The New York herald., 1851-10-16
Hon. John G. Caihoun on secession.

Ibe following letter, relative to the views of the
,Ste k 100. John Y. calhoun, Is from Hon. John A.
woodward, OF south Carolina
About seven months before his death, Mr.. Cal
houn addressed q letter 10 friend on the subjsct
OF the controversy between the North aud the
south; In reference to the question what could DO
done, be says
In considering it, sssumo that the first great
desire OF every ue.hcarted Southernman, is 70
save, u possible, the Union, as well as ourselves
but II both cannot be, then TO save ourselves at all
events. Such is my determination, ss far Q, lies
within my power. Fortunately for us, the road
Thlch leads 70 both, yet lies in tho same direction
We heve not reached the fork yet" &s.
From this 1t will appear, that, In Mr.. Calhoun's
orinion time was approaching when q course Of
policy, or measLrea, looking to tho safety of the
south, and differing from that which looked 70 ths
safety OF the Union, would have 70 te adopted lie
thought it fortunate that the road had not Yet
forked.
No~, II the road had not fcrked before his death.
be died mon man, In tho ssrno sense he al says
bad been. If the road had forled then. whether 10
died I mon man, or y disunion man, depended on
which fork he would have taken; say, woulJ haye
taken, for he did not live to promulss.c 70 the
world his own purposes. BY the word road, Mr.
Calhoun meant line Of policy. or sroUtine Of mea.
cures. The word implies continuity or prolongstlop
Nov, assert THAI during tho session q. which
that , the time had arrived when il was necessary
TO adopt line Of policy locking to the safety Of
the South, distinct AID divergent from any line of
policy locking to tho safety Of the Union
with Mr. Calhoun on important points.
1ne beginning, or 6fst step in nov liue Of poli-
ey, urged upon my constituents in October lat.
s, have ,sid sod then said, sad siil say, that in
houn indicated to me did not describe II as the
'orTtGe course 20 the one pursued by him be-
fore the road had fosked. Ito koep up his vn Ian
thas. IL was, however, . different course. ana
strangely psrtook of the opposite. Wishing 10 ex-
slsde toe idea tas, hsd he lived, there would have
eetn asy eoL.,ast between cur yiews, l expressed
myself In my iot,sr 10 the form | did. The expres-
non was, perhaps. little free, or, If you please.
lctee, bat. on accent Of the printer, wac on
desvOrsg 70 Be very brief
Tof tho third time, ] beg the public 20 under.
stand that my lotter was designSd to dcs,ribo the
speech nlade by D.e last October; aud when In nv
iettsr, speko CT havisg adopt cd course" AZ
ludla 70 the course tnen aoopted and not TO nv
genera course ih CorEtcss previous TO that time.
ard curing which solaetimes differed In opioio,
With Mr. calhoun, in the sway / nave bere;oforo
described did not at fret consider the collst. raj
bearing Of Ia extracts Of whi,h the ettor is CON
posed, ~hethCr upon things, but after most care
iui insitetlcn have been able 60 dud out single
lasage that could sibly be construed all ldne
ds,,sFVctfuy 70 tir Calhoun
u Is sssgsgestsd that am susreoted Of aiming to
ass'eA rir Ilhoun 90 oEe o. tho political parties
O. tue Gag. IL 20, II is q mistake. Now, that a
CONVICTION has been called have no right 10 af,rm
TTast Mr Ca'Loun wcald advise were ho ltvtng
Ard a. 70 separate state action, have beard hi n
say, tAat when tbs slavery question should becniao
Cnc % t,sacct, or ultiuiato submissicp, sinslo
o'Gsc ought N Ha1c tho venture alone, no others
Ho3.I MS 60 what 40 would do uoier existing
ercSiIs aocis, psSplo mglt jddgo for themselves
uy1id cniy advice them 60 80 20 reliable soNTces
sor Information.
u sreshl-s oi Mr. Calhoun C. teinr for or
ngn'as. ,he I nion, have no rgfcreucc to auy pr.
yatc With os rrcsoTencc 20 nay have entertained in
regard &c union or d.urcn ln tle ets.saet, but &C.
biz rcSitiee, yufposc, or irts-tin. And. coy,
thai, O, tho time OF hs ccaLh, bis purpose was to
a9er. rclicy iccking 20 the eefcty Of tho South.
&c frcomTa,ible With tho continuance OF the exist
ing nien. j. a. Wocb rAnD.
Their. eishty Nur deaths IN Bsltl during TIE