The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-09
From the Pendiedon Messe,
MIR. CALHOUN.

The following is the true reply of Mr. Calhoun
to letter of invitation from a committee of our
citizens, who rendered him the compliment of pub
lie dinner, for his able and patriotic services at the
recent evenltul session Of Congress. .,.s.s.
Foar HIT, Nov. Sd, 1887
Gcnttemen-It is with very great reluctanc de-
cline your kind invitation TO paTlake of a public
dinner From no quarter, and on no occasion, could
an expression of appreciation be more acceptable !:
but short is the interval between this and the next
regular session of Congress, and SO indispensable is
it, that should devote il exclusively to my domestic
concerns, preparatory to my long absence from
home, that am compelled to decline the honor in
tended
In saying that on no occasion could the expression
OF your confidence be more welcome, intend no
unmeanng common place. During the long period
of my public service, never have seen more i'm
portan, crisis than the present, and in none have
ever been compelled in the discharge of my duty, to
assume greater responsibility. saw clearly, on
my arrival at Washington, at the commencement of
the late extra session, that our affairs had reached
the point, when according to the course might
take, should reap the full harvest of long and
arduous struggle against the entertainments and
abuses OF the General Government or lose the fruits
of all our labor. clearly saw, that our bold vigor-
Gus attacks had made deep and successful impress
sion. State interposition had overthrown the pro-
tective Tariff, and with it the American system, and
put stop to Congressional usurpaton and the Joint
attacks of our party and that of our old opponents
the National Republicans, had efectually brought
down the power of the Executive, and arrested its
Entertainments for the present. 1t was for that pur
pose we had united. True to our principle of oppo
sition to the encroachment of power from whatever
quarter it might come, we did not hesitate, after
overthrowing the protective system and arresting
Legislative usurpation, to Join the authors of that
system in order to arrest the encroachmeniS Of the
Executive, although we differed as widely as the
poles on almost every otker question, and regarded
the usurpation of the Executive, but necessary
consequence of the principles and policy of our new
allies.
In joining them, were moi insensible TO the en-
barrasSment of our position. With such allies sue
cess was difficult, and victory itself without change
of principles and policy their part dangerous !;
and accordingly, while we united with them against
the Executive, we refused all participation in the
Presidential contest. But, with all its embarrasS-
ments, it was the only practicable course leh us
short of abandoning our principles, or the country
by retiring altogether from the field of contest. In
this embarrassing position, we waited the develop
ment of events, with the fixed determition that let
what might come, we would inieyibly pursue the
course, which regard TO our principles, and the
success OF our cause demanded. t#a
Such was the position we occupied from 1888,
when our contest with the General Government ter
minated to the commencement of the late extra
session, when il became manifest great change had
been effected which could not bat have powerful
influence over our future course. II soon bscame
apparent atler the meeting of Congress- that the joint
resistance of ourselves and our late allies in con-
junction with the course of events in reference 10
the currency had brought down the lofty pretcnsions
Of the Executive Department.
The union between the Government and the money
power, which had greatly strengthed those in autho-
rity at first had not only ceased but they were forced
to take ground against the reunion of the two, and
TO make war against those very banks, which had
been the instruments of their power and aggrandizc
ment Forced to take this position, and Invested in
great measure OF patronage and influence from the
exhausted state of the Treasury, they were COM
PEELED 10 fall back, the only means OF saving them
selves on the principles of 1927, by which we had
elected from office the National Republican party,
and to which our portion Of the old parry of ~ have
infexiby adhered, but from which, the oher ad-
herring the Administration, had sogreatly departed
in practice As soon as saw this state Of things,
clearly perceived that very important question was
presented for our determination, which were
compelled to decide forthwith; shall we continue
our joint attack, with the Nationals, on those in
power, in the new position which they have been
compelled to occupy Il was clear, with our joint
forces, we could utterly overthrow and demoliSh
them, bat II was not less clear that the victory would
nure, not to us bu! exclusively TO the benefit OF our
allies and their cause. They we're the most numer-
GUS and powerful, and the point of assault on The
position which the party to be assaulted had taken in
relation to the banks, would have greatly strength