The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-13
Voice OF a venerabl. Kentueh,au.

The following letter from Elk Governor METcALFE
to Senator FooTE is Of that purely American cha
racter for which the writings of the great men OF
the earlier days of the Republic have always been
distinguished We regret, however, that Governor
METcA should have referred to a contingency in
which the South might find itself arrayed against
the North. So dire an event to the cause of human
freedom and civlzatio should not, in opinion,
be regarded even as possibility.
CARLISLE, KY, Dec, 1850.
My DEAN Sin: The fact of final retirement from
long public career, both civil and military, and
that know myself 10 be fast approaching the verge
of another world, does not in the slightest degree
| abate the deep and abiding interest which have
felt for the entire Of this happily organized
and glorious Rcpubc-the last hope of the true
friends of rational iberty-for verify do believe
that il this bright and lovely star shall be made
set in darkness, it sets forever. If once torn in
fragments, it will be if sundered at all, one
OF its Insignificant atoms will ever again enjoy the
| respect or confidence Of mankind, at home or
| abroad or be worth preserving. The dissolution
of this Union and downfall of republcanism arc
| one and ndvisible. Owing, as do all that
have been in public life TO the fact that born
and reared Il regret that cannot say educated)
| under the republican banner, it is but natural that
that banner to the last May superior power r and
wisdom grant that it shall be handed onward and
onward untarnished, from generation to genera
| ton, forever.
1t is by yielding to convictions and feelings thus
| halowed that have been induced to lay down the
| old party gauntlet for the purpose, hereafter, OF
giving my humble support to that patriot band who,
In the last session Of Congress- stood up CALAMITY
| for their country-their whole country-in opposi-
ton to that erring combination of the two extremes
| from the North and South. Recognising in your
| self conspicuous and formidable member OF the
| patriotic band alluded to, allow old Fauquier
brother to greet you such, and in the sincerity of
| his heart to bid you God speed.
You will remember that, at the time of the meet
ing OF the southern members in convention in the
chamber of the Senate, declined to place my name
to either of the public addresses prepared for
| the occasion. Soon after the adjournment Of that
convention had conversation of some length with
| MIR. Calhoun, who most emphatically avowed him
self to be the friend Of the Unon and in opposition
| to any movement likely to hasten or bring on its
dissolution.
| That this iustrous man was sincere in his de-
clarations never doubted; for John C.. Calhoun
tween him and myself will endeavor faithfully to
explain, and it will be for the future to determine
which OF the two judged rightly. regret that the
decision Of question 80 important should yet re.
main In doubt. He, after enumerating the various
provocaons of the North, admitted that he had lost
all confidence in the integrity of that section and
in Their fidelity to the Constitution. He identified
that section generally if not entirely with down
right Abolitonism, insisting that, the event Of
their success in the question then pending and the
application of the Wiimot proviso to the California
territorial bill they would next strike at slavery in
the States-"and your State, sir-your State
among the first Here VIC differed in opinion-hc
in his identity of the whole North with Abolition
ism, and in my attempt to vindicate that section
against such an imputation He had apparently
lost all hope Of ufmcnt on the part of the North
OF its plain constitutional obligations | had not
lost hope. On the contrary, endeavorcd to con.
vince him of the sterling patriotism of that sec ton
| the residence among them of a few degraded emo
raj lepers," Notwithstanding.
still think that if Mr.. Calhoun was now living
after having witnessed your struggles, and the
struggles Of those who acted with YOU added to
the noble and patriotic struggles of our Northern
brethren at their various Conventions, he would
have been in favor of the Compromise, and that at
this time he would have been decidedly in favor of
giving the thing, as it is, fair trial. This is all
that the humble writer would recommend to his
countrymen. If members Of Congress can desist
from the presentation of petitions coming from
that infamous clan, dsgracefu to that sec
ton OF country, and SO justly offensive to the
South, all, think-all will be WE'LL and, until
am convinced Of the want of true patriotism on the
part OF majority OF that section and of their
ability to have the late law cnfor ed in regard 70
fugitive slaves, for one, have determined to sup.
port the law as it is, and those who supported that
law, no matter whether in the omnibus form or
separately. This, believe, will be the ground
occupied by Kentucky, with but little regard to
party.
Mr.. Calhoun made to me no charge against the
past acts OF any portion of that people that did
not know to be true, and did not acknowledge to
be So had myself been an object of the most re-
entless and malignant persecution by that class of
beings-such as was unknown to and unfelt by
any other Kentuckian. My sympathies were Of
course with the South but could not identify the
northern section with Abolitionism could not,
did not, believe the sentiment be we'll founded or
Just. had travelled and formed many acouaint-
ances there The very high rank which, in my
opinion, many of the most talented amongst them
occupied for their virtues their intelligence their
moral qualities and disposition to be Just forbade
the belief that they would not at no distant day
rise In the majesty of their strength and put down.
no matter in what garb the demoniac spirit might
appear, that thing called abolition.
i, and think i we, will suDDort such
men as Clay and Webster, Cass and Dickinson,
Foote and Douglas, Dallas, Buchanan, and that
host of great and good men, who, in the North and
In the South, are struggling for the Constitution
and the Union, as it was, it is and as il will be-
trust, forever But if different destiny awaits
US, and it be true that "whatever is is right
then bow in all humility to superior power and
wisdom; and as soon as repeal Of that part of the
late act ing to fugitive slaves shall take place,
(Which A4Aven in its mercy forbid,) l. for one,
will take my stand with the wronged and insulted
South, and If do not greatly err in my views, so
will Kentucky, with unbounded unanimity
We are fully aware of the fact that we occupy the
post Of danger, we'll the post of honor-a post
from which kentucky never did and never will
shrink.
kentuckians endcared to their northern
brethren by every tie of love, Of rshtonship of in
tercourse, OF duty, of religion AID of true patriot
ism, but when that endearing tie is broken by
direct refusal to comply with their oaths of office,
looking to the higher law, she has no alternative
The act itself will be considered a dissolution of
the Union, and she must look out and act for her
self accordingly.
With my best wishes for your success and well
fare, and for the endless duration of the Union |
have the honor to be, most truly your friend, &c
THOMAS METCALFE
Hon. III. S. FooTE.