New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-03-11
life Of Calhoun.

Boy, aud Girls, see Last Page.
Life of Calhoun.
The Harpers have just published in large and
cheap octave pamphlet of "a pages :" LIFE OF
JOHN C. CALHOUN, presenting condensed
History of Political Events from 1911 to ls43. :"
We have hardly been disappointed in looking
through it, to find it rather partisan gloss than
history-rather an Apology than Life. Its ac-
count of Mr.. Calhoun's efficient and leading advo-
cacy of the Tariff of 1916, the y. S. Bank then
chartered, and the system of National Internal In
provements, is essentially halting and unfaithful
being contradicted by Mr.. Calhoun's own cotem-
poraneous Speeches and Reports. This is very
miserable. All intelligent men (perhaps We should
except Mr.. C. himself,) know that he is not the
donsd tho high ground of National and practical
Statesmanshp he held in 1850, and gone square
over to the opposite or Abstractionist Schuol, OF
which he is now the able and respected leader ana
champion. Berwe-n tie Calhoun OF 1916 and
him of I343 there is m immense chasm, never,
we presume, to be repassed. We do not dlstrust
his present sincerity; we admit and are proud
patience with his sophistical, hair.sptting at
1empts to prove his Bank and Anti Bank,
Tariff and n,i-Tarif, National Road and Anti
National Road, doctrines of different eras,
perfectly consistent and identical. 1t is of piece
with Mr. Webster Cor rather his injudicious
friends) sometimes seeking to deny or conceal that
he was an aHti-War Fedcralist and to pass him of
P,,ro nf ha
Patchogue sense of the tenn. No man of good
sense and good information really thinks the less
of Mr.. Webster for opposing policy and war
which his judgement condemned; he may have
erred, but be was as patriotic and sincere IN OPP
posing as Messrs. Clay, Calhoun and others were
in advocating the War. Itis only when an attempt
is made to suppress distort the truth that
popular impression is created that that truth Gov
ers something that would not bear the light. Here
in our own city leading anti-War Federalists-
Hon. David B. Ogden, fox instance-have been
often candidates before the People for important
stations, and vehementiy asseiled on account OF
their anti-War votes and speeches, yet they re-
ceved the full vote of those who concurred with
them the present ruling political topic, including
thousands Of War Democrats of 1913. These
voters cared nothing for on honest difference on
questions now obsolete, but they would have been
repealed by psltering or attempted concealment.
We say, then, that this attempt of MIR. Celhoun's
friends to obscure the great radical change Of
opinions and position which his career exhibits,
undertakes the intelligence of the American People,
and does injury to the of their champion.
They ought rather to admit the change. of their
chief from the National to the State Rights school
of politics, and exhibit his reasons for it, thereby,
if possible, inducing others to follow his example.
How striking is the contrast to their course pre-
scented by that of HENRY Clay, WHO, whom charged
with changing his ground on the Bank question,
responds" Yes. sirs il is very that opposed
"a National Bank in 18II the speech you quote
is my speech--it contains frank expression OF
the opinions then held on the subject. But FIVE
Years OF painful National experience convinced
me had been wrong-that Bank was neces-
sary TO the Country, both in relation to its Cur
rency and its Revenues; and on the very next
casion that offered, l avawed the convictions
winch eline and National suffering had produced
ana 20 tnese convictions have ever since add
hered. am nos ashamed of having grown wiser
by experience and on this only Of all great Ma.
tionsl questions have changed my ground:
Judge from the arguments and facts I now sub
a.is TO you whether had or had not good reason.'
How noaly does this compare with the method of
the author of this Life of Calhoun who p. as)
endeavors to discreait the con,emporaneous re-
port of Mr.. Calhouns speech in 1916 in favor of
chas.ering U. S. Bank, not truly presenting
his views on the subject
Several inpor,aas points in Mr. calhouns ca
7eer are slurred over, especially tho events con-
necsed with the blowing up of Gen. Tackson's first
Cabinet on account of Mrs. Eaton. We presume
This was dictated by supposed political neces-
city, put it detrscts from the permanent value of