The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-08-05


letter from Mr.. Calhoun, in reply TO some s'ric'
lures by The editor ON recently published vo-
ume Of his speeches, which we commend 10
the reader:
FoRr HlLL, July %, ie43.
AIessrs. GALES * SEAros 1 have just received
from friend the National inteiigencer Of the I'm
and 18th instant, containing your remarks on Vo-
lume recently published by the HarPers OF New York.
entitled Speeches of Mr.. Calhoun, delivered IN The
Congress of the United States from 1911 TO the pre-
sent time Your remarks are headed, " Political
Hislory-S Suppressed Speeches Of MIR. Calhoun. -
&c Suppressed is strong word. The highest auiho-
rites define il to be, put down, destroyed, concealed
and your remarks leave no doubt that you intended
10 il in the strongest and most offensive sense
that u.s. that they have been Intentionally omitted in
the compilation in order to give partial and false
view Of my opinions; and, for that purpose, false
title was given to the volume To the truth Of this
you pledge indirectly your word by heading your re-
marks Political History" The charge is grave
one, and made in an imposing manner, and if true
the imposition would deserve the public reprobation
The question: then, is Is il truc' Let facs answer
The title is, indeed false--fasc every way. 1t CO.
much that s-rcports, letters, and other writings.
You have noticed the former, and called public atten
ton IT, but not the latter, though equally obvious
aud very material in determining whether the falsity
Of the title is mere fraudulent attempt at
imposition. The one might, with some plausibility,
be construed to be an attempt at imposition but II Is
impossible for any ingenuity SO to construe the other
1t is impossible to assign to It fraudulent object
But if the one is an error, why not the other' In
fact the very grossness Of both leave no doubt
that they merely II not possible to open
the volume without detecting them The title covers
all the speeches of MIR. Calhoun from 1871 when he
entered Congress- till the present time while the vo-
lume contains but one speech prior to 1888 Again
it omits to mention anything but speeches, when of
the first four Of his productions of which the compi-
lation is composed. only one is speech. To make
its grossness more palpabe, all these are headed
" Speeches =" Has fraud ever been known to do its
work in so clumsy a manner 1t is idle to waste
words on thing SO plain The whole title is gross
bunder, of which have much greater reason to
plain than any else. 1t looks much more like an
attempt to injure me than to impose on the public.
], however, can suspect nothing of the kind How
it happened know not is il material, so far as
it relates TO the object of this communication but
deem due to myself to state all that know about
it,
1t so happens have never yet seen the volume.
the title and the advertisement not long since lo'
the first time. was, as may be imagined indignant
at the blunder wrote Immediately to a friend
who took interest in the publication and CORE
sponded with the publishers and pointed out the blur
ders in the title and the objections to the advertise
ment, and suggested the corrections that should De
made, which requested him to have done forthwith.
1t was too late. received his answer few days
since. He informed me that he had perceived the
bunders before he got my letter, and had prepared
correction, but, owing to some delay in the transmits
sion, it was not received in time. 1t may be proper
to add that the title suggested Gas well can
collect) was, GA selection from the speeches, re-
nors. and other writings Of Mr. Calhoun, subsequent
10 ms election as vice r,UridU.s U.;sel Sai.s
including his leading speech the late war; delivered
10 1911" TWAS drawn up to make it full and accu-
rate-to cover the whole, and no more. So mu,h for
the title
l come to the selee ton or compilation and
here take all the responsibility. Ii was done b, nc
and if there be any fraud or concealment / am
chargeable In order that your readers may judge,
shall state the reasons which governed in mixing
the selection.
II is proper to premise that have been urgcdfrom
various quarters, in the last six or seven years TO
have my speeches collected and published and have
during the same period received numerous applica-
iions for copies Of my speeches in pamphlet FORM
with which could not comply, because | had not
hoe baa IL
the people in connexion with the Presidency spplica
tons for copies have increased, and have been
frequently urged TO collect and publish my speeches.
reports, and other writings political subjects.
finally consented TO the publication, because / be-
eved II TO be due to the people, in the position
cupy, TO afford them the Of ascertaning, the
opinions and sentiments entertain on all political
subjects, particularly those which have agitsted
the country Of late, and on which the Presidential
election will probably in great measure turn. That
believed could best be done by publishing what had
said and WI itten on those questions in form which
would make the work accessible to the People 1t
would give my opinions and sentiments in the fullest
and most authentic form, and in a manner much more
consoDant 10 my feelings tn by popular speeches
made for the occasion, or personal canvass.
10 ehec' tue ooJec'i " was not only necessary uat
selection should be made, but that it should be made
from the later and not the earlier Of my speeches
and other discussions political subjects. To pub
lsh all have said written in the long period Of
thrtytwo years, in which have been without, inter-
mission in public life, would make the work too bulky
and expensive To be accessible 10 the great body Of
the community; and to publish those Of early date
instead Of those of late, would not give the nforma
ton intended. accordingly fixed on the termina-
ton Of Mr.. MoSnoE's administration, when became
Vice President, the period from which to make the
selection. That may be fairly regarded as the point
Of time in our political history which marks the end
Of an old and the commencement of new order Of