Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-04-11
MEssRs. CALHOUN AND HOUSTON

Mr.. Houston, some weeks since, published CON-
in the Washington papers, ndicating
himself and the other Southern members, who refus-
ed to sanction Mr. Calhoun's Address. Mr.. Hons
ton, if not better, is an older Democrat than Mr.
Calhoun and he ought to be pretty good Demo
cratic authority.
In his letter, he does not spare Mr. Calhoun eli
ther as to his past conduct, his future designs
He arragns both with very great severity, and the
majority of the people of this country will be inclined
to think, with very great justice.
We subjoin two extracts, which will give an idea
of the whole Rich Uhig.
cater the Ordinance Of 1857 had settled the
question as to the introduction OF slavery into Terri
tories where it did not exist, the Missouri question
opened a new controversy on the subject. Gould
the extension of Slavery be restricted by Congress
IN any portion of Territory in which it had
been authorised by law ? This momentous question
was submitted by Mr.. Monroe to his Cabinet, and
the opinion of each member required in writing,
when the issue and all its threatening consequences
hurg upon their decision. cO,emporaneous let
ter from Mr.. Monroe to Gen. Jackson, and the dia-
~ of Mr. Adams of that day recording the transac-
ton, prove that Mr.. Calhoun concurred with the
rest of the Cabinet in approving the act of Congress
imposing the restriction Mr. Calhoun tcriten o.
pinion has disappeared from The files The Depart
ment but the separate and written attcsatons left
By Mr.. Monroe and Mr.. Adams establish the
fact that il existed. more recent act of Mr..
Calhoun throws on him again. member of Mr..
FLYERS Administration, still more invidicus re-
sponsibty, as giving new force TO the principles
sumed TO sustain the power of Congress IN restrict
ing Slavery in States where the institution
isted BY his surrupiitious despatch of the annex
alton resolutions containing this restriction upon
Texas, Mr.. Calhoun destroyed the legal capacity
there existing to employ slave labor north of $1,000,
and cut off vast region from the occupation of
Southern planters and farmers In this case there
was threatened schism of the Union, as in
tn TO Er nf
necessity. Mr.. Calhoun had an alternative propo-
sition in his hand, which it is known the President
(Mr. Polk had agreed to adopt, because, in giving
commission to adjust the terms of annexation, it
was at once more just 10 the interests and more fat
tcr'ng to the State pride Of the young republic in
the act of blending itself with the conlederacy Yet
MIR. Calhoun chose rather, by act OF snpererOga-
tion 10 apply restriction Of Congress meant to
be executed, and mutilate State, and suppress in
large portion oft the domestic institution sanction
ed by its laws. Nevertheless, he condemns the
Senator from Missouri and myself for asserting to
an act Of Congress simply confirming, in North
ern territory, the Government organized there by
the people themselves excluding Slavery, according
to the principle and precedents which every terri
tory similarly sua ted had before adopted with the
universal sanction OF the representatives in Congress
OF every State OF the Union. ifassentinp to the or
ganization of Oregon, and recognizing the right
which she asserted under the Ordinance of 1887,
makes me AT offender against the South did not all
the Senator'S and Representatives from that quarter
offend in the same way in regard 10 Wisconsin and
lowa2 And most Of all. Mr.. Calhoun.himsef, who
twice as cabinet officer, and again as a Senator
representing South Carolina, had admitted the con
stitutonal power of Congress to repress Slavery e.
ven in territories where it had legal footing?
''Ihe Slave question is one of immense
import TO the South. 1t not only involves millions
of property, but of lives. Every fibre of the heart
OF those among whom slavery exists may be torur-
cd by approximations and jeaouses, through sugpes-
lions OF an eminent public man, who takes upon him
self the character Of sentinel watch and avert the
lurking dangers that environ it. The man who
stands guard over magazine in popuous city
may sacrifice the most innocent, against whom he
can point suspicion of plot to fire it. Mr. Cal.
houn takes on himself this charge in regard to the
explosive materials of the South for sinister purpo
ses alone. This vigilant guardian OF Southern
Rights, who, II has been seen, ever ready to
barter them to attain his selfish ends, is now labor
ing to make more ;nieuse than ever the excitement
on the question of Slavery, by agitating the Right
OF Extension, both at the North and South, upon
new and most ultra grounds. In his resolution up
on the subject, introduced since the surrender of
third of the State OF Texas 10 the Missouri restrc-
ton, the right of extending Slavery into all of the
territory Of the United States is boldly assumed, in
defiance of all ofhis previous acts in Congress and
the Cabinet"
And this is the whom the Southern members
Of Congress are called upon to follow, to make their
champion, TO whom they should conide all the most
delicate interests Of the South. When they shall
have done that, they will have very little left worth
caring for ~