Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-10-23
VOL. XYI.--NO. 40
Qolitieal,
From The Winnsboro Register.
Letter of Hon. D. A. Woodward.

Letter of Hon. j. A. Woodward
Mr.. Editor: About seven months before
his death Mr.. Calhoun addressed letter to
friend, on the subject of the controversy be-
tween the North and the South. In refer
ence to the question what could be done, he
says:
"In considering it, assume that the first
great desire of every true-heartcd Southern
man, is TO save if possible, the Union, as
well as ourselves; but if both cannot be
then to save ourselves at all events. Such
is my determination, as far as lies within nv
power. Fortunately for US the road which
leads to both, yet lies in the same direction.
We have not reached the fork yet" &c.
From this it well appear, that, in Mr.. CAL
houn's opinion, time was approaching
when course of policy, or measures, look
ing to the safety of the South, and differing
from that which looked to the safety of the
Union, would have to be adopted. He
thought it fortunate that the road had not
yet forkcd
Now, if the road had not forked before
his death he died Union man, in The same
sense he always had been. If the road had
forked then whether he died Union man or
Disunion Man, depended on which fork he
would have taken; | say, would have taken,
for he did not live to promuI gate to the world
his own purposes. By the word road, Mr..
Calhoun meant line of policy or routine of
measures. The word implies continuity or
prolongation.
Now, assert that during the session at
which he died, in his estimation, the road !.
had forked; that is, the time had arrived
when it was necessary to adopt line of
policy looking to the safety Of the South,
distinct and different from any line of policy
looking to the safety of the Union.
Previous to this time | had differed In opis
nion with Mr.. Calhoun on Important points.
The beginning or first step in new line
of policy urged upon my constituents, in
Ociber last. have said, and then said, and
still say. that in taking that course, adopted
the course Mr.. Calhoun indicated to me. /
did not describe 1t as the "opposite course"
to The one pursued by him before the road
had forked, Ito keep up his own language,)
because it was not precisely opposite to that.
1t was, however, different course, and
strangely partouk of the opposite. Wishing
TO exclude the idea that, had he, lived. there
would have. been any contrast between oht
views, ! expressed myself in my letter. in the
form did. The expression was, perhapsa
little free, or if you please, loose, but on ac.
count of the printer, was endeavoring to
be very brief
For the third time beg the public to un-
derstand that my letter was designed to de.
scribe the speech made by me last October;
and when in my letter | spoke of having
"adopted " course" alluded TO the course
] then adopted, and not to my general COURSE
in Congress previous to that time, and during
which sometimes differed in opinion with
Mr.. Calhoun in the way have heretofore
described. | did not at first consider the
collateral bearing of the extracts of which
the letter is composed, whether upon things,
but after most careful inspection have
been able to find out u single passage that
could possibly be construed as alluding dis.
respectfully to Mr.. Calhoun.
1t is suggested that am suspected of
aiming 10 assign Mr.. Calhoun to one of the
political parties of the day. If so, 1t is a
mistake. Now, that a convention has been
called, | have no right TO affirm what MIR.
Calhoun would advise, were he living. And
us to separate State action. l have heard
him say, that when the slavery question
should become one ofresistance or ultimate
submission, Il single State ought to make
the venture alone, if no others would. As
to what he would do under existing rircum.
stances, people must Judge for themselves.
would only advise them to 60 to reliable
sources for information.
In speaking of Mr.. Calhoun as being for
oragainst the Union, have no reference to
any private wish or preference he may have
entertained in regard to Union or Disunion
in the abstract; but to his position, purpose
or intention. And, say, that, at the time of
his death, his purpose was to adopt policy
looking to the safety of the South, as incom-
patibe with the continuance Of the existing
Union.
Respectfully, ]. A. WOODWARD.