Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-05-14
DIPLOMACY OF MR.. CALHOUN.


from Texas is redundant of American
welfare and glory. France and Germany,
after giving countenance 10 England in
her course toward this country in regard TO
Texas and slavery, have changed their
views, and taken our side. And England
herself has entirely renowned her previ-
GUS policy. She has abandoned her pre-
tensions 10 the right of search, and has
even abandoned her duties on the princi-
pal staple of our slave holding Staies--as
well as multitude of other American pro-
ducts. She is silent and passive about the
annexation Of Texas--a measure which
her Minister at Washington but a few
months ago actually threatened TO oppose
with her cannon.
Annexation is no longer doubtful: and
| that too "wthout war, without dishonor,"
and with the appreciation of almost all the
Democracy and great multitude of mis-
represented Wings. We have said with
out dishonor. Is it not so? Where is the
voice of reproach, the imputation of per-
fidy, which we were taught by the wings
to expect from the rest of the civilized
world? Quite otherwise is the sentiment
that comes to us from abroad. Increased
friendship and honor rather have we ex-
perienced. This is mainly the work Of
Mr.. Calhoun. When he was called TO the
department of State, with the unanimous
appreciation of the Senate and the press,
this country was an object of continual
injury and obloquy from abroad. The
British empire, our great rival in COM
merce, territory, and power, undertook,
under pretence of liberal principles, TO
domineer over our marine by asserting the
right of search--attempted to limit our
territorial acquisitions, by preventing the
annexation of Texas--and to succeed in
these objects, actually endeavored to de-
grade our moral standing in Christendom,
and subject us to reproach and contempt
on account of the African slavery which
existed here. For this purpose the British
press, and even much of the continental,
teemed with the greatest libeIs and abuse
of Americans-c chiefly for slaveholding-
And, at last, the British Government had
the audacity TO announce by her Foreign
Secretary, Lord Aberdeen, that the Co.
vernment of Great Britain was aiming to
abolish slavery throughout the world
A declaration which, as between indepen-
dent powers, and particularly when made
by her to the very Government in which
slavery existed, was going beyond the eel
ebrated proclamation Of fraternity made
TO the people of Europe by the National
Convention of France-and designed TO
effect the overthrow of royalty in the
neighboring kingdoms. For that offence
England went to war with France, and
subsidized the rest of the continental pow
ers. And yet the act was not so offensive
as the declaration of Lord Aberdeen TO us.
That was the declaration in general terms
OF the legislative power, and no particu-
lar monarch could deem himself insulted.
But the purpose of Great Britain was an
nounced by her foreign minister--her ex-
ecutive-and 10 US specifically, with half
of our States slaveholdng--thus making
the offence pointed and aggravated. Mr..
Calhoun responded with spirit, with digni.
| ty, with power, with triumph. And vel
will it be believed there were men pre-
tending to be Americans--yes, politicians,
protesting to be democrats-yea, even
/ some Shareholders, so base, so weak, SO
, little-as to complain of Mr.. Calhoun for
J the vindication of his country! Nay, a
serious attempt was made TO sneer at Mr..
Calhoun for asserting the moral character
, of his countrymen. The very men al
; home, who solely on account of slavery
had denounced the acquisition of Texas
! denounced Mr.. Calhoun for belittIeing--
? yes that was the word--the question oil
annexation, by answering almost the only
objection made at home or abroad to the
measure. And then Mr.. Calhoun was SO
sectional for defending an institution thai
prevailed IN half the States and in three.
: fourths of The area of the Union. The
: fanatics in religion and factionists in poll
7 tics went further. They denied Mr.. Cal
: houn's statements as TO the condition Of
0 the free blacks, taken from documents o
the highest authority-the census returns
/ And Mr. Calhoun before be could silence
j them, had to demonstrate the accuracy o
,. the census itself.
Mr.. Calhoun did not, as has been assert
! ed, defend slavery in the abstract. Alb
stract truth is not the province Of states
: men. But he demonstrated all that h
: designed, and all that his duty and tn,
!. country's honor required. And that wa
: that shareholders were men of equal jus
= tice, humanity, and integrity with the PEG
!, pie of the free. States, or of foreign ma
tons. To that extent he carried the de
fence in triumph. And having made GOO
y the defence, he proceeded TO carry The wa
e not into Africa-but Albion. He unmask
If ed thoroughly the real motives and object
j. of Great Britain. In his memorable let
,el Ter 70 NJ Klns.z hn aor.nornl;uc,d L.. L.