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

department, that it is possible TO explain
how Mr.. Calhoun found time for prepar-
ING his numerous reports, which are not
surpassed by our ablest public documents,
particularly those on our Indian affairs,
and the reduction of The army; for the des-
patch of the immense mass of unsettled
accounts of the war; for the examination
of the claims for revolutionary pensions;
the thorough resuscitation OF the military
academy, the establishment Of discipline
? and rigid economy in the army; COM
pIcle reorganization, which gave us at
the expense of force of six thousand
men, so Offered as to be capable of prompt
enlargement; peace establishment hav-
ing the military capacity, and defensive
power Of thirty thousands the saving Of
: our maritime frontier; the institution of a
system of permanent Notifications for our
coast; the establishment Of a Gordon OF
military posts, stretching from the upper
lakes around our western frontiers; and
finally, for his duties as a leading and in
huentaI member of Mr.. Monroe's able
and enlightened cabinet.
In the second term of Mr.. Monroe's
Presidency, the question Of the choice OF a
successor agiated the country, and Mr.,
CaIhoun's name was brought forward with
those of four other distinguished candi-
dates. Events had turned the controver-
sv, so far as he was concerned, more par
tcuIarIy between his friends and those of
Mr. Crawford, on the subject of Con
gressonal caucus, as the means of desig-
mating the chief magistrate. Mr. CAL
houn believed that, in consequence OF
great increase of the patronage of
the government, it was dangerous to
place thus in the power Of the President,
the choice of his successor; through his
influence over the members of Congress,
and took decided stand against it. In
the progress o! the canvass, Mr.. Calhoun
name was withdrawn so as to strengthen
the probability of a choice by the people,
and consequently 10 lessen the hazard Of
the election being devolyed upon the
House of Representatives. The contest
terminated in returning Gen. Jackson, Mr..
Adams, and Mr.. Crawford as the three
highest candidates to the house, and the
ulootio,. Of n1r. Oainoun by large major
ity of the people as Vice President We
cannot dwell on the events which succeed
ed. During the whole canvass Mr.. Cal
houn bore very kind personal and politi-
cal re Iations with both the leading candi-
dates; but acting on the principle which
had placed him in opposition TO Congress
sionaI caucus, he did not hesitate TO avow
his opinion, that the members of the
House, in discharging the high duties de-
volved on them, ought to act in reverence
and subordination to the will of the peo-
pie. He was necessarily, therefore, plac-
ed in opposition, which at the end Of the
term, overthrow the administration, and
terminated in the election of Gen. Jack
son as President, and the reelection of
himself as Vice President
Il is admitted that Mr.. Calhoun conferr-
ed upon the Vice-Presidency dignity
and character worthy of the station. His
decisions gave universal satisfaction, with
one exception, the circumstances OF which
were remarkable, viz: his decision in re-
gard to the power of the Vice President,
as presiding officer of the Senate, to call
a Senator to order for uords spoken in
debate. The Senate at no period had
been in such a state Of excitement. Mr..
Mr.. Calhoun was known to be opposed to
the administration. 1t was the first case
which had occurred, and the principle on
which the decision rested was novel. The
Constitution gives each House the pow
err OF establishing lis rules of proceed
ing, and there existed at this time no rule
in the Senate which gave the Vice Presi-
dent the power in question. Accordingly,
while those who took the opposite view
contended that the Vice-President possess
ed this power inherently under the Con-
sttution, as the presiding officer of that
: tody, Mr. Calhoun decided that as the
rules did not confer the power, either ex'
, pressly, or by implication, he did not pos
sess it, believing if he possessed it under
| the Constitution there could be no appeal
to the Senate, and the freedom of debate
in !rnt bvdy would depend upon the plea
sure of an officer who held his place indie
pendent of it. Satisfied with the correct.
ness of his decision, Mr.. Calhoun evinc.
ed not the slightest Impotence at the
clamor which followed. He calmly and
confidently left his conduct to abide the
result of the cooler, and more mature in
vestigation. The result has proved thai
a good cause may be left TO the quiet op
Grafton Of time. After the lapse of two
years, the senate without any movement
of his friends took up the subject, after a
full examination and discussion, Mr.. Cal
houn's decision received the deliberate
sanction of that body
This brings us down TO period so neal
the present time, that il is not necessary