Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-08-29
Editors of the Charleston Mercury,
CHARLESTON. AUG. %

CHARLESToN, Aug. "a, 1871.
saw some days ago in the New York Journal o
Commerce, a letter from It's Washington Correspon.
dent, ting that the late Hon, John c. Calhoun had
expressed himself, in writing, against the admission
of Cuba into this Union. Had such statement pro-
ceeded further than the columns of the Journal n
paper SO uncompromisngly and at times so unscrupu-
lousy, nmical to Cuban liberty, would not have felt
inclined to notice it, But find in Saturdays Mercu
ny long editorial sustaining, much to my astonish
ment Mr. Cahoun's alleged position in regard to Gu
ba do not intend to enter into the merits dement's
of the acquisition OF that Island, or even those of her
independence, bearing upon the future Development
safety. grandeur, and peace oil these United States
The immense majority of the American people have
already, with their usual sagacity and common sense
made up their minds" upon this subject. / am thus
far relieved But when see even the great name of
the South Carolina Statesman thrown into our ad-
verse scale, feel that | have, however reluctantly,
one word to say in this connection. When General
Lopez made visit to Washington in the spring of
l649 the Hon. ]. G.. Calhoun was the first gentleman
in that city who called the General. He even car
ried his cviity to the extent of making second call
before his first had been returned In his conversa-
tons with General Lopez, through Mr. Sanchez and
myself, ne expressed himself as warmly in behalf of
Cuba and her annexation, as has any other in the
country, either before since. short time after
prominent Southern Senator favored me with an APP.
pontment in the room OF the Senate. Mr. Cal
houn was invited thereto, also four other Sena-
tors, three Democats and one Wing. The purpose of
the gentlemen, as it seemed to me, principally to
learn Mr.. Cahouns views upon subject OF such vital
pressed himself as decidedly as TO the justice of our
cause, the assistance which would be lawfully prof.
tered by the American people in case OF Instruction.
and his apprehension ofEuropean interference, as
he had done on former occasions. The gentlemen
present fully conceded with his views. Such, Messrs
Editors, We're the opinions and sentiments of John C.
Calhoun in the spring of ls49 The Wilmot proviso
question then assumed increased gravity, and as the
contest became fiercer, Mr.. Calhoun's views under
went visible change. He was no longer for action,
but for representation; He felt, no doubt that the
Cuba question would draw the minds of the people
from an internal to external contest and that his
ISSUE his threshold" issue, might be postponed not
abandoned. Then, but not till them did Mr. Calhoun
express himself quoted by the correspondent OF the
Journal Of Commerce. But Mr.. Calhoun's hopes were
not realized The South did unite even in the alb
sence OF the Cuba excitement. Were he now living,
every consideration invites the belief that having
tailed to unite the South upon the admission of Cali
lorna ne would strive to do SO, with greater proba
olt!es OF success, upon the Cuba platform, thus OBJ
tanning Tor her that "equilibrium'' with which alone
can this Union be preserved, through the Union Of the
South. ~ 0
am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
our obed't serv't,
AMRROSTO JOCE GONU A U