The southern press., 1851-03-29

The breach alone, aud sing3e-handed won VIC
tory whose renown can never fade, when she
eXtorted from an overw whelming and arrogant
the teeth Of declarations but few
months old--a full surrender of the protective
principle, under sanction OF formal and pecu-
'iarly solemn act Of Congress
"The State of South Carolina in May, ls43,
nominated Mr. Calhoun for the Presidency But
in December following he withdrew his name,
when it became apparent that the convention to
be held at Baltimore to nominate the candidate
for the whole Republican party, was not to be
on principles analogous to the Con-
stitutiou. He could not, with his views, act ept
n nomination, il rendered, by convention
formed in any other manner, and he did not wish
to embarrass the party for mere personal con-
siderations. lie was not permitted, however, to
enjoy his repose for any length Of time. In the
spring Of 1874, he was nominated as Secretary
of State by Mr. Tyler, without his previous
knowledge; and the nomination being instantly
and unanimously confirmed he could not do
otherwise than obey the call. Two critical and
eminently important negotiations were then on
foot. One to adjust the Oregon question with
England--the other to secure the annexation of
Texas. IN the latter his success was complete,
and to him perhaps more than to any other, we
owe that important and invaluable acquisition.
The Oregon negotiation was not closed when
Mr.. Polk came into office, who did not to der
him the re-appointment IA Secretary, but offered
and urged on him an embassy to England, to
continue that negotiation. But believing his
post Of duty was, if any where, on tuis side of
the Atlantic, he declined the embassy aud re-
turned once more to his plantation.
T., >r M. C.ll
Oregon negotiations completely failed. The
President was pledged by his party TO claim the
whole OF the territory, and the fuliment of that
pledge was now demanded. Should Congress
sustain the claim war was inevitable, and as the
there seemed to be no escape The whole
became alarmed In this exciting crisis,
the ewes of all parties, all interests all classes.
were turned instinctvely to Mr.. Calhoun, the
pilot who had weathered 50 many storms-the
and patriotic statesman who had
been found equal to every emergency. His re-
turn to the federal councils was called for from
every quarter, and his successor in the Senate,
Judge Huger, with a rare magnanimty, offered
to give way for him. There was no resisting
such appeals, and he returned to Washington
late in December 1876. When he took his
seat, it was so fully understood that the Execu-
tive, backed by majority in Congress, was re-
solved to assert our right to the whole of Ore.
gon, and to attempt to take immediate possession
Of it, that the opposition was paralyzed in des-
pair. He did not lose momentin taking clear,
decided and open stand against the Administra-
ton he had contributed 80 largely to bring into
power. He rallied the dispirited opposition,
chiefly of Wings, with whom he had
lately been so violently contending. He ap-
peaed TO the country against the Republican
party. The sound common sense Of the people
sustained him: and the tide Of public opinion
set in so strongly in favor Of a compromise with
England, that negotiation were resumed with
fresh vigor and in few months the whole
question was adjusted to the entire satisfaction
of the great body of every party in the two.
In his whole public career, Mr. Cal
houn had never rendered more conspicuous
perhaps not more substantial service to his
country; and it was appreciated and acknowl-
edged throughout the Union. To him, and al
most to him alone, was justly and universally
accredited the distinguished merit Of having
saved the United States from war with the
most powerful nation in the world, about a mat
ter so insignificant as to be almost frivolous,
and in which neither the honor nor the interests
of either were seriously involved. Thousands
of such wars disfigure the pages of history, and
have often been the most bloody and disastrous
But this affair had hardly been placed in a sure
train of settlement before another difficulty arose,
in appearance far less formidable, but in its re-
suits likely to prove much the most important
in our annals, since the revolution. A sudden.
and to the great body of our people, most un-
expected war broke out with Mexico Pending
negotiations with that republic concerning the
western boundary of Texas, a portion of our
army had been, contrary to the usual courtesy
of nations, marched into the disputed territory.
The Mexicans attacked it, Battles ensued, and
a flame was kindled which spread instantaneous
ly over both countries.
Congress was called on to declare, or rather
to recognize the existence of war, and to make
the most extensive provisions for its vigorous
prosecution. Mr. Calhoun, without moments
hesitation, took his stand against the war. He
condensed the invasion of disputed territory,
bat ms it had been done and battles fought. he
was for voting such supplies as would enable
our army to maintain its position, and without
n state of war, to renew negotia-
tons. But he stood alone-literally alone
abandoned by all parties in the Senate Yet he
did not waver. He knew that peace was the
fundamental policy of our country That war
was disastrous to all its real interests, and was
only TO be waged to maintain that most vital Of
all intercsts--ts honor. And that could never
be Involved in cantest with so weak power
as Mexico. He saw, too, that all It's hopes of
the government and resuscitatng the
Constitution must vanish when the sword was
drawn. Other fatal consequences were also ap
parent to his keen vision. But he could not
see all. No human sagacity could penetrate
them then, or can penetrate them now. Mr.
Calhoun declared that though he foresaw much
evil, for the first time in his whole public life,
he could not form rational conjecture Of the
end--that an impenetrable cnrtain had fallen
be wixt him and the future. For the first time.
too, he was sunk in gloom. And that great
heart, which had never before felt fear, was
stricken with terror--amost with despair. Hos
tilites were carried on with vigor Victory
every effort Of our arms; and an n-
perishabe wreath Of military glory was won for
our fsg-South Carolina contributing some Of
the brightest and most uniading flowers. Mr..
Calhoun steadily interposed on every opportune
occasion to arrest the progress of the war,
brilliant as it was; and hailed with delight the
" of oh oh ;.,l