American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-06-24
DINNER TO MIR. CALHOUN

of the United States IN Abbevle, D. u ue PH0e VI n
nativity his fellow citizens prompted by desire to oer
him some testimony of their appreciation OF ms puoc SCI
vices, well of their personal regard invited nun "
partake of public Dinner on the 9th OF May at Auoe
Vile Court House PATRcK NOBLE, Esq acted as fres
dent and Col Alexander Bowie assisted as Wee Pres
dent A large number OF gentlemen sat down 10 aoie'
and the ay was spent in harmony and rational hary IN
the evening Bail succeeded given IN honor OF 's US
npushed citizen attended by numerous assemblage OF
ladies' and gentlemen Among the Toasts were the follow"
ing.
The CONSTITUTION of the United States Uniform en-
perience continues to display its wisdom and ehcaoy
The UNITED STATES; Their rapid advance IN virtue
knowledge, and liberty furnishes the best comment on Tree
principles.
The PREs1pESr Of the United States
Gen. JACKSON: The purity Of his character and prnc-
PIES acquires lustre from the attacks OF his enemies
JAMES MoSRor His able and faithful administration is
the monument of his fame.
Our distinguished Guest the vIcE President of the
United States His eminent talents have been eXered 10
promote the happiness and prosperity Of the whole Union
As soon as this toast was drank Mr.. CALHOUN from
his and addressed the company as follows
" Gentlemen : would lily deserve your favor
were not sensibly affected by your kind reception
After so long an absence, and after having passed
through many trying scenes to return to the
friends of nv youth, TO whose early confidence ]
owe my first advancement in public lie, and to be
thus received is indeed truly gratifying, and VIII be
held in grateful remembrance so long as may live
Nor will terminate in mere emotion OF gratitude
but will animate and impel me with redoubled zeal
to act on those principles and views, by adhering
to which heretofore, have been SO fortunate, as to
secure your appreciation, and that of so large por
ton OF our fellow citizens. Surrounded as ann by
my early acquaintance, 1t will not, trust, be con-
sidered indicate to advert for moment 10 the
principles, which have invariably governed me mi
public life. From the commence OF my pub
lie course to this day, have, under all circum
stances, been directed by one great leading princi-
pie, an entire confidence in the virtue and m;elli-
gence OF the American people. believe them lo|
be not only capable OF sell government but OF wise
self government and thus believing never for a
moment doubted that the appreciation OF my fellow
citizens would invariably follow an honest and en-
lightened discharge Of duty if fairly and fully ex-
planned. To understand then the true interest OF
the country s pursue it steadily under every diff
Gully, resolved from the first should my constant
guide in my passage through public life. had not
been long in the councils ofihe nation before the firm
ness ofmy resolution put 10 severe test You all
remember the condition OF our country in 1911 and
1912 during what is called the war session. war
At that time apparently intermlnable was wsgedI
)e ween the two great powers Of Europe, England
and France, in the progress OF which, long series
oi injuries had been inflicted neutral rights
These at length became insufferabe Every at
empt was made. by measures short Of war, to re-
lress our wrongs They all failed So far from
lrresting the course Of beigerant aggression, our
neutral rights continued to be steadily encroached on
n spite of embargoes and the Whole system OF res
rictive measures We were at length (at the pc
'iod.t which refer reduced to the condition OIL
lumbly submitting, or Of making an open and bold
appeal to arms. There were not wanting in Con
,ress, many land some Of th-m distinguished by
Ioh far Nyho ,ic
,on with all Of its humiliation. Those members
lened not our country's wrongs They were in
act but too manifest; but they doubted, whether |
he people would bear the buTlhens and privanons
IF war. They readily conceded that the people
would sustain their government in peace, when but
little efforts were necessary to sustain it, but would
~ means concede to them that elevated intelli- |
5ence and patriotism which were requisite TO bear
through all of the dangers Of neither So
believed nor acted. was not ignorant oil the dan |
ger and privations which must ever attend wal
With England, particularly unprepared as the coun
ny then was clearly saw our difficulties, but my
aith in your virtue and intelligence was never fot
an instant shaken | asked myself simply, what
10 the lasting interest and the honor of the country
require. and not doubling but that both would be |
sacrificed without resistance, unhesitstngly gayel
my voice for that war, which has emphaticaliy and
Justly been called The second Of independence. Norl
vas mistaken in my estimate Of the character of
he people. Sustained by their enlightened patriot.
sm the government was borne in safety through
he stormy current of events. An honorable peace
ollowed' and with it the important question occur
ed, on what footing should peace establishments
De placed. Again Congress was divided. There
we're many on whom The experience of the war ap-
peared 70 be lost Either not discerning what your
interest required. or, hat is more probable, not
;onhdng IN your disposition to make the sacrifices
which the measures necessary for the security of
The country required, they found in opposition
10 almost every measure proposed for that purpose
Not doubling the necessity Of an enlightened sys-
tenn Of measures for the security Of the country and