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

pdlllOtlS SOuioSI ASSA''o ~ 80
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 grea. error in popular
judgment is, to decide solely upon grounds
of the temporary expediency of public meas
ures; and after subsequent experience mas
proved their fallacy, they too often repent OF
their course when it is too late.
"It requires more than Roman frmness
and disinterested patriotism to stand out for
the right, in dirct opposition to the Temporal
ry popular outcry of moment, and time-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-
vioas integrity was undervaued, aud to this
excess of praise he should be as insensble,
as to unmerited censure. When such man
is thus restored, the temporary expedientlst
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,
and intinctively seek security beneath the
despotic sway Of the first bold and daring
man who may seize upon the reigns of Gov
ernment. Its by yielding implicit obedience,
right or wrong, to the temporary excitenents
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 preyen-
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. II
contains some serious defects, the contempla.
ton of which greatly excites my fears for
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 ou'
present experience, or could they have fore
seen the strained construction many OF its
/ less clear provision were to be exposed to
they would have made thesinstrument more
perfect. And, above all, the bare possibility
that an interested majority would or coulc
be Induced to. vote for measures in conflict
with the reserved rights Of the States, wonlt
have been thoroughly and effectually guarded
"ifi'nfSb6u + fSb6u say Iuar you nave IraveHeu II
France?" lreplied that had. "What do yot
think the state other present governments 2
Crhat of Louis Phillippe.) replied that, from
observations in the provinces ofFrance, or ag.
ricultural districts, thought the people were
capable, under favorable circumstances, oI
maintaining a Republic, but that in Paris
though the people were more enlightened
yet with them there existed greater corrup
ton, and also greater devotion to centraliza
tion."
"My 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 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 oil despotism
the chief of which will be military force.
My 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 politi,
cal principles, who are prepared to sustain
constitutional liberty. Education must pre-
cede all successful efforts to build up a
permanent republic.
When an ignorant people bawl for a re-.
public, they only seek for change. And
when they have obtained it, they have only
gained name for novelty, which is doomed
to pass into anarchy on the one hand, or in
to despotsm OH the other. France can ne-
yer be free until she educates her people, and
decentralizes 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 decsees. When, or how, pop
ular and useful education is to be introduced,
is more than can see or foretell."
1t may be remarked, that this converse.
was held in the spring Of 1915, and anterior
to the revolution of lS4S in Europe.
| recollect afterwards reading the debate
in the Senate in 1s4S, when resolution was
introduced 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,
Mr.. 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 likely 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
archy, from which they would fly for pro.
lection to the government OF dictator"
He was taken to task by some of the san,
guine and progressive public men for his
tardness, and taunted for his "masterly inac,
tivity." Dir. Calhoun did not live to see
Louis Napoleon crowned Emperor of France
and the Republic scattered 10 the winds;
yet never was prophecy more truly fulfilled.
Mr.. Calhoun always gave conversations a