Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-02-09
MIR. CALHOUN'S LETTER,

The letter from the Hon. JoHN C. CALHoUN. de-
Ginning to recognise the validity ofhe Baltimore Loco
Foco Conventlcn-and which letter has been anci-
pnted for some weeks past-has come at last, in the
shape Of an Address to his potica friends and sup
porters. We received il by mail papers of yesler
day. 1t is John c. Calhoun all orcr. After n long
string of metaphysical objections and finely spun the
ores relating to the formation of Conventions for the
nomination of Candidates for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency, he concludes by peremptorly refusing 10
permit his name TO 20 before the Baltimore COnven-
tail his ideas of the mode in which such Conventions
should be constituted He thinks such bodies inter-
venng between the People and the Election, always
Objectionable and excusable on no other ground than
for the purpose of securing harmony in party. He
advances hs lections agains, the prososed Conven
ton at Baltimore and endeavors 10 rebuff the reason
ings OF those VINO support It, His whole course of
argument appears to us, from hasty reading Of the
Address, to be rather shaJowy and fmsy than sound
and substantial. One can hardly. read it, without
wondering how this world would get on, If all the
men in it were such subtle theorzers as Mr. Calhoun.
II IS apparent throughout the whole Address, that he
finds he has no chance, in the Convention himself
and, If II had been otherwise, perhaps his objections
might have been less strenuously urged.
1t will be perceived that Mr.. Calhoun does not de-
cline the Candidacy for the Presidency. He merely
refuses TO allow his name TO he made use of in the
proceedings of the Baltimore Convention. Il will be
left 10 his friends 10 determine whether any-and. If
any, what-flrher measures shall be taken, in refe-
| renee 10 his claims to the Presidency
lnDse WIN, HOt pcHE sullCItHtly acquainted win
Mr. Calhouns ambitious views and bitter feelings have
supposed possible that he might he far exaspera-
ted with the Van Buren, section Of the Loco Foco Par.
~, az TO throw his weight into Mr. Clays scale, will
| fad themse yes mistaken on that point He does not
mention either Mr. Clay or Mr. Van Buren,, but express
SEES the deadly hostility to the principle of pro.
| tecng the Industry of the Country-that principle
the prevalence of which, IN the counsels of the Ma
ton, has done more than all other measures Of public
policy, to restore the Country TO state of prosperity
and happiness. How Mr. Calhoun-wilh his eyes
open, and with serious countenance-can assert tina
the auspices every where, "proclam the approach
ing downfall protection and the permanent triumph
of Free Trade is more than we can well imagine
There never has been a moment, when the doctrine
of protecting the products and the labor of the Coun
try more likely, than at the present moment, Il
become the fixed and settled policy Of our Govern
ment, when it was moro generally sanctioned anc
supported by the People.
"Having now assigned my reasons for refusing te
permit my name to go before the Baltimore Conven
ton, it rests with you who have placed il before tn,
people and assened to abide by a Convention fairly
constituted, 10 determine what course you will pursue
BE your decision what it may, shall be CONTENT
But regard il as due TO the occasion, 10 you and Il
myself TO declare that under no circumstances what
ever sha support any candidate, who is opposed II
tree trade, and IN favor of the protective policy, oil
whose prominent nnd influential friends and support
ers are. hold the policy 10 be another name for
system Of monopoly and plumber, and to be thorough
~ antrepubl lean and federal in its character ! also
hold that SO long rs the duties SO laid be il
TACT Doun'les 10 one portion OF the community, while
they operate as oppressive taxes on the other ther
can he no hope that the Government can be reformed
or that lis expenditures will be reduced to The prope
standard.
Were l. with the evidences before me, to say 9th
erwse of my course, it would be- practically, to de
clare that regard the protective policy TO be an oper
question, SO far as the party is concerned; which
would consider, on my part virtual abandonment o
the cause of Free Trade That can never be. Ihav,
done aud suffered too much for it, when its friends
were few and feeble, TO abandon il now now, wher
the auspices every where this and the other sid,
of the Atlantic, proclaim the approaching downfall
protection, and The permanent triumph Of Free Trade
l. who upheld il against monopoly and plumber in tn,
worst of times, md bravsd the menanees Of Adninis
trson und Opposition. when backed but by a sngl.