Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-02-10
MIR. CALHoUN,s ADDRESS.

MR.. CALHOUN'S ADDRESS.
This document which has been so much
talked of and SO long expected, has at
length become public. He refuses to per-
nit his name to go before the Baltimore
Convention, as il will be organized in a
manner to which he unequivocally dissents
The reasons he gives for This, our readers
can learn by reading the address ITSELF
We deem them conclusive, and that Mr..
Calhoun ought not to suffer his name 10
go before the Convention. Those states
which have chosen delegates on the dis
trict plan, would 60 into the Convention
at great disadvantage with those whose
delegates had been chosen en- masscc. 1t
is true they had tho opportunity to select
in the same way, but they could not be
expected TO act in violation'of their notions
of justice and principle. This course of
Mr.. Calhoun, however, does not nccessa-
rliy preclude him or any ofhs friends from
supporting the nomination. 1t is only a
refusal to sanction The proceedings of the
Convention. or to be bound by lis I'M unc-
tons. Mr.. Van Buren's friends have G.
WINGED no disposition TO compromise in-ths
matter. Their course upon the organiza-
ton of the Convention has been arbitrary,
self willed and despoic. 1t is true they
have cluimcd for themselves high degree
of courtesy and Cancellation for having con-
scatcd 10 postpone the time of holding the
Convention from November unit. May,
but this was matter OF stern necessity.
Public opinion was so strongly in favor of
tbs usual time, that party drill could not
change it. They stood out for November
until they were compelled to abandon that
position by the voice of great majority of
the party, so they cannot claim the grace
of yielding for purposes of concession.
In regard TO the organization ofthe Con-
vention, they have virtually said to the
State Rights party, you must abandon your
principles, or abandon us, OF to use the
more concise and classic language of the
Globe, 'obey, or be rode over rough shod."
From the number of democratic victories
obtained in the last two years, some i'm.
prudent friends of Mr.. Van Buren, had ar
rived at the belief that they had become
strong enough to crush the feeble opposi-
ton that might come from those who were
silly enough 10 give countenance to the
vicious and embarrassing abstraction called
principle. They, therefore, with the most
arrogant rigor insisted on mode of organ
ization which they must have believed
would exclude Mr. Calhoun and his friends
Il participation in the action Of the 3alti-
moro Convention.
AS to whether Mr.. Colhoun will sup.
port the nominee Of that Convention, we
conclude from his address that he will be
governed by the course of the present de-
mocratic party in Congress, the principles
promulged by that Convention, and avow-
Gu Dv lIlD HOAllIICC uS uOiiO-
cratic party repudiates all his talk about
"exereising generous confidence" and
"no declaration of principles for the public
eye" A distinct, explicit, and unequiyo-
cal expression of opinion must be given on
the subjects of protective tariff and the
reception of abolition petitions; and that
by Mr.. Van Buren, and his peculiar friends.
We are Of the opinion now, that the best
course would be to hold no convention at
all. As to the friends of Mr.. Calhoun ia
voring the elevation of Mr.. Clay, we think
there is much more danger of an affilia-
ton between the friends of the latter gen.
tleman and Mr.. Van Buren,, if we are TO
judge anything from the following resoiu-
ton passed at Van Buren, meeting in
Wayne county, Pa:
RESOLVED, That our views on the Tariff
nre so near like those of Henry Clay, and
his are so near like Messrs. Buchanan
and Van Buren,, that there is no chance