Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-10-07

(as, perhaps, our readers will, at any rate
do) of supererogalion, but for the fact tha
most Of the FRIENDS of Mr.. Cahoun hnv
thus far, we think advocated his caus
with an iniudicious and somewhat inloer
ant zeal, more calculated to provoke up
position than TO conclliate. Such cours'
is, parhaps, inSeparabe from the the posi-
lion of an active partisan; and has been
f we fear, by no means confined to the ad
vocates Of Mr.. Calhoun. The anxious
interest which we feel for their success
renders US, however, more alive TO any
false move on their part.
Withdrawn, as is the writer Of this ar
ticle, from all active participation in poll.
tics--neither holding office, nor seeking
it-not editing paper, and only occasion.
ally, indeed, read,ng one-the views pre-.
sented have at least the merit Of being
dlspassionately formed and honestly CIV
Ell.
The considerations which should con-
troll the selection Of the nominating cum
vention, it will not DO disputed, are main
y these two, viz:
LIST. The fitness of The nominee.
ID. His arailabIty
To constitute "ftaeSS," we want man
sound in the Democratic faith, and one
whose talents and character are such as
to afford guaranty that, ii elected, he
will, in the administration Of the high Of
tice to which We propose 10 elevate HIM,
add new lustre to his truth by his works.
The creed Of the party is, perhaps, most
concisely expressed in Mr.. Calhoun'S pi-
thy enumeration, viz: "Free trade; low
duties; no debt; separation from banks;
economy; retrenchment; and a strict ad-
herence to the Constitution"
Whoever departs from this standard, |
just in SO far as he departs, is not pure in
the faith.
Mr.. Calhoun's present profession, sub
jected to this test, is then, lndi,putably Or
thodox. He is objected to, however, on
The ground of change and inconsistency.
Admit that, during the first ten OF the
thirty years of Mr.. CAlhOuR's political lie,
he said and did many things not recon,i,
liable with his present well.known views
and opinions; and what does ii prove, buI
that omniscience belongs to God alono?-
In Him only do we find no change, or
shadow OF turning. The views, judg-
ments, and opinions Of the most gifted OF
created beings, must in the nature OF
things. BIO more or less modified by the
circumstances which surround them. Is
II surprising that Mr.. Calhoun, entering,
as he did, into the counseIs f his country
when she Was Oh the eve of war with the
most powerful nation of the earth--men-
aced from without, and torn 10y faction
within--himSelf young, ardent, enIhueI.
aslic--should as the zeal Us ana leading
advocate OF that war during It's contlnu-
ance, and temporary exhaustion which
followed it have looked with more Ia
vorabIe eye upon an extension Of the
powers Of the Government, than ne has
done since his wisdom has been matured
by increase Of years, varied experience,
and further observation Of the undls-
turbed working OF our complicated system
during a long period fpeDce?
His public life has beea wei! divided in
10 two epochs--rhc first, when, in his
youthful prime, he CALAMITY led the van in
defending his county from foreign az t
yre,sIon; the second, when, IN the m ltun- \
~ of his manhood, he threw himself in the l
breach to protect her from domestic usur /
patton. It viii be remembered, too, thai d
turing the former period it was the Fed I
war party in peace, and
peace party in war--whO were the strict {
using their every effort to Q
weaken Our Government; and the Re- y
,Ublicans in vinichling their country's /
lonor, were thrown into necessary oppU- 4
ilion. Mr.. Calhoun had been, in both I
,pochs, engaged in The defence of the L
;ame citadel from the same enemy, but
rom very different points Of attack. )
He would have been more or less than t
nan, who, under such contrariety Of cir. 1
could have preserved an en- /
ire and thorough consistency. Instead {
If demanding miracle, We should Their t
eel astonishment that, in Ihiriy-lwo years +
If active political life during which NJ. G
Calhoun has stood prominently forth on ev- I
Try leading measure, there should lie 80 I
lite which, even with his present expert {
,nce, he need look back to with regret /
After all has been said, the onl, practical [
purpose Of account OF which we need in- t
luire into stateman's past views, is to q
enable us the better to determine upon 4
he honesty and permanence Of his pre- /
ent. L
Now, of that sort of consistency which 4
Inspires confidence in the honesty of his t
Intentions, what public man has ever ex-
,ibited more than John {. Calhoun? And c
we venture the assertion, that no reader d
,apabie of understanding him can exam. q
ne the volune Of Mr. Calboun's speeches |