The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-08-17

The whole of the regular Democratic ticket is
elected in this county by various majorities.
LETTER FROM MR.. CALHOUN
The following is the reply of Mr.. Calhoun 10
an invitation from his friends in Cincinnati 10
visit that city:
FORT HILL, July 9th, I8i3.
GENTLEMEN: was absent from home when your
letter was received covering the resolutions of a
large and respectable meeting of the Democrats of
Hamilton county, inviting me to visit them and the
State Of Ohio, which will explain why my answer
has been so long delayed.
If any thing could induce me to depart from the
course have prescribed for myself, while my name
is before the people for the highest Office within their
gift, it would be the invitation which you have so
kindly rendered in the name of those you represent
The source whence the invitation comes the grounds
which it is rendered, my DESIRE long ent rtained,
to visit the great Valley of the Missssipp-the only
PARTON of the Union have seen--and to meet
the wishes of my friends who have so earnestly ex-
pressed their desire to see me, all strongly impe me
to accept; but to these imposed objection which
to be Is insuperable-my conception Of the proper
course for me to pursue while occupying the position
do. Since have been placed there by my friends,
have received frequent invitations from them in
various portions Of the Union, pressing me to visit
their respective sections In order TO answer them,
it became necessary that should decide, on general
principles, the course it would be proper for me to
pursue accordingly gave the subject my deliberate
consideration. The result was a conviction that
ought not TO accept, and have, therefore, declined
all invitations Of the kind.
! am aware that others, occupying the same posi-
ton as myself, have come to different conclusion
and that tie practice, you state, is different from
that have prescribed for myself In adopting it,
intend no reflection on those who take different
view. 1t is point which each has right to decide
for himself. may be wrong and they right. may
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but as the conclusion to which have come is the
result OF my deliberate judgment, after full refec
ton, am bound to respect It. And trust that such
OF my friends as think me wrong, will pardon the
error from respect to the motive which governs me.
With these remarks, and an expression Of very
sincere gratitude Tor the high estimate which my
friends Of Hamilton county have placed my public
services, and the interest they feel for my success
would conclude my answer to your letter, if did not
feel that something more than the bare statement of
the rule have adopted was due to them and to the
occasion. regard, with great respect, the relation
which public man holds TO those who approve Of
his principles and conduct, and support his course
he is, IN my opinion, bound, among other things, to
pay great respect 10 their opinions and wishes and
when he cannot conform to them, it is his duty 10
assign freely and candidly the reasons which may
prevent him In compliance with that duty, | pro
pose TO assign briefly some of the prominent of
those which governed me in coming the conclusion
which compes me to decline the kind and pressing
invitation Of which you the organ
There are then, IN my opinion, strong coDsidera-
lions, both OF proprlety and eXpediency, why the
office OF the President Of the United States should not
be sought by personal canvass the usual modes of
electioneerng Regarded merely in reference to
feeling, the office, it seems 10 me- is too high and its
duties too responsible TO be the object of personal
solici,ude. Who, with the proper spirit can con-
template the task OF dscharging its high duties with
out being inspired with difIidence and awe calcu
lated TO suppress every feeling OF the kind When
look at the country as it is, and compare it with
what it was, when first entered the councils of the
Union, as 1t relates 10 the population, wealth, i'm
provements, and all the elements Of greatness-and
then look forw ard to what will be when those who
now entering on the stage shall retire, provided
our liberty, institutions, union shall be preserved
and then reflect the great and decisive influence
which the powers vested IN the President must have
in that respect for good or evil they may be pro-
perly or improperly exercised TO me IT seems to be
the highest aud most responsible Office in the world
far too much so TO be the object Of personal solicit
tude, sought by personal canvass, or TO be
accepted on any other ground than that Of duty.
Nor, in my opinion are the considerations of ex-
pediency less strong. Regarded in that light hold
1t all important To the successful operation Of our sys
tenn Of Government, that the highest office of the
Union should be the exclusive reward OF merit aud
services such may he 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
understand the force Of the position it will be neces-
sary to hear in mind, that other cause has pow
erlul influence in forming the character of peo-
pie under free and popular Governments, and through
It, their destiny, the means by which its Off
ces and honors may be most successfully acquired -
Whatever they may be-whether elec,ioneering |
intrigue, corruption. patronage or faith
ful and patriotic servIces-that will be most careful
ly studied and cultivated by the asp ing and talented
And be it which IT may, the Influence which its study
and practice will have on their character, will BY |
necessary consequence, extend in time TO the Of
the community-elther TO debase and corrupt or ele
ate and purify lis tendency may be TO the one or
the other
If this be true, applied generally, TO Offices and |
bonors, how much more strikngy must it appear TO
be so when applied, in system Of government to
the Office Of President-the highest aud most honor
able by FAR Of all and having at its 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 1T can be ac-
CURED calculated to elevate and purify the charac-
ter Of those who aspire TO its high distinction and
through their example, the whole community
might add, the only one by which IT can be sought |
and acquired, which would not have debasing and
tendency. How important, then, it is,
that all others should be dlscountenanced in the Pre-
sidential canvass, except open and manly appeal
to services and merit Is il saying too much, to
sert that the fate Of our free institutions and the
country, must, in no small degree, depend cor
rect mode of thinking and acting on the part Of
the people, in reference to a subject of such magni-
udei
Such are some OF the considerations which have
induced me to adopt the rule ! have. There are
others of much weight, which forbear to press, to
avoid proxty. Acting in obedience to it. must
forego the pleasure which it would otherwise afford
ne ACCEPT the invitation which you have kind
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