Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-07-14
John c. Calhoun on Conventions.


 The apposition are banking largely upon a1 isolated extract from the works of the great Carolina statesman, which. taken from its con text, is in opposition to national conventions - Mr. Calhoun was em;nently theorist, and, at one time, held some views ansl in some Ionts acted in opposition 10 the democratic party These views he afterwards modified and return ed to the support of democratic principles.
 The whole practice of MT. Calhoun's life was in opposition to any su-h application of his re- marks as some are endeavoring to apply them Not only was he member of conventions; not only the nominee of conventions, but when placed where he could vote, he always voted for the democratic nominees. In common with other democratic members, he attended congress sonal caucusses and conventions. and one of his tavoritc plans was to have the country governed by aconvention of presidents. His idea of hay ing two presidents, one from the north and one from the south, was, originally, that of having four, because as be stated it would take three fourths of the body to carry any measure or to agree upon any appointment; majority, it will be observed, greater than any other number would require. For instance, three would re- quire but two-thirds; five, three-6fths. and so on. The drift and force of this was, that the people should select or delegate four men to preside, that they >hould convene and remain, for time, at Washington and there agree upon measures and make appointments.
 MT. Calhoun truly said our government was one If delegated powers. Onr General Assem- the people.
 Mr. Cahouu's views were enlarged, states mau- hke-made to if giants, nor can they be cut down to fit these p!2my, dwarf caril uao are squeakin. against con eutiolIs and who, 10 eke out hei. sAuil lotes are attempting to borrow ,he ,hundrr-toes es oi great man. He mad holhiug iu c,mmon win such ratrl de- tna-o !ues d q theic tuus using hio nam9 Is an insult to lis memory.
 Caihouu moor cy is in n. wise d.lerent from ackSon democracy, trvm BacAauau emo
 
 Us all A. well mi sht we talk oi d..iegaut n IFS truth, for democracy Is political uuth. Those principles euunciAte! ii ,he dec'ala'ion of il de- penIe ce and d.iD cd. in the constitutions, the submission 10 the will o the majority, while at the same lime inc rights of the mnority are preserved: the ii-ht of the people to govern tnemselyes aud equality in ali things; the irec- dom of thought and of expre,,ioI; he who be- iie,es aud seeks tu carry these out Is demo- ofat as much as any. A ulan is either truth ful or uututhiul, either vernclou$ or a liar, so he is either in politics b Iicver in the tue or false. There are no degrees in truth; there are 10 n democracy; aud d, the truth whe her t i@ii from the lips of Calhoun or from the tongue of the humbes', is of the same weight and degree, so the patriotic principle k equally IS merjl"r.ou> whether Il k advocated by the statesman or the practical farmer.
 If the phrase Calhoun democracy" means anything 1t meats true democracy, which is au uady.us principle, born oi the love for liberty and neither invented or patented by any one man.