The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-05-28
LETTER FROM MR.. CALHOUN ON
THE BANK.
WAsuryeroN, January IL, 1850

there is danger that the Bank question VIII
cause division and distraction in our district, in
consequence of division of opinion among its
delegates. Should such be the case, it would
be unfortunate, indeed, at this time, when the
united energy of all the South is required to
save us from the greatest of calamities. The
time has come, when, if we are ever to assert
our rights as members of the Union, it must
now be done; and then, if we should fail to
cause the North to respect and regard them, we
must take their protection in our own hands
and keeping. To draw off the attention of our
State at this time, by subordinate local ques.
tions, is to jeopardize our safety, and that OF
the whole South. 1t must not be forgotten,
that we are in the van of the great controversy
with the North, and that whatever is calculated
to distract and weaken US, will weaken the en-.
tire effort of the South. The Abolitionists
know this, and hence their efforts to do it by
circulating documents so freely and at such
great expense among us to produce that effect
Entertaining these views, do hope that the
candidates will come to some understanding to
leave all questions in reference to the Bank out
of the approaching election.
AS to the question of the expediency of the
Bank, or whether it should be re-chartered, l
do not feel called upon to give all opinion. Al
though opposed on principle to all Banks OF is.
sues, have, as one OF the Representatives OF
the people of Carolina, in their Federal charac-
ter, at all times, abstained from interfering with
the local Banks of the State. have ever left
all questions in relation to them to be determin.
ed by those, who for the time, arc charged with
the government of the State, not doubling but
that time and experience would prove the cor.
rectness of the views took on the subject of
banking.
But while am on principle opposed to Banks
of issue, have always been aware of the great
difficulty and the extreme caution that Is neces-
sary to wind up Banks where they have lorg
existed. With the view to overcome this dlttl-
Guilty and to avoid the embarrassment and dis.
tress incident to winding up, proposed when
the charter of the late Bank of the United
States was about to expire, to re-charter it for
twelve years, with snch provisions as would
compel it to unwind itself to great extent 1t
is now admitted by the well informed, that if
what then proposed had been adopted, the
great catastrophe of 1887 would have been
averted. Thinking as do, am decidedly OF
the opinion that the Bank of the State, II not
re.chartered, should be allowed ample time and
means to wind up gradually md cautiously, |,
in addition, doubt the propricty of deciding the
question whether it should be re-chartered or
not at this time Should the South be bound,
as think it probable she will be, to take her
defence into her own hands, we may need all
the aid and credit which the banking system OF
the State will be able to afford, in the undisturb.
ed possession of their means, and the unabated
confidence of the public in them. How the
question can best be kept out of the canvass,
YOU and other friends in the District can best
determine. The press can do much towards it, by
showing how adverse the agitation would be to
the great and vital question now asitating the
State and the whole South, and by making an
appeal to the patriotic to interfere to prevent it.
The candidates might come to an understand.
ing to leave it out of the issue, and public meet
ings might pass resolutions condemnatory of
ali agitation on the subject for the present.
| had letter from Mr. Burt on the same sub.
-iect as yours, and, as you are on intimate terms
with him, and as am mnch engaged, | must
request you to consider this letter addressed to
him as we'll as you. have no objection to its
being shown to any friend you or he may de.
sire, or using its contents freely, but without
publishing.
| continue to enjoy good health, fully as
much so as wh.n left home.
The South is more firm and better united
than ever. The session will be stormy. Dis.
union is common topic of discussion in all
circles J. Z. CALHOUN.
Hon. R. F. Simpson.
Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS on SLAvERY.--Sena-
tor Davis of Mississippi, has recently written
long and able letter upon the subject of Slave:
ry, and the relative positions of the North and
South. The rights of the latter are threatened,
aud a union of sentiment alone can stop the ef
fort which is making in the North. tie says
that ant-slavery presses are established in slave
States, and it devolves upon the South to toler.
ate no longer an open and avowed enemy in
their midst. The North professed to be salts.
fled with the Missouri compromise, when the