The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-05
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
MONDAY NIGHT, APRIL 8, Is47.
MIR. Calhoun. Movement and hi. Organ


MIR. Caihoun'. Movement and hi. Organ"
The Charleston Mercury, having taken week TO col
ect its energies for reply our article upon Mr. Cal
houns Charleston speech succeeds las, in producing
column complete arodanee of all objections to that
extraordinary manifesto We showed as think, that
Mr. Calhoun is urging the South to movement tending
directly to unite the whole North in sectional rally
against the South the question OF slavery; and
that he urges this movement upon the South, avow-
eddy upon the ground that the South will be outcoted
by the North upon any merely sectional issue, and in any
sectional division OF parties. We showed further thai
Mr.. Calhoun rejects national convention, when such
convention must be the main agent in defeating that
federal ascendency, which, on the ayowei principles
OF the federal party, must result in the postraon OF the
rights and interests of the South We showed further,
that Mr. Calhoun opposes national convention, all the
while admitting that in the deliberations OF such
ton the 'power of TRUTH the Interests of the NORTH
the provisions OF the constitution and the convictions
OF tenths of the northern voters would be found
arrayed in defence of the just rights of the South We
showed further, that Mr. Cahouns history through the
last twenty years OF his life has shown him to be pre-
emnently, among the statesmen of the county, an I'M
safe and Enthusiastically party interchangeable of guild
ing-unwing 10 follow, and coalescing, for personal
purposes, with every successive phase OF federalism in
opposition to successive democratic administrations
From all this, inferred that he especially in his pres
en political outlawry from the democracy. not the
man to champion safely the views and interests OF the
South.
To all this, Mr. Calhouns ''NIercury" has not sylla-
bic OF reply, But offset, it tells us that Mr. Cal
houn's movement is only movement OF defence It
says:
''Wc make aggressive are only for de
fence and heartily will rejoice if we, by any agency
of ours, the slave States due OF their dan
ger, and unite them in course Of precaon that may
cure Them the independence, equality, and se-espect c
which they entitled and without which the guarantees
OF the constitution, and their Institutions will be swept
away
This mode of "denee" is quite worthy Of the practical
craftsmanship of its author consists simply in throw
ing overheard, beforehand seven enths of those who
may he disposed on your showing, to support your
The 'precaution you take consists in rejecting
beforehand all terms of Cancellation with those who,
upon your own showing, can, in sectional canvass,
vote you down! This style of preoauion" seems to be
Mr. Calhoun's favorite fashion of craftsmanship
But the Mercury scrambles out of the dilemma in
which it finds itself involved, by suggesting change of
subject and proceeding talk of itself II thus modest
y puts forth its claim to be considered supporter of the
administration:
To the administration we have given support. In
of its policy have fully concurred
times but have felt and acknowledged the benefit
conferred the country by its wise settlement OF the
Oregon dispute by its noble efforts for the reduction of
tariff and for the equally noble stand of the President
against unconstitutional nternal Improvements When
have differed, ii has not been in spirit hostility oppo
sition have criticised the the OF
conducting the with Mexico, while have advoca-
ted and supported every measure proposed for its vigorous
prosecution"
Yes, forsooth The Mercury showed its support of 'a
wise settlement OF the Oregon dispute by procaimng,
during the tendency of the negotiation, that our claim
to Oregon was humbug = Ri supported reduction of
the tariff, by declaimng about the seoarss cupidhy Of
the West just when western votes needed to carry
that measure II was in spirit OF friendship, we pre-
sumo, rather than "hostaity opposition" to the ad
minstration that the Mercury employed foreign serb
bier denounce the President false to all the pledges
on which he into power. And finally, it supports
the administration IN .he Mexican war by now lending
nounced the brought on by the act admins
traon directing the advance OF troops to the Rio
Grande!
Such is the g Mercury's" method OF supporting a
democratic administration Is it then asking too much
OF that journal lay aside its amy, and hereafter
hbt towards the democratic and party something
at least of its opposition and hostility When it thus
does battle in the ranks of worst enemies, common
honesty would dictate that should raise their flag,
adopt their watchword, and wear their uniform.