Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-10-22
Number g.

correspondence, and the vindication of his
own conduct which it contains. We pass
over all these, and come to that portion
of his political life which his friends con-
fdently believe will hereafter be the most
distinguished, and will most strongly mark
his character with posterity. We mean
that which followed the passage OF the
tariff of 1923, and the part which he ielt
himself compelled to take in resistance to
and oppressive act, in order to arrest
course of events which he clearly per-
ceived, at that early period, would grow
out OF .he measure, and which he was I'M
der deep conviction would terminate, II
not arrested, in the destruction ct the lib
erty and the constitution OF the country,
or in the dis solution of the Union. APP
pretending, from what he saw In the pas
sape of the tariff act of 1928, that the ex-
pectations of the friends of an equal sys-
tenn of benefits and burdens in reference
TO the protective system, and thorough
reformation of the government, and resto-
ration Of the constitution to ITS primitive
principles, which he deemed necessary TO
the preservation of the country, could not
be realized in any other way, he turned
his attention from that time to the sOrer-
eighty of the States, and their reserred
rights as the only certain means OF effect
ing these objects, the salvation OF our IN
stlution, and of the Union. The result
was, that view of our system which recog'
nized each State as a sovereign party to
the political compact, right TO declare an
act of Congress, which 1t believes to be
unconstitutional, to be null and void, and
of course not obligatory upon its citizens,
and to arrest the execution of such an act
within its limits. This doctrine which
was rendered so unpopular under the name
of notification, is maintained to be clear
ly contained in the Virginia and Ken.
lucky resolutions,* is more fully stated
and carried out in the discussions to which
it gave rise in the controversy be-
tween South Carolina and the general gov
eminent. In these discussions, the pa
pers prepared by Mr.. Calhoun constitute
striking part. a-
The first of these papers attributed to
tnaH ne EXPOSITION OF M SCUM Caro-
lima Legislature in the Session of 1928,
in which full and very original view is
taken of the relations between the States
and the general government, and the OPP
Grafton of the productive system as ef-
fecting unequally the two great sections
of the Union. This was followed, in
1880, by statement drawn up by Mr..
Calhoun, containing his opinion on the re-
/ Al tntn oil,
government, in Difference to public opin-
ion, which seem to demand an exposition
of his views on subject which then be-
gan so deeply to agitate the country. The
open avowal of doctrines then considered
by many little short of treason, which
he knew would separate him from many
of his political friends, on conviction of
duty, and without regard to the effect it
would have upon his popularity, required
a frmness of purpose and deep and So
lemn sense of duty which few possessed.
Subsequently, at Governor Hamlton's re.
quest, he addressed him letter, in which
the subject is more amply discussed, and
which acquired for Mr.. Calhoun a reputa-
ton for ability and candor even among
those who did not approve his doctrine.
The payment of the public debt, with
ont a satisfactory adjustment of their tar
if, brought on a crisis which will long be
remembered. South Carolina carried out
her doctrine; a convention OF the people
was called in their sovereign capacity,
and the protective acts declared unconsti-
tutoual, and therefore void and no law.
At the call of the State, Mr.. Calhoun re-
signed his office of Vice-President of the
United States, and was elected Senator in
| Congress, and took his seat in that body to
defend her cause, which be believed TO be
the cause of liberty and the constitution.
His re-appearance, after so many years,
on the floor of deliberative body, was
under circumstances the most trying that
can be conceived. He and his colleague
stood almost alone. The cause was uni
versaly unpopular, and regarded as syn
onymous with disunion and treason. I'm
der these circumstances, with all the dis.
advantage of not having spoken in pub
! lie assembly for more than sixteen wears,
he had to meet the joint array of talents,
both of the administration and the oppo-
sition. In this trying juncture, he ac-
quilted himself so well, that the tide of
public opinion which SO strongly set a
gainst him at the beginning of the ses-
sion, turned in his favor, and those not
convinced by his arguments, felt a. least
conviction of his sincerity and patriotism.
The contest was mainly between Mr.. Cal.
houn and the distinguished Senator from
Massachusetts, Mr.. Webster, the princi-
pie point in issue between whom was final
ly reduced to the naked question, whether
| nnr constitution is Or Is nnf a cn,nnn.t l.