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

other political opponents Why, then, should 1 be
ashamed Of them, or cast them away because they
contain opinions in several particulars, which now,
after more than quarter of a century, do not ap
prove: Should | be ashamed to acknowledge, that
have lived improve, and have had tie 10
and The frmness TO correct eary errors' No am far
from repudiatng these my youthful Efforts
Their very errors lean 10 the side OF he county,
They belong the times, and grew of feel
ngs of patriotism. The danger which hen thren ned
the country was from abroad The overthrow of Ms.
poleon was followed by q combnatio, Of the great
soveregns OF Europe, called the Holy Alliance Its
object hostile TO popular Governments, and it
threatened 10 turn its power against this continent in
order to suppress the free States which Dad sprung out
OF the old Spanish possessions. There then no
knowing at what moment we mi ght be involved in a
contest far terrific than that which had just
minated 1t in this state of things that Congress
called on TO settle the peace establishment the
termination of the late war with England. My atten-
ton was intently turned 10 what believed 10 be the
point of danger; and anxious to put the country
in condition to meet whatever miga come. The
opinions expressed IN reference to manufactures,
ternal improvements, and permanent system of reve
nue., kept constantly in view my leading obiect-pre
paratIon for deence-as much what then said in
reference TO the army, the military academy, and the
navy, as the speeches themselves show.
The danger from without fortunately yassed away,
and that from within began to disclose Isef | was
not slow TO see the strong tendency the Government
taking towards constellation and that many of the
means which | had regarded necessary to defend
against external danger, contributed not little in
crease the danger within. That led to ienvestiga-
ton and that to the modification chang. of opinion
which took place.
So far from casting away desiring to conceal or
keep out of view my early speeches, have long in
tended to collect and publish them. you promise
to publish freely from them. You cannot do me a
greater favor, and hope you will not halt till you
have republished all. | was careless as 10 neglect
preserve copies of my speeches other publications
prior to my election Vice President. Since then
have been more careful. Your republication will give
me copies in a much more convenient form than that
of manuscripts, and much time and trouble
in collecting, and some little expense for copying.
shall preserve carefully the two contained in the In
,egencer sen, by my friend, and shall AXE care to
get such others as you may publish
Let me, in conclusion, say, wish you 10 understand
that make no complaint. So far from II, | feel ra
Their obliged to you than otherwise. BE your motives
what they may, you have afforded me an opportunity
of giving an explanation made necessary by the awk
ard manner in which the volume has been introduced
to the public and in which have been compelled TO
state much that ought to have appeared in preface TO
the volume.
With respect, am, &c.
J. G. CALHOUN.