Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-11
LETTER FROM JouN G. CALHOUN

Fort HILL, Aug. 3, 1s49
MY Dear Sir: My engagements must be my apology
tori not acknowledging sooner your two letters.
am Obliged to you TOR securing so prompt an adms-
sion OF my address into the columns OF the lntellgen-
GER Col Benton has continued to get many jobs for
that paper that had my apprehension; in their wish to
keep fair with him, that they would either not publish
at ALL or delay it so long as to make the publication OF
no value.
l am glad that you intend to be present at the meet
ing OF your Convention 10 October. 1t is important
OCCASION and your presence will be of great service
GU ask mefor my views touching the ultimate action
OF the South in certain events 1t is the gravest OF all
subjects, and must demand the attention OF the
whole Union in tones so deep TO rou,e the attention
of all.
There is one point, on which there can be no diver
sty of opinion in the South, among those who
true to her, or have made up their minds not to be
saves-hat, if we should be forced to choose between
aud submission, should lake resistance,
at all hazards II we are not prepared for that, we
are PR pared to sink to the most debased and mis-
cradle condition ever allotted 10 people, and 10 be-
come the scorn and by-word of the world. That we
will be forced to the alternative hold to be certain
unless prompt and the most efficient measures should
be taken by the South to The present course OF
events. These We're never moving worse, or more
rapidly. 1t is not mere opinion with me, that we
should be forced, in the end TO choose between sub
mission and resistance, unless the South should take
the subject into is own hands and by united and de-
cisive movement stay the otevens Be assured
there is no other remedy-nonenot the least through
the action OF the General Government. Things have
gone too far 10 hope for relief from that quarter.
have not venured the assertion, that events were
never moving worse more rapidly without due re-
Election and much observation. have looked on the
movements at the North since the adjournment, with
close attention. They are, in my opinion, as bad as
they be. At lime have both parties courted the
Free Sollers and the Abotionists with more ardor.
make no distinction between Freesoilers and Abolition
isis. They are both equally hostile and our in-
situations. OF the Two the former the worst and
most dangerous. I regard the platform, called
Free Democracy, attempted to be erected at the
North to rally and reune the Freesoiers and the Old
Democrats, who opposed them at the last election, as
but another name for Fresoiers, dangerous than
tGeir original because calculated to deceive and beay
the South There, as yet, has not been rally on il,
that have seen, in which the esoil doctrines as
the Wlmot Provso and the territories and denun-
Citations OF slavery did not constitute the PLATFORM
The aim OF the whole movement is political, and is In
tended 10 catch the support of the Abolitionss, with
out losing that of the South If they succeed 10 that,
our doom is fixed. | do not doubt but we have many
and sincere friends among the old Democracy OF the
North, and even among those who inclined favor
this unnatural coalition. They do it from what they
regard to be necessity, and the only way by which
the Wings can be put down, and with reluctance. But
that cannot alter its fatal tendency. The Wings the
North are at presan doing their best prevent it, but
as soon as they see that it is likely succeed and that
the Democracy ofthe South are prepared to acquesce
in 1t, they will wheel right round and take higher and
bolder Abolition grounds, and thus control the move
ment, while The Southern Wings will plead our exam
pie, excuse tor their acquescng in the holder
movements of their Northern friends The effects of
the whole will be, that the North will come more
univ ersaly abolition than ever, and the South more de-
ded distracted and debased than ever; and of course,
less capable of resisting. Even as political movement
on the part OF the Northern Democracy it will fail
1t Is game IN which their opponents ever oupay
them, and which must end ia The destruction and alb
sopton oil the democracy there by the other parties
There is but one way they themselves and the
party, by boldly planting themselves the ground on
which the Sedlhern wing OF the party occupy This
great QUESTION.
In WunII nrohahv Mar fhnno in q E,r
the time, but il would unite the South and our united
strength would speedily put them in majority again.
Nothing else can save them. But aking The course,
which they appear al present, lat least considerable
portion OF them0 disposed TO do, will separate the
South from them We cannot countenance, or support
the new platform; or recognise any man, of any party
that may stand on il, as OF US. Thus thinking nothing
FUTURE is, TO my mind more certain than that events
are going, the alternative OF submission or ress-
will be speedily forced us, unle we should
unite and adopt speedy measures to prevent it, and that
presents the quesou--what can we DO : In consider.
ing it, assume That The first desire OF every true heart
ed Southern man is, to save if possible the Unon as
well ourselves but both cannot he, then save
ourselves all events Such is my termination as
far as it lies my power Fortunately for u.s. the road
which leads to BOTH vet lies in The direction We
have not reached the fork yet, il we are ever 10 do it.
Without concert of action on the part of the South,
neither can be saved; by it, if it be not long delay
ed, it is possible both yet may be- Without it, We can
not satisfy the North that the South is in earnest and
will it forced, choose resstance and until she is salts
the two ections TO its present dangerous stage om
small beginning will continue operate, until it will be
too late to save The Union, and nothing will be LETT us
but to dissolve the connection
To do that, concert OF action would be necessary
not 10 save the union for it would be late but 10
save ourselves. Thus in any view, concert is the one
thing neediul: But concert cannot be had without
convention OF the South either formal or inioi ma and
to that point every friend OF the union and well VIII
er otthe South ought direct his effort 1t cannot be
called too soon. The next session Of Congress may
make it too late: II nothing is done to bear its
ton, the alienation between the sections, which may
be caused by its proceedings may become too great to
save the Union. The call then, in my opinion o ght
to be made before Congress meets or early in the
sion, for Convention in the South, TO meet at some
convenient central point in the spring early in the
session. 1t could not fail to have powerful effect on
the action OF Congress- and that followed up by
ventlon and solemn appeal 10 the North, accompa-
MED by warning, to what be the consequent
ces unless she should desist from aggression and
to agtate the subject, may save the Union Nothing
short of it CAM and there certainty that it could il
delayed beyond the time stated.
The Convention, In my opinion, ought to be nfor-
ma-such as those so often called by both parties at
the North, In taking some political position. A
formal one called by the authority OF the
oil the Southern States and to meet their official
character as representatives OF States, ought be
thought OF short OF the last extremity. | also of
the opinion, that the call ought be so made as en-
sure ull attendance and harmony OF view. and ac-
tion For that purpose it should be addressed to all of
the South without distinction OF party who desire to
cave uo Culon, ana 10 aoop Inc most effectual mea
sures Tor that purposes but who in the event it should
prove impossible, and the alternative of submission
and resistance should be forced the South, stand
prepared to choose the latter. Such call could not
fail to secure full attendance from every Southern
State, and harmony of views and action. The call
ought to be accompanied by address briefly stating
the ground for making it. l trust your Convention
will make The call. 1t could corne from no better
quarter. Your State is the centre of the Southern por-
ton OF the great valley of the Mississipp deeply
il possible interested than any other and would be less
likely to excite feeling OF jealousy than if it
from thu, or any OF the Older States. II your Conven
ton should take the stand and recommend at the
time general organization OF the Southern States,
would agree 10 underwrite consequences. Among
your other advantages, the wing party would more
fully unite in the call than in any other State but this
Why cannot Mr.. Richie and Mr.. Burke be induced
TO back the call, it it should be made? 1t is their
course, whether regarded patriots party men. If
they would agree 10 do so, ii would insure its
and keep the movement in the right direction.
Yours, truly, J. G. CALHOUN.
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