craw-
ford, Cheves, and Clay. His principles being
sanctioned by the ablest and most popular inter-
prefers OF the constitution, and harInonizing per-
fectly with the doctrines which their authority
has for years recommended to the people Of the
United States, certainly constitute strong rea-
sons for our supporting biin
His application of them advances if possible
better claim. Ii we look back il extrica ted
us from the horrors of the restrictive system,
elevated our character by glorious war, and
i restored the sOundness Of our national currency
| Ii we look forward, it extends and protects our
western settlements, fortities our Atlantic from
tier, infuses eConorny,* force and knowledge into
the military department, and seeks with pre-
| eminent zeal and intelligence, to improve upon
| the policy of Mr.. Jefferson in regard TO the ma
tional construction of the Cumberland Road
by more strongly connecting the great dlyisi
ons OF the u Mon With its centre, and attracting
external commerce and internal trade, to the
mild and capacious harbours of the Chesapeake.
Shall we hesitate then to admire and encour.
age a minister, who eDdeayotirs to draw the
wealth and industry of the Union towards as: 10
make the Potownac absorb, By force OF superi-
or facilities, the productions of the west and