Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-04-25
For the Enquirer.
TO THE FRIENDS OF MR. CALHOUN.
r,no,, 70 W, a pril iG lSiJ

other OF that number, 10 utter his OPINION ol eur
present situation, and his suggestions as 10 our
inlure course. | address you as Democrats, be-
lieving that you all recognize that iIlle as your
proper appelaion; and that considering your
selves Republicans "of the s,raightest sect" you
will appreciate the importance and proprety OF
sustaining our Democratic principles III prefer
ence 10 any other object.
Our situation, as the peculiar friends oil Mr.
Calhoun is delicate, and somewhat embarrassing.
Having contributed very greatly 10 The success ol
The Democratic party at The last great election,
particularly in Virginia, We now find ourselves
in such condition. that precipitate action, or an
un.uarded course OF conduct on our part, may
not only plunge as into inextricable dlfhculties,
and blast all our hopes for the future, but also
destroy the organization, and paralyZe the efforts
of the Republican party in many States Q may
saw in the entire South thereby ensuring the re-
ascendancy OF the Federaists. This is "a con-
summation devou.y 10 be wished" by the Wings;
10 effect ii, they exerling all their powers OF
misrepresentation striving TO inflame our pas
sions, TO stimulate our pride, 10 arouse our ambi-
ton, 10 awaken our fears. With affected SYM
palhy and interested Kindness they attempt to per-
suade us that we are injured men; thal our ser
vices are forgotten our rights diSresarded. Such
language, from such sources, Is Worihy only OF
our contempt Such efforts should meet orr
prompt and scornful resistance. Whatever may
be our position, let us not take counsel OF our
adversary" let us not, as Stale Rights Repubi.
cans, adopt the suggestions OF Federalists; lei us
not, as the friends and supporters oil John {.
Calhoun throw ourselves upon the tender mercies
OF those with whom he has been peculiar OBJ
ject OF denuncalon and caumny. Let the
Wings understand, that their insdious efforts 10
arouse dissen>ions in the Republican ranks will
prove unavailing, SO far as We are concerned.
Believing as a fundamental maxim, thai the
people are lus" do not attach that importance
10 the actions Of Politicians which some are dis
posed 70 assign 10 them. Firmly believing, thai
he who deserves popular confidence and support,
will inevitably receive and enjoy that confidence
and support, provided his friends, or himself do
not leopardZe his success By precipitation and
want OF caution, am willing 10 submit the claims
OF our iavore 10 The adjudication OF the proper
tribunal content 10 await the course OF events now
progressing, and 10 come, convinced that nothing,
save our own indiscrelion, can loosen the hold
which he now maintains upon The pubic mind;
bat that. on the other hand every circumstance
must increase the estimation with which he now
regarded The events OF the past year have 'tiiied
Tie measure of the fame OF John {. Calhoun:
they have manifested 10 degree almost beyond
our mas inations, his iar-sishied sagacily his de-
voted patriotism, his dauntlesS courage: they
have shown that he possesses both the Judgment
10 conceive and the skill 10 execute important de-
sign, and mighty schemes. The history OF the
asl year or two shows, moreover who and whal
are his advocates and supporters. l. has de-
monslrated, thar, among his friends are found
many of The wise, the pure and The patriotic
of tic land; that their number is large and con
>anlv increasing; their influence extensive
their power considerable. During The las; great
party struggle their strength and power were ie in
the impulse which they impaired 10 the Democratic
cause Nor can any one say that our position has
not been at all times respectable and becoming
With all our admiration for the great Soulhron
we do not stand IN the altitude Of reckless fol.
lowers Of pariizan cheitain-we are indepen-
dent soldiers, entering, b. our own free will into
political conflicts, under the guidance of leader
in whose abilities we have confidence, whose
purify We canno, doubt, whose person we lovt;
!,u whom we would Instantly abandon should
lie prove unworthy Of our support.
