The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-02-15
The Address of Nr. Calhoun to his Politi
cal Friends aud Supporters.

my qualification my name has been present
ed to the people of the United States for the
office of Chief Magistrate, TO conduct the
canvass on such principles, and in such man
ner, as you may think best. But, in so do
ing, did not waive my right to determine,
on my individual responsibility, what course
my duty might compel me TO pursue ultima
telv, nor have been an inattentive observer
of the canvass and the course you have ta-
ken.
Itaifords me pleasure to be enabled to say,
that on all leading questions, growing out
of the canvass, heartily concuned with you
in the grounds you took, and especially in
those relating TO the mode in which the Del
egates to the proposed Convention to be held
in Baltimore, should be appointed, and how
they should vote. You have,in my opinion,
conclusiyely shown that they should be APP
pointed by Districts and vote per capita; ;
but your reasons, as conclusive asthey are,
have proved in vain. Already New York
and some other States have appointed Dele
gates en- masse by State Conventions, and
one State (Virginia) has resolved that the
votes of her Delegates should be given by
the majority, and be counted per capita.
Their course would necessarily override that
which you SO ably supported, should you go
into Convention, and would leave you no al
tentative, but 10 yield yours and adopt theirs,
however much you may be opposed to it on
principle, or to meet them ON the most un-
equal terms, with divided against united and
concentrated fhrces,
The question is then, what course, under
such circumstances, should be adopted?-
And that question, you will be compelled
speedily to decide. The near approach of
the time for meeting of the proposed Con-
vention will not admit of much longer delay.
degree on that which have decided 10 take,
deem it due TO the relation existing between
US, 70 make mine known to you without fur
Their delay
]. then, after the most caseful and delib-
eraie survey of the whole ground, have de-
cided, that [ cannot admit my name to 90
befoEe the proposed Convention, constituted
as it now must be, consistently with the prin-
ciples which have ever guided my public
conduct. Ny objections are insuperable. AS
il must be constituted, it is repugnant TO all
principles, on which in my opinion, such a
Convention should be formed. What those
principles are, | shall now proceed briefly tc
state.
| held, then, with you, that the Convention
should be so constituted, as to utter fully
and clearly the voice of the people and no
that of political manaGers, or Office holders
or Office seekers; and for that purpose, hole
if indispensable, that the Delegates shoulC
be appointed directly by the people, or to USE
the language of Gen. Jackson should b.
In Ia afe bolI 4bo
the only possible mode to effect this, is 70
the people 10 choose the Delegates by Dis
tricts, and that they should vote per capita
Every other mode of appointing would b
controlled by political machinery, and plac
The appointments in the hands of the few
who work it.
object then, 10 the proposed Convention
because it will not be constituted in confo
nifty with this fundamental article of the Re
publican creed. The Delegates to it wi
be appointed from some of the States, nc
by the people in Districts, but, as has bee
stated, by State Conventions en- masse, con
posed of Delegates, appointed in all cases.
: far as | am informed, by County or DistriC
Conventions, and in some cases, if not mis-
informed, these again composed of delegate
appointed by still smaller divisions, or fe'
interested individuals Instead then of bt
ing directly, or fresh from the people, tn
Delegates TO the Baltimore Convention wi
be the Delegates Of Delegates ;and of cours
removed, in all cases, al least three, if nj
four degrees from the people. At each SUI
eessjve remove, the voice Of the people wi
become less full and distinct, until, at las
twill be so faint and imperfect, as not TO
audible. To drop metaphor, hold it in
possible to form scheme more perfectly ca
culated 10 anihilate the control of the poop
over the Presidential election, and vest il
those, who make politics trade, and wi
I've or expect TO live on the Government.
In this connection, object not less stron
ly TO the mode in which Virginia has resol
ed her delegates shall vote. With all d.
respect, must say, can imagine nothil
more directly in conflict with principles
cur federal system Of government, or to u
d broader expression, the principles on whl'
al confederaled communities have eVerbe'
united. hazard nothing in saying, th
there is not an instance in our political b
10Y, from the meeting of the first Revoluiio
ary Congress TO the present day, of the d.
eoafes of any State voting by majority a
counting per capita, nor do | believe an
stance OF the kind can be found IN the
tory Of any confederated community The
IS indeed something monsirous IN tbs I'd