The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-07-15
From the Charleston Mercury.
MR.. CALHOUN'S LETTER.

MR.. CALHOUN'S LETTER.
The following is Mr. CAIuouN's reply to a
letter from Committee of the citizens OF
Mobile, inviting him with many expressions
of regard. TO visit their city. We copy il
from the Register of May 2H
FoRr HILL, Nay Is, lS15.
Gentlemen-From some delay in the mail,
did not receive, until a few days since,
your letter of the 2lst April, informing me,
that at Democratic meeting held IN the
city of Mobile on the 18th of the same month.
you were appointed Committee 10 express
the cordial appreciation of The meeting of my
public conduct; their gratitude for my serv'-
ces, and 10 offer on the part of the meeting,
such other manifestations of their respec,
and esteem as you might think proper.
will not attempt to express the deep grn-
titude feel for the warm appreciation OF my
public conduct and services expressed by
the meeting in their resolutions, and the
very acceptable manner in which you have
performed the duty entrusted TO you
In performing it, you have alluded with
particular approbltion to my conduct and
services in reference TO State Rights, and
during the period filled, for short time,
the State Department under the late adml-
nistration.
To no part of my public life do | look
back with greater pleasure, than that devoted
to expounding and minimizing the relations
between the Federal and State Governments,
on which the doctrine of State Rights depend
and it is great consolation for me TO think
II has not been in vain.
The Federal Government regarded in its
federative character, liz which States and
not individuals, are lis constituents, is the
most remarkable ever formed; and promises,
if carried out honestly and fairly as such, a
higher degree of prosperity and happiness,
than has ever fallen to the lot Of any people.
On the other hand, regarded as national
Government, in which individuals and not
States are the constituents, it has nothing
novel or remarkable about it. Instead of a
great Federal Republic, as it is, it would be
in that character huge, unwieldy demo-
cracy, destined 10 be torn into fragments by
hostile and conflicting interests, and 10 ter
inmate in commissions. Such being M, con-
viction, felt il 70 be MY duty TO maintain
the Federal character OF the Government
against The national or consultative, at any
sacrifice and hazard, and shall continue TO do
so as long as il shall please the Author of my
being to spare my life.
The services rendered during the period
filled the State Department, were perform
ed under great difficulties and emb1rrass-
ments. Nothing, indeed, but the magnitude
of the questions involved in the negotiations
in reference to Texas and Oregon, with the
difficulties and embarrassmen,s encircling
them, and the unanimous call of the country
to take charge of the negotiations, could
have induced me to leave my retirement and
return to public lie. Besides those that
were intrinsic, there were mlliy that were of
an extraneous character.
Among others, the administration was H.
teraliy without plry in Congress, and very
feebly supported by the people; and the Pre-
sidential question was pending, which eX-
pericncc Ind taught me overrulcd in great
measure all others. ~
The negotiations in reference to Texas
first claimed my attention, Because it was
the most pressing and could not be delayet
without haznrd In order to avoid the diff
culties and embarrassmenls which appre
hended from the presidential election, re
solved to keep entirely aloof from the p1rty
politics of the day, and especially from ques
tions relating TO the election and 10 use 10!
efforts induce the candidates not to conml
themselves against annexation. t'd lllll'
apprehension thut Mr. Van Bnrcn would, al
great majority of his friends, with Gen
Jackson at their head, had declared for i,
The position of Mr.. Clay was different
The masses of his friends in the north oppn
sed if, which feared would sway him. Il
order to prevent it if possible, saw some
his most prominent friends, with whom
was on friendly terms, and used every argu
nent could with them, to exert their infiu
ence to prevent him from coming out agaIns
il. 1t was all in vain. His leterin opposition
soon after appeared, and Mr.. Van Blran'
followed shortly after, most unexpectedly t.
me.
Their effect was great. Mr.. Clay's friend
were rallied against it to MN, although th'
great body of them in the West AMI South
were strongly disposed to support it, and no
few of the prominent, openly committed
in lis favor. M
1t was different with Mr.. Van Buren's
The great body of his supporters rem'lne'
firm in its support; but an active, influenlia
and not an inconsiderable number adhered
10 his course. Indeed, the stand taken b.
The selected candid ties oEthe two great pal
ties. with the Influence of the presidenta
oues,ion and the feebleness of the admins
tration in Congress and the country, seeme
for time, to render the prospect of success:
almost hopeless.
To these causes Of opposition there mus