Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-11
HE TINES TERMS.
Mr.. Ca5houn's Opinion on Separate State Ae-
ton.

ing letter from zen. James Hamilton, dated
''Washington City, April 2, 1851" and explaining
the reasons why he did not fulfil an appointment
to deliver eulogium upon Mr.. Calhoun before
the citizens of Blufton, on the 3lst of March,
The letter is addressed to the Hon. William Pope,
Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements,
appointed in October last, through whom the in
vitation to Gen. H. was conveyed. Gen. H. re-
presents that he left South Carolina for Texas,
soon after his appointment; and that he subse-
quently had reason to believe that his letter from
Texas to the people of South Carolina, dissua-
ding them from separate secession, made him tex
ceedingly unpopuia lar" amongst them, so that even
''the purity of his motives was impeached" Re-
ceiving no ntmation from Bluffton, during the
autumn and winter, of his being expected to de-
liver the eulogium, he considered this silence
friendly hint that the performance of the duty
would not be acceptable, and he resolved decline
it. An advertisement which he saw in the Char
lesion Mercury, whilst at Philadelphia, on the lst
inst, first appraised him that he was still expected
to meet his appointment.
The unpopuarty of Gen. Hamilton's opinions
was not, however, yhe sole reason that determined
him not to speak at Buffton on the anniversary of
Mr.. Calhoun's death. He discloses another which
is of much greater interest to the public, namely
that he would have been under the necessity of
communicating to the Secessionists of Buffton,
the unpleasant information that their idozed and
canonized Statesman, to the day of his death, dis
countenanced the project of the separate seces-
sion of South Carolina. AS this announcement
makes known, for the first time, authentic EVIL
dence, historical fact of such Importance, we
extract that part of Gen. Hamiton's letter in
which it is contained
But mu confess to you that L was constrained nv
another CO lslderation. If had addressed you as it
antle paed, in discussing tine principles and opin.
ions of Mr.. Calhoun as illustrative of his public lite
should have felt mysel bound to have conmunica-
ted important fact, that up to the period of his
death, he contemplated the separate and solat-
ed action Of South Carolina, even exigency SO
vehement and pressing in his opinion the admission
ofCaornia He looked alone TO the united and CO.
operative action of Virginia and majority of the cot
ton States He never tor an instant. cherished the
people to slaughter that other States of the South
might be dragooned into support. His whole poll
cy was founded on friendly and pacific union of the
South for the protection ofthe South With that san
gune temperament which belonged to his noble narure
which belongs to The very constitution of genius he
cherished this hope to the last. This extinct he did
not look beyond the great moral lesson which the
motto impressed on our own Palmetto holds forth for
the instruction of her sons"Ais opibusque parati"
That these the opinions of this great man. have in
possession the most irrefutabe testimony, which at
fitting time shall be made public, fueed be.
Could have delivered the Eulogum without com.
muncang this truth so unacceptable. perhaps, to the
majority ofmy healers2 Or could | have suppressed
it, without moral treason to the memory OF my friend2
Men deliver Eulogums, not to dspease, but crafty
their hearers and these efusions are cold and passion
less indeed unless there is cordial sympathy between
him who speaks and him who listens.
There are many reasons. my dear sir, for appear
tho riNI 49,
10 reach home in time to have made my excuse in |
person. | have been disappointed by causes beyond |
my control. must now throw myself on the forgive
and generous ndu gence OF my friends
1t may be asked by YOU my kind and esteemed friend, |
with whom was associated more than 25 years since
in the Councils OF South Carolina, whether ever in
lend to perform the duty owe, under the appoint
men OF the good people OF Buffton to the memory of
our great and lamented countryman l answer yes
when they desire it. and when they are reconciled to
my opinions, or am reconced to theirs. The latter
will be when if South Carolina acts, and is in peril
she, with no difference of opinion to separate us, will
find myself and gallantso by her sde peace
with her, at least am at with all the rest of the
world.
At present the crisis is one of too much painful ex-
element, OF too much evaporation, to make it fit
season even IN our Affections to approach the grave of
our venerated Calhoun. When we approach the sa.
cred sod which has hid forever his radiant couutenance
from our gaze no Carolina heart should be separated
from its brother bosom even by feeling OF dsrust
much less OF alienation. The lamp which nigh be kin
died the bright flame of his genius, fling back its
rays his past gories, should burn with bright light
IN pure and tranquil atmosphere, undisturbed by
single passion or by one unchartable feeling towards
a human being on earth. We should feel that we
were in the presence OF Cod and forget the animostes
OF man.
With some further ardent paregyric upon sthe
great Caroinian," Gen. Hamilton closes with as
suring his Button friends that he meant no slight,
neglect or disrespect, and expressing his desire to
finish his days amongst them, and find, beneath
the shade of one of the magnificent oaks of their
beautiful village his last resting place.
Although Gen. Hamilton's revelation of Mr.
Calhoun's latest opinions on the policy of his
State may justly he deemed interesting and may,
as we hope, tend to exert a wholesome influence
upon public sentiment in South Carolina, it GER
tany gives us no surprise. We carefully studied
Mr. Calhonn's last speech in the Senate, when it
was first published through the press, and form
ed the opinion, that although it indicated an evil
dent desire to produce an ultimate separation of
the slaveholding from the non-saveholding States,
it clearly disclosed the speakers unwillingness to
hazard any issue in which the want of Southern
harmony might prevent peaceable dissolution
In the number of the Times which contained the
speech, we briefly summed up our Interpretation
Oft as follows
The drilt OF Mr.. Calhoun's effort seems to US to be-
that the South and the North dissimar in in-
teress and sentiment to emsin under the same govern
rnent that the South look for no security in future
without an amendment OF the constitution guaranteeing
perpetual equality in the Senate; and that as this
amendment is utterly hopeless the two sections should
now "part in peace" We think it clear that Mr. Cal
houn il for disunion per Sc provided can be effected
psaceaby; and must say, his speech causes us to
doubt extremely his readiness for any other kind of
separation, - Times, March 8, 1851.
There was a yacillation of purpose evinced in
Mr.. Calhoun's subsequent explanation of his posi-
ton, which strongly confirmed this understanding
OF IT, When pressed, by Mr.. Foote and General
oass, with differences that his arguments proved
nm to be in layourof disnnion he declared that in