Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-08-15

NAV be wrong, and they right. may even expos
myself 10 the charge Of being ast'dIous, but as IN
conclusion to which have cone ~ the result OF U"
deliberate Judgment, after iuIi Iehecoon aih onu"
To respecl II And trust that such OF my TRENDS
think me wrong, Will pardon Inc error from iespeo
the motive which governs me-
With these remarks and an expression oil very SIN
cere gratitude for the high estimate whch my ireho
of Hamilton county have placed on my pubic services
and The interest they feel for my success would con
cnd. nv answer TO your letter, if did not feel tina
some,b,n, more Than the bare statement OF the rule
ha ve adoned was due TO them and 10 the OCCASION
REGARD with great respect, the relation "hich pu'
man holds 10 those Who approve oil his principles ah'
conduct and support his course. lie rs, III my 'p'
MON bouud among other things, TO pay great respec
10 their onnous and wishes, and when he cannot con-
form IN them il is his duty TO assign freely ana can
didlv the reasons which may prevent num- In co"'-
p,ance with that duty, propose TO assign briefly some
of the more prominent OF those which governed the "
COMING IN the conclusion which comPels me TO decline
the kind and pressing invitation OF which you are The
organ.
There are them in my opinion strong considerations
both of nroorietv ard expediency, why The Office o.
Prcs;den, Of the u S. should not be sought by per
sonal canvass or the usual modes OF eec,loneer'ng
REGARDED merely in reference TO feeling, the office
il seems to me- is too high and lis duties too respon
s,bIe 10 he the object of personal socitude VINO
with the proper spirit, can contemplate the tash
d,scharrn Ms high duties without being inspired viii
d,fdene, and awe calculated TO suppress every iee
mo of the kind? When look al the country as II
now 10 and compare il with what it was, when frs
entered the councils Of the Unon il relates to The
population wealth, mprov ments, and all the elements
of ureatness-and then look forward 10 what II WI
be when those who are now entering on the stage
shall retire, provided liberty, institutions, anc
union shall be preserved-and then reflect on the
great and decisive influence which the powers vested
IN the President have, in that respect, for good
or evil as they may be properly or improperly exer
cised To me it seems to be the highest and most re-
sponsibe office in the word-far too much SO TO be
the object of personal so!icude, sought by per-
snnal canvass, ever TO be accepted on any other
y ound than that of duty.
Nor i'm nv opinion, are the considerations Of eSpe
dency less strong Regarded in that light hold II
all important the successful operation Of system
of government, that the highest Office Of the Union
should be the exclusive reward of merit and services
snch as may be we'll known TO the whole country-so
TO enable the people at large TO form just estimate
of their value and Of the character and motive OF HIM
who rendered them. In order to understand the force
Of the POSITION 1t will be necessary 10 bear IN mnd,
that no other cause has 50 powerful an influence IN
forming the character of people under free and popu-
lar Governments, and, through it, over their destiny,
as The by which It's Offices and honors may be
most successfully acquired. Whatever they may be
whether eec,ioneering, management, intrigue cor
rupon, patronage faithful and patriotic servces-
that will be most carefully studied and cultivated
by the aspiring and talented. And, be 1t which II
may the influence which lis study and practice will
have on their character, will, by necessary conse
quence extend in time to the Of the community
either TO debase and corrupt, or elevate and pu'
rlfy, its tendency may be to the one or The other
It this be true, applied generally, TO Offices and
honors, how much strikingly must il appear to
be when applied, in our system OF government, Ia
the office OF Presdent-the highest and most honorable
by far of ALL and having at it's disposition many others
much valued than any in the gift Of the States
or the people And how important is it, that it should
be made the exclusive reward of services and merit
the only means by which IT can be acquired, calculated
elevate and purify the character of those who aspire
to its high distinction, and through their example, the
whole commurity-l might add, the only one by which
II can be sought and acquired which would not have
debaslng and corrupt,ng tendency. How important
then, is, that all others should be dscountenanced IN
the Presidential canvass except an open and manly ap
peal TO services and merit. Is 1t saying too much, 10
assert, that the fate of free institutions and the
country, must in no small degree depend on correc
mode OF thinking and acting the part Of the people
in reference TO a subject of such ma gntude
Such are some of the considers atoms which have in
duced me to adopt the rule | have. There are Others
of much weight which forbear 10 press, 10 avoid pro
xty. Acting in obedience TO IT, must fnrego the
pleasure which it would otherwise afford me to accep
the invitation which you have so kindly rendered Il
vsit your magnificent portion Of the Union. Be as
sured that feeling Of indifference towards it, my
friends IN that quarter, has in the least s.ayed
declining 10 accept. | have ever had the kndes, feel
ngs towards the West. have regarded It's progress in
population, wealth and improvement, with pleasure ant
admiration, and have omitted no opportunity Ia aecol
erate its growth.
With great respect, am, &C. &c,
J. e CALHOUN.
To w. NJ. Cory, E. Fisher, j. L. Waiter, S Hulse
and w. +. Johnson Esqrs.