The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-20
From Me Ns.s Era.
JOHN C. CALHOUN.


We have received copy Of the reply Of Mr. Calhoun.
to an invitation from the committee OF arrangements,
to deliver the 4th Of July Grafton in this city
Fort Hin. jane iath, 1889.
| Gentlemsn--I have been honored by your note Of
ne <oth Of May, (receved the 9th inst Informing me
mat delegates Of the democratic republican party from
me several wards OF your city had selected me 70 de-
dependence
! acknowledge with gratitude the honor Of being
seecied by numerous aud respectable portion OF
my eho" citizens 10 distant section Of thu Union on
sheh on OCCASION and duly sensible Of the oblga-
uoh winch " imposes but the great distance aud my
numerous and indispensable engagements render it ut
terly impossible for me to accent
Among other grounds TO which Won have alluded.
you have referred the part have recently taken ia
the Senate, Of the that favorable OPT
MON towards me which has led the intended honor
that am reluctantly compelled to decline. Permit
to say IN taking the position which you refer there
were difficulties of the formidable character in the
way, but had they been enfod greater they could not
have deferred me from the took, % mperious
was the sense OF duty under which acted. The cur
rency was no new question with me. For many years
u had been The subject Of my reflection and the source
OF deep soicitude and had made up my mind when
the time arrived that would force il on the attention OF
the country and government to the part would take
II then on the stage OF action.
The arrangement to which country is subjected
. i
and in spite OF every effort correct it, will grow from
bad TO worse, until some great and radical change 10
effected. In the meantime, the community 10 destined
to pass through Of difficulty and danger greater
than any heretofore experienced, unless the people
should be timely aroused apply etfci-nt remedy 70
the growing disorders. hold il almost impossible that
there should be any state Of things coropting to
morals more dangerous to free Institutions or more
paralyzing to industry, than uncertain. yaclating
currency, under the control Of private cupidy, such az
lie. / ma hiatt he
whose property exists in stocks and securities are not
the first it aud take the alarm. They ought to
see that the gains from the irregular working OF such
system must be but momentary and iaiacious; and
must be followed by Storm If permitted to progress,
which will such acquisitions as leaves before
tornado In taking my stand against the system, no
partial or local considerations governed me. stood
up for what honestly and sincerely believed to be the
morality the freedom and prosperity OF the country,
actuaed BY enmy class section, but believing
that was setting the part Of true friend Of all those
who for the time its victims
Whether in this mistaken, am content 70
leave to time and experience to decide. mus iaf
have seen nothing to shake my opinion, but much 70
confirm 1t, much to animate me to perseverance IN the
have TAKEN till effec,ual remedy Is applied
to this among the most dangerous evils that can beia
the country "....-.
For the very kind manner in which you have com
municated the wishes Of those you represent yon will
please accept my sincere acknowledgements. ! cannot
bit be highly gatied to learn that many Of my old
friends your great metropolis have not forgotten me,
and | do you that few things would afford me
more pleasure than would opportunity to renew my
acquaintance with them, well to form u with those
more recent friends whose appreciation have been so
fortunate gain. in the trying scenes through which
have more recently passed s
Though circumstances will not permit me to accept
the honor proered and be present at your ceebra-
ton il will not trust be consd cred intrusion TO
offer the following sentiment:
Equality, in its broadcast sense, of rights and priv-
leges between citizen and citizen, pursuit and pursuit.
and one portion OF the country and another the deep
and solid foundation Of political fabric preserve
that, and all is safe--destroy it, and the whole would
rush headlong TO the dust"
To Richard J. Smith. Steven II. Harris, and
c. II. Doughcrty, Esqrs.