Southern marksman. [volume] (Clinton, Miss.) 1838-1839, 1839-01-08
From the Columbus Democrat
THE MESSAGE-MARTIN VAN BIZ
REN-IOHN C. CALHOUN.

REN-JOHN e. CALHOUN.
Never. within my recollection, has the
Presidents Message been looked for with
the same intense interest that it has been
on the present occasion; at least, confess,
that the same anxious feeling has never at
any previous period so entirely controlled
me, as did for the few weary days previous
to lis arrival. And why, it may be asked,
this great anxiety? Because | felt that
the destiny Of the Union for good or evil,
was TO great extent dependent on the
patrotism and frmness of our Chief Ma
gisirate in the present crisis. But | had
no right to doubt at this late hour, The firm.
ness ofso well tried Republican as he is,
confess,-yet, from sthe reiterated asser-
tons by the federal press throughout the
land, that Mr. Van Buren, would at length.
shrink from the responsibility that devolvs
ed upon him by his former patriotic course,
respecting a National Bank and IndepeH>
dent Treasury, caused me TO feel uneasy,
lest he should prove heir TO an lnfrmity
too common to our nature. But that test
of all thngs-time, dispelled into thin air.
all my misgivings. The message came, |
read and was delighted. Who that loves
bis country, that elories in oar free insiitu-
tons, and that wishes TO see them trans
mitted to posterity pure and unadulierated
can read and feel the reverse. 1t breathes
throughout the most fervent patriotism, and
is monument of equal light and liberty,
to which republicans OF unborn geuera.
tons will point with love and admiration
On that momentnns measure, the searatlon
OF our government from banks, which was
recommended at the called session, he is
as firm as the adamantine rock. Again
he invites the attention of the peoples rep
resentatives to a reconsideration of this
measure, of which, each days experience
proves the necessity
How graiifying-how delightful; it is
TO the democratic republican, TO review
the scenes, the trials and dangers, through
which the ship Of State has passed since
the spring of 1897. 1t was at that event
full period that the commercial storm arose,
which swept over our happy land, COM
mencing at the north and east and termln-
ating at the south and west spreading ter
ror and dismay through all the ramifica-
lions of society. Now that it is past, we
can view with calmness and consideration
the causes that lasted he stormy sea of
public opinion into foam that threatened
destruction 10 the good old ship. None
can deny, who review with uuiaundiced
eve the history of our country for the four
last years, that it was occasioned by the
harpies that prey on the body polite
the banking institutions of our country, at
the head of which, was the late national
bank, and now, the quasi national bank
of Philadelphia, whose gorgon head struck
terror into many who considered them
selves among the republican ranks Whilst
yet the good ship groaned beneath the rude
blast of the misguided popular storm, our
President stood calm, collected and firm
by the helm of State, with ewes steadily
fixed on the Constitution. the chart of our
liberties, and pointing the course marked
out by the immortal Jefferson, determined
10 sink with the good ship, rather than de-
viate from that course which alone can
guide her with safety down the dark ocean
of futurity, When in this perilous siiua-
ton, he was forsaken by some who pro-
fessed TO be his iriedns, yet. he cared not. |
determined TO die politically an honorable
death, rather than procure dastardly re-
spite. Previous TO this storm, there was
one who assisted TO sail the good ship for
many years, but, had left her to her fate,
because he believed she had taken a wrong
course; he still feltanxious to see her right,
and watched her with concern: he saw the |
storm arise which beat against her with |
redoubled violence because her course had
changed to what he believed was right.
With that manly frmness and patriotism
witch marks the truiy great, when the
impending danger became obvious to him,
he cast aside all previous difference of opin-
ion, embarked regardless of consequences,
in the life boat of liberty, flew TO The res
cue, gained the ship of State and took his
old position This man was JOHN T..
CALHOUN Where IS he, in whose DO,
som vbrates one chord of patriotism
where, the .Jefiersonian republican where
the CaroIiniaD, who does not glow with /
patriotic fervour at the mention of his
name! Point out the man who does not
approve his course, and will show you one
who connot or does not appreciate the in.