Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-04
POLITICAL.
(FrJm TIC .Aia';onai MtH,gsneer.)

NAsIilSG. oN. Dec. II. 1871.
NIe.srs Gales & Sealon On my way Ia this place
saw. for the first time. at Peters, u.g, Virginia, in The
IntelEurncer Of that place, the following article, which
/ would be obliged to you {" insert in your paper OF TO-
morrow, or next day, with my remarks, that follow:
With respect, }. CALHOUN.
MIR. Caihoun's lnte summrrses, it y would seem, was as
sudden as il was unexpected. We invite attention I"
the following apparently we'll authenticated facts. which
We find narrated in the last Salisbury az. Watch
man -Lynchbnrg Firginnn.
w made some remarks, not long since, on the
awkward predicamenl in which MIR. Calhoun had placed
many IF his admirers by the Sub. Treasury scheme -
There a:e many gentlemen who say they heard MIR.
Calhoun denounce TINT scheme as he went on To wash
inrlon city last August. At Charlotte, IN particular.
the Judge then holding the Superior Court, with several
gentlemen Of the bar. also a nurnbrr of intelligent Gill.
zcns Of Charlotte. called on MIR Calhoun, and they con
cur in saying That he then t:sapprnved OF the Sub.Trea-
sury plan: that he spoke freely and unrescrvcdly on the
subject, and at considerable length These gentlemen
had mentioned MIR. CaIhoun's conversation before his
change Of opinion was ever spoken OF, and when that
was fist suggested, some Of his friends denied the icct,
and atverted to this interview TO disProVe what was
then regarded as a aust pi;iiul SANDER.
"Bui this is not the only sadden turn over Of MIR. Cal
houn's. His vote to Withhold The 4lh ins'nImeut of the
surplus revenue from the States, was more poIntcdly IN
consistent with his recent opinions On the same Trip
to Washington, in company with several members Of Inc
House Of Representatives, he deprecated the proposal in
the most emphatic terms, and declared that the OPposI-
ton ought to insist on the execution OF the deposite la"
IF ,e had to tnkc the money in rags. Mr.. Thompson of
s. C., and Mr.. A. II. Sheppard OF our own Stale, heard
him make this declaration frequently, and If any one
doubts il, he can moi only get The testimony OF these gen
tlemen, but that Of several private individuals, who are
near at hand, bnt who ore aversc to have their names
drawn into 4 political controversy unless it be necessary
So that MIR. Calhoun has not only placed his friends IN
an awkward prcdicasnent, but himself IN a slil more
awkward one"
1t has been a rule with me. from which have rarely
departed, to pass in silence The misrepresentn lions to
which 1 have been subject, in The discharge of my pub.
lie duties; leaving 1t to my alter conduct to stamp the
charge of ialsehn"d on them. The abnre regard as
forming an exception t" the rule. The reference to time,
place and persons, and its obvious intention to ~impeach
my motives in the part | took at the late extra session,
make it necessary that should notice it. Silence might
imply an acquiescence in its truth.
am charged with holding conversation on my way
to Washington, Inconsistent, with my course in relation
to the currency and the fourth instalment under the de.
posite act, with the express view OF fixing on me a
change Of opinion after my arrival here, with all the
impuiations TO which such IL sudden change would just.
" expose me. repel The charge directly and fully. !
never uttered a sentence on my way here, or al any
time, Inconsistent with my course in relation TO either
subject.
Ia regard to the first, my course may be comprised un-
der the four heads-opposition 10 a National Bank, OPP
position 70 u reunion with the State Banks, support Of u
total separa,ion of State and Banks, and a support Of u
reorganization Of the Treasury Department, 80 as to en-.
able il 10 perform the duties which The separation neces-
sarily devolvcd on it, or y what Is usually called the Sub
Treasury. II is impossible for me to remember, or to
repent, oil that said al Charlotte. arrived there IN the
stare late in the evening, md many OF The Respectable
citizens called on me. The conversation was Tree, md
turned on the subjects for which il was supposed Con.
c,ess was called. But do know that | could not have
said anything, fairly understand, inconsistent with my
course on the currency. had made up my mind un
changeably before left home. against q National Bank,
and n reunion with the State Banks, and for a separation
of Government and banks, and of course, the rc.organ.
;,aiion of The Treasury, or the Sub.Treasury. as several of
nv friends know, aud among Others, MIR. McDulhe, who
will excuse me for using his name 10 put down all cavIl,
where 80 much industry has been employed to misrepre.
sent me. Having made up my mind thus far, in cnntor.
mi,y to principles long entertained and publicly expressed
in debaie on The removal of the deposites, IL is impossi.
HE ,ha, | could hive been guilty Of the folly or profigacy
of saying ANYTHING to the contrary, and which shonlu
be compelled to contradict by my acts IN a short time.
AS TO nv alleged drnunciation OF the Sub Treasury,
have only 10 say, that | have always regarded il mere.
" as the consequence of the separation OF the Govern.
lnept and the banks-a mere question ct detail, The me.
ii, or dement, of which must be determined by the par.
,icnlar uIan moposed; and, us such, have attributed but
little importance TO it, either in debate or conversation.
had no conception, in converslng freely with gentle.
men who sought my opinion, that what | said should be
made the subject of ne wspaper remarks; but since II has,
7 ,elease all present, as far as am concerned, from the
imolied obligations which regulate the laws Of social in
tercourse in such cases among gentlemen, aud without
the observance of which conversation must lose all its
freedom and'pleasure. They have my full assent 10 state
all | said; not a word Of which, if fairly understood, will
he found in conflict with my course.
3 repel the charge Of inconsistency, as 10 the fourth
instalment, with equal direc,ness and fulness. 1t turned
ont that there was no available surplus in the Treasury;
and that, instead of deposlling money with the Suites,
we had 10 borrow to meet the current expenses. The
alternative presented in the Senate was between The
reinforcement Of the fourth inS;alment or borrow money