The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1844-02-09
MIR. CaIhoun's Letter.
FoRr HILL, Dec. 81, ls43.

Address TO my political friends and supper
tiers, asslgniog my reasons for not permit
ting my name 10 20 before the proposed
Convention 10 be held in Baltimore in May
next. transmit It TO you, because deem
it respectful and proper to make IT known
TO those 10 whom il IS addressed, through
you, and IN order TO afford you an opporlu
niiy 10 take such measures IN relation 10
it, as you may deem proper, If indeed, you
should deem any necessary. All have IL
request is, that lis publication should not
be unnecessarily delayed.
With great respect, AN, &c. &c.
(signed,l J. c. CALHOUN.
Hon. JacoB Bonn rOS.
and other members of the Committee.
THE ADDRESS OF Mr.. CALHOUN TO
HIS POLITICAL FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS.
have left it 10 you, my friends and sup
portets, through whose favorable estimate
of my qualifications, my name has been
presented 10 the people of the United States
for the Office of Chief Magistrate, TO con.
duct the canvass on such principles, and in
such manner, as you might think best
But, in SO doing, could not waive my right
TO determine, on my individual responsible
", what course my duty might compel the
10 pursue ultimately, nor have | been an
inaiteniive observer oil the canvass and the
course you have taken.
1t affords me pleasure TO be enabled to
say, that on all leading questions, growing
out Of the canvass, heartily concurred with
you, 10 the grounds you took, aud especial
ly in those relating 10 the mode in which
the Delegates to the proposed Convention
10 be held in Baltimore, should be appoint
ed, and how they should vote. You have,
in my opinion, concusively shown, that
they should be appointed by Districts and
vote per capita J; but your reasons, as con.
elusive as they are, have proved in vain
Already New York and some other States
have appointed Delegates 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 have
SO ably supported, should you 60 into Con
vention, aud would leave you no alternative,
but 10 yield yours and adopt theirs, bowey-
er much you may be opposed 10 il on prIn
ciple, or TO meet shem on the most unequal
terms, with divided against united and con
centrated forces.
The question then Is, what course, under
such circumstances, should be adopted p
a ND hat Ill ha luA
speedily to decide. The near approach of
the time FOR meeting C the proposed Con
vention will not admit Of much longer de-
lay. But as your course may depend in
some degree on that which have decided
TO take, | deem ii due TO the relation sub
sisting between us,,to make. nine known 10
you without further delay.
!, then, after The most careful and delib
crate survey Of the whole ground. have de.
cded. that | cannot permit my name 20 90
before the proposed Convention, constituted
as it must nov be, consistently with the
principles, which have ever guided my pub
lie conduct. My objections are insupera.
BILE. As it must be constituted, il Is Tepus-
nant 10 all the principles, on which, in my
opinion, such Convention should be form
ed. What those principles are, shall nov
proceed briefly TO state.
hold, then, with you, that the Conven
ton should be 50 constituted, as 10 utter
fully and clearly the voice &C the people and
not that OF political managers, or Office hol.
ders and Office seekers; and for that pur.
pose, hold It indispensable, that the Dele.
gates should be appointed directly by the
people, or TO use the language Of Gen. Jack.
son, should be " fresh from the people. -
| also hold, that the only possible mode TO
effect this, is fer the people to; choose the
Delegates by Dls,ricts, aud that they should
vote per cdpita. Every other mode Of ap.
pointing would be controlled BY political
machinery, and place the appointments in
the hands Of the few, who work ii.
object, then, 10 the proposed Conyen.
ton, because il will not De constituted in
conformity with this fundamental article Of
the Republican creed. The Delegates to
II will be appointed from some Of the States,
not by the people in Districts, but, as has
beeR stated, by State Conventions en- mas.
Sc, composed Of Delegates, appointed 10 all
cases, as far as am informed, by Coun,y
or District Conventions, and IN some cases
If not mIsinlormed, these again composed
Of Delegates appointed by Still smaller di.
visions. or few interested individuals. Ia.
stead then Of being directly, or fresh from
the people, the Delegates 70 the Baltimore
Convention will be The Delegates OF Dele
gates; aud Of course remoEed. IN al caspa
~ s~1ss sHsUSj u uUt IudF uegfee5 from tue
people. At each successive remove, the
voice Of the people will become less lui and
dsslinct, until, q. last, +. vii be so faint and
Imperfect, as not 10 be audible. To drog
metaphor, hold il impossible TO form q
scheme more perfectly calculated to ami
h'laie the control Of the people over the
Presidential election, aud vest it IN those
who make politics trade, and who live
or expect to live oa the Government.
ln this CONNECTION, object no, les.
Etronniv tn tho nlndp -. ,,h;oL N,..:.: -,