The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-02-03
REMARKS OF MR.. CALHOUN,

that the Independent ITe6S@'9 I1'.
sought to be forthwith repealed, and thar
the Committee on Finance be instructed
to report a bill accordingly. :,
The Resolution having been advocated
bv MIR. CLAW, and opposed by Mr.. Wright
Mr.. CALHOUN said he had supposed
that the party about to come into power,
,uould have been content with their decl-
sive victory. and that the business of the
session would be allowed to go on quietly,
without calling up any of the exciting to-
pics that entered into the late canvass, or
anticipating the measures belonging pro-
perly to the coming administration. Inc
country has Just passed through one OF the
most exciting canvasses it ever han' anu
il is time it should have repose; and ne,
for one, had determined. if it should not'
il twouId not be his fault. Without adver.
ting TO the past, he had made up his mind
to wait and form no opinion till General
Harrison had assumed his high and re.
sponsible office, and developed the prin-
ciples and policy on which he intended to
administer the Government, in an official
and responsible form. If he should IN
good faith, by practice as we'll as prefes-
sion, adopt the course which the Senator
from Kentucky [Mr. Clay] has assured us
he would-if his administration shall be
one of retrenchment and economy, deep
and thorough, for they are both much
needed; if it shall be opposed to national
debt, funded or unfunded; if against the
Improper extension of Executive patron
age as the means of rewardiag mere par,
tizan service; and if, finally, as lntlmated
in the canvass, by the distinguished sena,
tor from Massachusetts, Mr.. Webster!
il should be conducted on the good old
but much derided doctrines OF Jefferson
it should not only have his approbahon'
but his cordial and hearty support, not
withstanding his objections to the means
by which his election was secured.-but
he would rather have these declarations
officially from General Harrison himself
than from the honorable Senator, howe
yer high his authority might be consider
ed. l (said Mr.. Calhoun) never have play
ed, and never intend to play the game OF
in and out in politics. 1t is unsuited to
the nature of our Government, and un-
beco ming those invested with the high
and sacred trust of administering it. His
course was immovably made up. He
would give the coming Administration
his support in all measures which his
Judgment approved, and opposition to all
which it disapproved; and, if he was
found in systematic opposition, it would
be because of systematic departure from
the principles and policy which he believ.
ed to be essential to the prosperity and
liberty of the Union.
With these views, he could not, with :
the Senator of N. Y, regard with plea
sure the introduction Of this resolution
On the contrary, he regarded it with re-
gret, because it was calculated to keep up
The excitement Of the late canvass, and
prevent the repose which naturally fol-
lows the deep agitation through which
the country has just passed, and which is
necessary to that calm review, without
whichitis is impossible to correct past er-
rors, and turn them to profitable account
in future. Let the people have an inter-
val of eight or nine months, from the
end OF this session to the commencement
of the next, TO think over calmly, and de-
liberately the past, and the course that
ought to be taken hereafter, and much
profit will result to the country. Viewed
in this light, he not only regretted the in
PRODUCTION of the resolution, but the
ground on which the Senator puts the re- /
peal of the measure contemplated He
assumes the ground that the people had
decided against the Sub Treasury in the
late election. He (Mr. Calhoun) doub-
ted the fact. The election decided no
thing but that Gen. Harrison should be
elected President for the next term; and
he entered his solemn protest against the
attempt to make any other inference the
basis of our official action; and in doing
so, he took the ground taken by the Sem
ator and those with whom he acted, when
it was attempted to construe in similar
manner, former election to have decided !
against the renewal Of the charter of the
United States Bank, and in favor Of Ger.
tain measures to which he was opposed.
He (Mr. Calhoun) regarded every attempt
at such inference to be dangerous and un-
constitutional. No one had higher re.
gard for the voice of The people than he
had; but he could only recognise it, in
his official acts, when pl onounced through
its nroner oruan and on the subiect ard |