Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-08-08
RICHMOND DAILY WHIG.
Mr. Calhoun.

the subject and in the next unequvoealy and de-
odedy hostile the proposition OF the writer We have
not deemed ourselves at liberty, however, withheld from
our correspondent the OF columns for the express
sion Of his views. however widely may dissent
from his suggestion, and however clear Judgment
may be that the Wings standing equally aloof from both Of
the opposing factions Of which the Administration party
composed should firmly their distinct organization,
and when the proper period shall arrive concentrate
candidate who is worthy Of their support-upon who
with them the leading principles of their party,
and who he shall be elected, will consequently carry out
their conservative views ofPubhc policy.
For Mr.. Calhoun personally it is impossible
tertan high respect His private character wholly free
from stain In his long public mpulation OF
rupt motive has been made against him. Were he Pre-
sident while should dissent widely from his measures
unless change Of circumstances" should essentially
dy his opinions, should have apprehension that he
would endeavour force them upon Congress by
prostitution Of his patronage, by any OF those
worthy and degrading articles, TO which have
TO believe the present occupant of that Office has hes
tated to He is, aware, than ordnari-
y accessible to ntery-he prominent weakness OF
men-and that failing might throw Hmm under the inu
snce Of designing inriguers but confident that
open and undsgussd corruption from finding
in his example, would be rebuked in his presence
In word he would surround himself in the MAN, with
OF elevated character and should have honest
Administration.
Nor we disposed TO withhold IRON Mr. Calhoun any
credit which he may be Justly entitled for portion of his
recent conduct public Hence, have hest
lated. the hazard OF subeeGng opinions and
purposes msconstucton applaud his patriotic
the Oregon ques,onior which, however he deserves
credit than few others of his party, who
pied the position, and who maintained it with
thing OF frmnoss and deal OF efficiency
than himself. Hence, too, when he denounced the
Os system, well in It's origin Its developments
felt incumbent upon to compliment the sagacity
which detected s fatal tendencies and applaud the firm
ness which, in defiance of the smohered Of
great body OF his associates exposed its corrupt in.
sumens while he avowed his determined hostility them
and to their couuping policy.
But we neither forget the past, shut eyes TO
the future II Mr. Calhoun honest man. he Is not less
mischieyous politician. II he has been tainted
10y corruption, he has been msed by ambition. II nc has
been swayed by yenal motives, he has been nfu
enced by eager desire for ef-sggrandzement Ec
ceniricity too often ess be depre
cated imdiy. Fear it has been well said, beuays
like treason; and therefore, though be less cupabe 1t
not less dangerous, and the vgiandy be
guarded against. Mr.. Calhoun relioble man; and
hence, while his integrity is unimPeachabe, there
be want OF confidence IN his Judgment
which to-day leads him the opposite extreme Of
opinions which he yesterday zeaousy maintsined He
may ascrbe OF consistency change OF cir
cumstancos # he please, and, amidst his numbeess
tations of opinion and position, claim for himself
finching fidelity principle But it is impossible, that
the advocate a period of Protective Tariff,
National Bank, and splendid scheme Of Internal Inn
provemens by the general Government, can saisacto-
ry explain his present opposition to all OF those
by such plea when known that he bases oppo.
sion upon constitutional grounds-since change OF
circumstances change the constitution and justify him
in denying power the government at period which
II had formerly exercised with his sanction. We might
large upon this theme by minute and particular examina
zion Of his coue-bui forbear II will be time enough
10 do this when he shall be fairly before the people,
candidate for the Presidency either by his by
Ihe nomination OF his party. We have said enough
tsfy every Wig that Mr. Calhoun has right expect
now any more than 1897. that their efforts shall tenure
10 his benefit" His doseriion Of the Wings then is bar
10 support Of him nOD-especsly as he is the
advocate Of oil the measures aud Of that pari-
cuary which that time furnished him imy preieXi
for his support of Mr.. Van Buren, which the Wings
ever believed be hostile the genius Of people and
90 the prosperity Of the country.
One word more. While have applauded Mr.. CAL |
houns the Oregon controversy and in reference
20 the odious Spells doctrine, feel constrained say
that his position the Mexican question has accorded
with hs high peensons to independence and irmness
WHY did lac shrink from vote the bill declaring war
against Mexcol SO unJustihsbe did he deem that act
tbst he solemnly declared would plunge dagger
90 ms heart than vote IT, Why, then, did he
against t7 HIS evidently failed him. He was
afraid to the Of abuse to which he anpre
hended 1t would subject him. and still apprehen-
rive Of the effect Of such upon his future aspirations
Can any friend OF Mr. Calhoun say that he acted that
occasion with the mness and Independence which became
n Senator aud q Statesman II the act declaring
IN truth so seriously Objectionable that rather than
for H. he would have plunged dagger to his heart ought
ne not W have voted against Had he only doubted
prophecy the avoidance OF vote would have been natural
Iy his but when he decidedly convinced Of
the inerpedeney and iuiquity Of a he
have been Of this, 10 have elected from him such
hatie and extraordinary inmaon Of his adherence and
deesaon surely be denied that he ignominous-
y shrBHk from his duty when he refused 10 upon the
question nl-when, parliamentary parlanes he dods.
ed" and skulked from bis high responsibility
But we have no disposition discuss Mr. Cahoun's
claims the Presidency. Admnng the man, in many
s2ects we cannot however, affect DO blind the de.
Ioe not conspeuou. than the virtues Of bis eharsc-
Ter az public man. And deem 1t duty meet bis
nomination 10 tho Presidency IN our columns by who
processes be Wing with the emphatic declaration
of dissent from unjust the great o
the Wing party and indeed that party itself Of whose
principles and policy Mr. Calhoun not nor IN any re-
spcct exponent Whatever he moy hereafter under an
other change Of circumstances" become.
Ir The Washington correspondent Of the Baltimore
Patriot writes. eft Is rumored that, little time after
Congress a5oufns Mr. Buchanan will have no objection 10
receiving $4,000 and going France the Of
b'od friend King our present Minister at that Court
virginia Claims.
On W sdnosday last Mr. Aroher's motion, the Civil
and Dpomsuc Appropriation bill amended by autho
tir,ng the SUN Of S6iA52 81 claimed by Virginia, due
from the general government under the Of the 9Th Of
July 1892 entitled "an lor hqudatng and paying
claims Of the State Of Virginia Revolutionary claims,
Ne believe, heretofore paid from Treasufy 10 be
paid to her The following are the yeas snd nays
"Yus-Measrs. Archer. Ashley, Bsgby, Borrien,
Breese Calhoun. Case, Chamors, John VI. Clayton,
fitendcn Davis, Greene, Hannegan Jsrnagin Johnson
~ Louisiana McDufie, Mangum, Miller. Morehead,
Niles. Rusk, Sewer Summons, Speight, Webster West.
eott and Woodbnige-27.
"Nau-Messrs. Allen. Atchison, Atheuon, Benton,
Bught, Thomas Clayton. Dickinson, Dix FAIRFIELD. Hous-
son, Lewis. fosfos, Phelps. sempe, Sturgeon, Turney
Upham and Yulee-is."
Defeat OF the AdmInistratIon