Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-03-26

OH Ills POl'Sy
destructive imaginable.
Looking at this matter under lis true
hearings. free from the numerous lntiuen-
ces which tend to darken the mind ana
pclvert the judgment, we must see 'na'
Mr. Calhoun in coming 10 the conclusion
that the interests Of the South required
d;suuion did but draw wrong conclu-
sion from false premises. We believe
him to be in error all around.
Mr.. Calhoun seems to have very low
we had almost said debasng opinion Oh
the sentiment Of patriotism, and here we
feel certain of two things, lst, that he does
no, estimate Alright the patriotism OF the
South, and 2ndly, that he does not recog-
n;ze the true nature of that principle al
all.
We believe that although Mr.. Calhoun
might have met with much success IN
causing many Southern men to take up
| the heretofore special Yankee prerogative
Of calculating the value Of the Union,
vet we are equally positive that ne has
not calculated, and perhaps has even de-
prived himself of the faculty Of calculating
the force Of the patriotic sentiment. So
very wide is he of the mark in this mat
ter that lie has openly risked the assertion
that the patriotism of George Washington
was a matter of calculation, matter of de-
bit and credit, Of pounds, shillings and
pence -!
Now what do We all feel this TO be but
libel upon the character and memory OF
that great and glorious patriot! With.
what heartfelt pleasure can anybody here
after contemplate Washington, if the
thought of him be polluted by the pres
ence of the idea that his course was no.
higher than one dictated by calculation !
Mr.. Calhoun does not claim for Washing
ton the abstract sentiment Of the heart IN
its loyalty and devotion TO right and an
innate hatred of oppression; but balan
cling Of interests, comparison Of debts
and per-contras Away with the thought,
forever and forever.
At this junctme the proposition of dis
union, or the presentation of an issue from
which disunion must result with almost
complete moral certainty, displays sim
gular obtuseness TO the present position
of affairs the world over. No great states
man should forget that he is also a man,
a member Of the human family, and has
an interest wherever a man can be found.
We ask then, can a Christian Statesman,
at this moment, when Europe is hanging
upon doubt whether it is to be perhaps
for centuries trodden under foot by the
iron heel Of military despotism, or to go
forward towards political emancipation
and social contentment, can any truI y
great statesman, coolly think to run so
great risk to the world as the disunion Of
these states would bling about
There is France just commencing her
trial of Republicanlsm, under many dis
advantages, shall we damp her ardor, and
retard, perhaps reverse her course towards
good and free government at this early
moment of her copy from our example (!
Let the reader, especially ifhe be follow
er Of Mr.. Calhoun, peruse the speech on
our outside bage, which shews how strong
still for mischief is that devastating priest
hood, who are at this day seeking with a.
malicious pertinacity TO mould, that they
might cramp and twist, the young mind
of France TO their bigoted suPersutlons.
How would our example put into the
mouths of these crafty foes TO civil and
religious freedoth-a fraternity apty de-
scribed in The language Of the Roman
poet
| Tristius baud ills monstrum, nee sHvior ul!a
! PESTS Ell ira Deum stygils sese eNtulit undis
! how, we ask, would we arm these men
with the mghtiest of weapons Good
Heavens, when disunionists calculate, Len
them not forget to include in theis account
the Joy, the delight, the exultation that
would burst over the spirits Of the Nicho-
lases, the Swartzenbergs, the Haynaus.
the tvrants, political and ecclesiastical, OF
Europe. at the frs. report of our naiiohs!
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