Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-05-25

ing OF principles on the welfare and happiness
Of the people, without having the masses
of those people alternately with him and
against him. The great error in popular
Judgment is, to decide solely upon grounds
of the temporary expediency of public meas
ures; and after subsequent experience has
proved their falIacy, they too often repent OF
their course when it is TOO late.
"It requires more than Roman frmncss
and disinterestcd patriotism to stand out for
the right, in dirct opposition to the tcmpora,
~ popular outcry OF moment, and tme-ser-
wing politicians, who seize upon such occa-
sions to obtain an elevation to which their
talents could never raise them. Yet, the
cause of truth aud justice is eternal !; and
will regain its sway, when the honest man
will be recalled from exile, and may be as
much over praised by the people as his pre-
vous integrity was undcrvalued, aud to this
excess of praise he should be rs insensible,
as to unmerited censure. When such Il man
is thus restored, the temporary expedienlist
will sink into oblivion.
Constitutional liberty will suffer the
greatest danger from anarchy, which can
never long endure anywhere. The people
will become alarmed for their personal safety,
aud iutinctiveIy seek security beneath the
despotic sway of the first bold and daring
man who may seize upon the reigns OF Gov.
ernmeut. ltis by yielding implicit obedience,
right or wrong, to the temporary excitements
and demands of the people, that States are
overthrown.
"Our present and only safety is to be
found in the inviolable preservation OF State
rights, and in rigid adherence to the Con-
stitution. SO long as State rights can be
preserved, so will Capitalization be preven.
ted; and so long as the Constitution, in its
strictly defined limits, is adhered to, so long
will the dark spirit of anarchy be stayed.
do not consider our Constitution perfect. 1t
contains some serious defects, the contempla.
ton of which greatly excitcs my fears Tor
the future. Yet, it is the best under the
circumstances, that probably could have
been formed. | feel confident that, had It's
patriotic founders been in possession OF our
present experience or could they have fore.
seen the strained construction many OF Its
less clear provision were to LIE exposed to-
they would have made the instrument more
perfect. And, above all, the bare possibility
that an interested majority would or could
be Induced to vote for measures in conflict,
with the reserved rights OF the States, would
have been thoroughly and eftectually guarded
''f''nTsbu say tuul you nave IraveIIeu IL
France?" lrepied that had. "What do you
think ofthe state other present govcrnmente q
(rhat of Louis Phlippe.) replied that, from
observations in the provinces ofFrance, or ag-
ricultural districts, thought the people were
capable, under favorable circumstances, OF
maintaining i Republic, but that in Paris,
though the people were more emil ghtoned,
yet with them there existed greater corrup.
ton, and also greater devotion to centraliza-
ton"
Ny dear sir" said Mr.. Calhoun, "if the
French overthrow Louis Philippe, which
think they will do, they will have much trou-
BILE, and not perceive their mistake until it is
too late. Whenever they again try Il Re.
public, they will probably run into anarchy,
from which the people will seek protection
under an Imperial Dictator or Usurper, who
will seize upon the government and find his
support in the usual accessories OF despotism
the chief of which will be military force.
NV fears for the establishment of permanent
liberty in Europe, rest on the Ignorance of
the people 1t is only people enlightened
by education, and instructed in sound politl-
cal principles, who are prepared to sustain
constitutional liberty. Education must pre-.
ccde all successful efforts TO build up q
permanent republic.
When an ignorant people hawl for a re-
public, they only seek for a change. And
when they have obtained it, they have onl y
gained a name for novelty, which is doomed
to pass into anarchy on the one hand, or i'll
to despotism on the other France can me-
yer be free until she educates her people, and
decentraizes her government. Paris must
cease to be France, and her power must be
distributed among the people Of the depart
ments." Have you no hope of seeing
liberty established on the contineut!" in
quired. None," he replied, "in this gene.
ration. There will be frequent outbreaks
and bloody struggles; but until the people
are better educated in regard to their politi-
cal rights and duties, those efforts will only
forge new Chains for them. The Govern
ments Of Europe are all more or less military
contradictions the sword being made to
execute their dec:ccs. When, or how, pop
ular and useful education is to be introduced,
is more than can see or ioretell."
1t may he remarked, that this conversa.
was held in the spring of 1915, and anterior
to the revolution of 1913 in Europe.
recollect afterwards reading the debate
in the Senate in lS4S, when resolution was
instructing our minister in France
Mr.. Rives) to recognise the new, or provi-
sional government, and to congratulate
France on the establishment of a republic.
MIR. Calhoun made a speech in opposition to
it, on the ground that the recognition would
be premature, and that we had better wait
to witness the results like y to flow from this
sudden change and in the course of his re-
marks, he stated his belief, that there was
great danger OF the people running into an.
lrchy, from which they would fly for pro.
lection to the government OF dictator"
He was taken to task by some of the sau-
suine and progressive public men for his
tardiness, and taunted for his "masterly mac,
tivity." MIR. Calhoun did not live to see
Louis Napoleon crowned Emperor of France
and the Republic scattered to the winds;
yet never was prophecy more truly fulfilled
Mr.. Calhoun always gave conversations
rrave and usehll turn and was ALWAYS ready |