Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-07-22

Our first choice of candidate for the
Presidency Of the United States, for the
next term, is-beyond and above every
other living man in the Union-that great
Southern patriot,
JOHN C. CALHOUN.
We shall, hereafter, enter into full
discussion Of the advantage to the
Democratic party in nominating this gen.
tleman for the Presidency. We have
room now but to make comment or two.
MIR. Calhoun is known throughout the
country as of irreproachable moral char
acter. He has no political chicanery
himself, and doubts its existence in others
without the fullest evidence. Indeed, had
he possessed little more of what the
hackneyed in public life call political sa.
gacity, but which often approximaies 10
political roguery, he would long ere this
have been President. But he has relied
rather upon his own established reputa-
lion as an honest statesman, a thorough
scholar, and sound moralist, than upon
greatness acquired by accomplished wire.
pulling. TalIeyrandIsm he has always
repudiated as unworthy of free people.
Mr.. Calhoun is also known as the old,
interchangeable, and consistent advoe ate of
CHEAP GovERNMENT-not merely theo.
Ietically cheap, but practically so. We
have no doubt that four years of Mr.. Cal
houn's administration would reduce the
expenses one half Salaries would be
trimmed down-useless ornamental Offices
abolished sinecurists, who now lei.
surely pick their teeth over fat pay with
out labor, would have 10 seek some other
means of living.
We hardly need say that Mr.. Calhoun
is known as Democrat. No one denies
it. His whole, brilliant political career
is before the people. 1t stands boldly ont,
like the sun in midheaven. As an ex-
poster of the philosophy of human rights,
where lives his equal on The whole surface
of the twenty-sx States? AS the ardent,
consistent, eloquent advocate of Demo
cratic measures, who has excelied him?--|
Who has waged nobler bate for the
rights Of man! And who, in the strife of
Senatorial conroversy-where IRON joint
ed giants grapple together--has left the
floor with more or greener lauresY
Mr.. Calhoun is radical Democrat, and,
we're he in the Presidential chair, would
do more than any other man could, for
the elevation OF the masses. On his FREE
TRADE doctrines, the South and West go
for him like whirIwind, while we believe
he would also have nearly all of New
England.
It cannot be concealed thai, if we are
TO succeed in the next Presidential con.
test, it must be by additions to our ranks
from our opponents of 1910. If we can
not secure those additions, we must con-
tinuc in the minority. Now. Mr.. Cal.
houn's views on free trade, and his oppo.
stion to high tariff, will secure the votes
of the great body of the more Democratic
of the Whigs-votes which no other but
Mr.. Calhoun can command.
The masses of the people-by whatev.
er party name they may be called-are
essentially right. They are the sincere
advocates Of human equality, without dis
tinctIon. In short, they are ANTI MoNoP.
oLIsrs, fully strongly, honestly. And this
will be the actual issue before the nation
in 1914. John G.. Calhoun is every
where known as the avowed enemy Of
monopolies. His position, in contest
on such question, would insure the most
triumphant success.
Upon this matter we wish to be fully I'M
derstood. We do not press Mr.. Calhoun's
claims to the Presidency. No man has a
claim to that offiic, and :hose who use the
word show but little knowledge OF the real
nature Of our free institutions. We shall
urge Mr.. Calhoun's name upon the atten-
ton ofthe people Of Maine upon the ground
that he is profound statesman and an
honest Democrat--and that, under him,
we shall be more certain of victory.
For Mr.. Van Buren, we have the most
exalted respect, both as man and a Dem
ocrat. We worked for him in 1910 as we
never worked for man before, and should
he receive denomination, we should do
all in our power to reseat him in the Pres
idential chair. But we should enter upon
the work under great doubt of ultimate
success. The hundreds of thousands OF
Democrats who left him in lS40, wrongly
as we think, will never rally again uuder
his name. II has with them lost all pow
er. But give them neU name, and that
mighty force will act with us again almost
to a man
We have thus stated our preference,
and barely alluded to few of the reasons
for it. But this preference is expressed,
subject to the decision ola National Con-
vention pheneper held, Uhereuer held, and
hODerer rOting. Il Portland (Me.) Amer.
lean.