Solnc of orr number however, for whose in
egry and ability entertain very high respect
express their fears that portion Of the Democra
tic party are unwilling 10 render justice 10 Mr.. |
Calhoun; that "war will be made upon him" This
feeling is | think, entertained without due con-
>idelalon Of our own situation and the cond.
ton Of The Democratic party. The high char
ac,er and great popularity of our leader, com
bined with the number and power of his friends
MOllIu ueiedl WHILST
nations would be Intellectual. from their yery
privacy and consequent weakness. Every man
Of ordinary judgment and intelligence must row
perceive that attempts 10 crush Calhoun nj The
present time, would only destroy the Democratic
party, whilst every day increases our security |
from future danger The great question OF The
day. the annexation Of Texas, mus, at every rate
rebound to his benefit. II The scheme be success
iu then the gratitude OF the people must be ex- |
cited towards the man who has played so conspi-
cuous par, in the great drama. IT. however |
that great measure should be defeated then will en-
sue state olhings which becomes us all 10 pom
der we'll The entire South must then unite in &c.
fence OF It's blood and lis iiresides And to whom
will every eye be turned? lanswer, 10 him who has
heretofore been the most able and courageous de- |
fender Of Southern rights and Southern Interests:
TO him whose nervous arm can best perform what |
his penetrating eye most clearly perceivcs 10 be |
necessary-JonS c. CALHOUN.
The Wings are endeavoring 10 produce the i'm |
preston that President Polk will use The influence
and power Of his station and patronage for pur-
poses innical TO The prospects OF Mr.. Calhoun
For one shall not believe these insnuaions. ill
theirlru,h he established beyond all dispute Bin
even il such should prove The fact regard il
not as a matter Of paramount importance. The
great bulk OF the people are Tree from the infiu-
ence of executive prcferment. "The leaves and
fishes" are potent arguments with a large num-
Der Of persons in our country; but that number |
sinks into insigniicancc when compared with The |
millions of recmen in whose hands are the des-
TIMES Of the Republic. None can better appre-
ciatp than Mr. Polk, those popular impulses which |
in HE United States, elevate or depress political
aspirants His own election is standing com
meniary upon the fulility of attempting 10 stihe
or thwarl popular impulses, whether excited in
favour OF men or measures
But if disscnsion must ensue from any cause |
let us be clear ofthe blame-let us act only on The
defensive This is not the time for discussion as |
TO The succession. The very services which we |
rendered TO The Democratic cause are 50 many
arguments in favor of moderation, forbearance
and fidelity 10 our principles. Our exertons in
behalf OF "Polk, Dallas and Texas" should sti
mulate us 10 candid, impartial and firm sup
port OF the administration, 10 the greatest propcr
extent, regardless alike of Tie attacks of open |
enemies and The intrigues OF pretended friends
Whilst, in every proper manner, We advocate |
the claims Of our great leader, recount his servi-
ces, explain his principles and iry 10 remove the |
prejudices against him, which yet linger in the |
minds of some, lei US do so calmly, moderately. |
with forbearance. yet fearlessy--and. above all |
let Us do full justice 10 all others Such course
as this, will place MS upon commanding eeva- |
ton By il we shall stand bameless before the |
world, and justified 10 our own conscicnces. Men !
will perceive that the "chivalry" are not actuated
by precipitae, reckless selfishness, which would |
sacrifice every consideration to the attainment of
its own objects.
The only apology for these remarks, is the ap-
prehension. Ihlt the Impotence and indiscre,ion
OF some friends Of The great Sou,hron will have
an injurious effect upon his prospects These
crude reflections are The convictions Of one who.
whilst he is proud of being a Den.oc7oi, believes
tha, il is far from derogatory to that character 10
describe himself as firm, though moi reckless
CALHOUN MAN.
We publish the above without hesitation. I,
contains some excellent advice. We, Of course,
co not mean TO embark in the Presidential sue.
cesson, for some time 10 come Nor do We be-