The southern press., 1851-04-03

part in the early days Of the republic, when the
Constitution was fresh from the hands of its
trainers, before government had become set In
any particular path The latter began his con-
test after the channels OF policy against which
he struggled had been worn deep by an unlnter-
rupted tide Of legislation, for quarter OF CEN
tury.
Mr.. Jefferson had the advantage of contend
inc with open aud avowed federalism. Dir.
Calhoun struggled with federalism in disguise
assuming the cloak of republicanlsm to cover
heart Of consolidation.
The former asserted doctrines, while the voices
Of the trainers Of the Constitution were yet to
be heard in the land, Strengthening his policy
confirming his opinion. The latter upheld them
when the very name of the author OF their most
celebrated exposition had been forgolten--wheh
as he dsinterred them from the rubbish OF the
past they were branded as the distractions OF
his own brain.
Mr. Jefferson proclaimed them when there
were but half dozen banks, and no great or
ganized American system OF varied interests TO
array themselves against him.
Mr. Calhoun wrestled for their ascendancy
with thousandI Ieagued monicd corporations,
whose long and wiry arms wound around the
people and their overnment--binding both to
their altars; and when the craving appetites of
manufacturing capitalists and OF local demands
for internal improvements enlisted most public
men in their support.
1t is true, Mr.. Jefferson had to contend with
such men as Hamilton and Adams but Mr.
Calhoun was opposed at all points by such men
as Clay and Webster. and at others by Jack
son--men, who in ability, power, and influence
were inferior to none that ever acted part in
American affairs.
In the days of Mr. Jefferson, federalism openly
attacked the constitutional liberty of the indi-
yiduaI citizen--producing such intense, popular
indignation, that the public ear was greedily
opened to, and the public mind easily convinced
by, the simple yet bold truths which promised
an eilectual remedy.
The march Of aggression, in the times of Mr..
Calhoun, was stealthy, though not the less des-
tructive--was directed against the States, and
acting directly only upon individuals, was not
calculated to arouse the public to the immlnency
Of the danger
MIR. Jeiferson's task was but a lucid exposi-
ton of constitutional truths, the application Of
which to the administration was superseded by
the contest into which the government was
shortly after plunged with the belligerent powers
of Europe.
Mr.. Calhoun revived and practically applied
tictu 10 VI
course and character of Congressional legisla-
ton in the very face of the counter principles of
one great party and in opposition TO the preju-
dices and errors OF another.
Mr.. Jefferson was part Of the age which
gave birth to the Constitution--was deeply inn
bued with its spirit and principles. Mr.. Calhoun
had to throw off the erroneous habits of think
ing, common to his time--to work through the
precedents of a quarter Of centurys legisla-
tion-to discard venerable and most persuasive
authority-to exercise an intellectual independ-
ence rarely given to man, before he could bathe
in the fountain head ofconstitutiona liberty, and
wash hmselffree of the political impurities COM
mon to the statesmen of his age.
| repeat, then, that MIR. Calhoun may well
contest with Mr.. Jefferson the title to be con
sidered g the Apostle of Republicanism."
Upon one great question, which, in intensity
and Importance, overrides all others, Mr.. Cal
houn has been, without doubt, the most saga
cious, fearless and vigilant champion who ever
advocated the cause of the South alude to
the slavery question. Long before the danger
became apparent-aye long bef,re the sleep
ing fanatic had dreamed that he would become
our assailant in the halls of Congress, Mr.. CAL
houn predicted the assaults that have been made
upon us. In February, 1888, in his speech on
the Force BILL alluding to the vast power claimed
for the federal government, by the advocates of
that measure, to determine the extent Of its own
powers, and to enforce them with the bayonet,
he predicted that the spirit of abolitionism, then
dormant, would be aroused-that it would in
feet the whole North-who, controlling the
powers of the government, would feel RESPONSE
BILE for the longer continuance of an institution
which they possessed the means to overthrow
that, although at that time there existed no hos
tile feelings, combined with political considcra-
tions, in any section, connected with this delicate
subject, it required no stretch of the imagination
to see the dangers which must one day come if
the subject was not vigilantly watched. Gun
less this doctrine be opposed by united and
firm resistance, its ultimate effect will be to
drive the white population from the Southern
Atlantic States" The time, however, was at
hand when hostile feelings combined with po-
litcal considerations" induced distinct and
separate organizationlc the Abolitionists. They
established press, and in 1885 commenced to
flood the South with incendary publications,
through the United States mail Gen. Jackson,
from the most patriotic considerations, recon-
mended Congress to pass law prohibiting their
circulation through the mail Mr.. Calhoun's
powerful analytic intellect enabled him at once
to perceive that the exercise of such power by
Congress would be dangerous in principle
Grant to that body the right to Judge what is
incendiary, and it follows that it has also the
right to say what is not inccndiary-and thus
would the South, in this particular, be at the
mercy of the discretion Of Congress. He had
the subject referred, and made report claiming
that the States had the right TO protect their
property, and to decide what was and what was
not injurious to it-and that il was the duty of
Congress to prevent the passage through the
mail of any matter prohibited by the States on
that ground The distinction drawn, though
nice, was palpable and important.
The great aim of the Abolitonsts, however,
was to gain foothold in Congress--to use that
body rs fulcrum for the great lever of aut-
slavery agitation. .this end they flooded
Congress with petitions. AS little disposed as
Northern statesmen then were to annoy the
South on this subject, they yet hesitated to
bring themselves into conflict with the anti.
slavery feeling of the North by taking any de-
cided ground against the prayer Of the pcti-
TONERS