Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-02-03

Some of our wing brethren manifest
great anxiety as 10 what course the friends
Of Mr.. Calhoun will take if he should not
be the nominee OF the National Conven-
ton; and many of the wing papers are u
sing all their arts of coaxing and wheed-
ling 10 induce themto declare for Mr.. Clay
in the contingency above -mentioned. They
even pretend to suppose that such may be
the case, although they ought TO be aware
that such proposition is utterly hopeless
Having no principles in particular of their
own, being devoted only 10 men, they are
ever ready TO suppose that others are e.
qually idolatrous. No man who is friend
TO Mr., Calhoun on princi pie, can ever sup
port Mr.. Clay. He who did so, we could
never regard as friend to Mr.. Calhoun
or as democrat. The two men, Calhoun
and Clay, are as Numerically opposed in
politics as it is possible for two men to be;
to leave the support of the one, then, 10 go
TO the aid of the other, would be the most
shameful tergiversation it would be posi-
bic for politician in this country to make.
What politica! principle now before the
people, have those two mon now in com.
mon? They are wide apart as the poles.
II is remuneration at once of all princi-
pie; and an acknowledgement OF the most
.disgraceiul man worship, for a man 10 a.
vow that in case Mr.. Calhoun is no can
tlidate, he will 90 for Mr.. Clay. A man
who could thus act. never had any affcc-
ton for the doctrines Of free trade, Of state !
rights, and strict construction. Never had
any real opposition to protective tariff,
a national bank, distr button, assumption
Of state debts, and all the other measures of
whiggery.
Whatever objection any friend Of Mr..
Calhoun may have to Mortin Van Buren,,
it is no excuse for adhesion to Henry Clay.
When they come to examine what is the
nature Of the objection they have TO Mr..
Van Buren,, they will find they apply with
much greater force to Mr.. Clay. What
over admiration we may have for the great
Kentuckian's genius, or respect for his
personal character, no democrat, no state
rights free trade man, no real friend Of Mr.
Calhoun can support him for the presiden-
cy without infamy. Itwould be a base a.
bandonment of the faith for which in form.
er times they have professed themselves
ready 10 suffer martyrdom. We are of
opinion that the present tariff ought to be
modified into q pure revenue tariff; we
know the present house Of reprepresent-
atives have it in their power so to reduce
it and we believe further, that the present
Congress is the one to make the attempt.
II bill for that purpose should not pass
the Senate, IT will not be their fault. They
will at least have shown their disposition
10 do all that was in their own power. But
If ever the democratic majority in the
house Of representatives should fail or re-
fuse 10 take any step Of this kind, what
can we benefit ourselves by rushing into 2
the arms of Mr.. Clayl win he or his {
friends reduce the tariff? whitley revive !
tao compromise act, discard the principe =
Of protection, and allow the proceeds OF the d
sales of the public lands 10 remain in d
tho Treasury as part of the revenue I
IF the government? No, they Of course !;
can be expected to do none Of these things;
and those who would aid in the elevation
IF Mr.. Clay, would assist in fastening on
themselves those very measures, TO pre- :, :.
rent the prosecution Of which, they oppose .
he election of Van Buren,. No man has .
noral RICH. 10 act in thig manner. What =
ecomes of his conscience, and his sense "
{ obligation 20 his principlesi Let him "
effect that he is tampering with a high -
nd sacred trust, which he should exercise, ~
OF only for his own benefit, bat for that
his neighbor and his country. With
~ man who feels disposition TO act thus, fin
US review his position: He believes pa
a. protective tariff is Unconstitutional, 4