Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-13

LETTER FROM COMMODORE STEWART.
BoRDENTowN, May 4, 1861.
My DEAR SIR Agreeable 10 your request
now furnish you with the "reminiscences OF a
conversation which passed between Mr.. John
c. Calhoun and myself in the latter part of
December, 1872, after the declaration of war
by the congress of the United States against
Great Britain, on the 18Th of June previous.
On the assembling OF congress i'll the early
part OF December, | found that an important
portion OF the leading democratic members of
congress had taken up their quarters at Mrs.
Bushby's boarding house, among whom
was Mr.. Calhoun, new member from South
Carolina believe this was his first appear.
ance in the house of representatives. In con-
sequence of this, l took Lieut.. Ridgley, my
confidential officer, and first lieutenant of the
frigate Constitution, OF which vessel | then
held the command, and was preparing for sea
at the Washington Navy Yard, lett oar lodg.
ings at SIrOhers, and obtained board at Mrs
Bushby's, with them Ridgley was ii witty
and able talker, who could aid me in demon
strating the necessity for, and tile high policy
of, a formidable naval force wherewith to carry
on the war with England, vi ich l consider
ed could only be done with effect through her
being VIGOROUSLY struck at on an element
over which she deemed herself sole mistress.
This appeared to me to constitute her most
tender point.
By this movement 1 found myself iudious-
ly located to enable me TO urge upon congress
any patriotic measures which seemed best cal
culated to meet and discomit the selt-sufficien-
cy and arrogance of our oppressive enemy.
Mr. Calhoun's age | thought approXimated
my own, which was "a and, being man of
the high, st order of TALENT and representing
state in our Union which scarce ever permit
ted themselves to be represented by inferior
ability in the national councils j could not
have commenced my object with one more
fitted ior the purpose l had in view. He was
also high minded and honorable man, kind
and friendly as well as open and contiding to
those lie deemed worthy. We soon formed
intimacy, and l frequently had long CONVEX
satons with him on the war, and subjects re-
lating thereto, and matters growing out OF lis
existence--the navy being the most prominent
the gunboais, the merchants bonds then on
the tapls in congress, and other matters of po-
litical or minor interest. One evening, l
struck on the divided views of our sectional
interests, OF the war--stated to him that the
opposite feelings on this subject had puzzled
me exceedingly, and asked him how it was
that the planting states were so strongly and
so decidedly in favor of the war, while the
commercial states were so much opposed to it,
With this latter section of our coun. ry it seem
ed to me that the punishment OF England
through the medium OF war, ought to meet
their highest appreciation, and call Tor their
greatest efforts, as they were the greatest suf-
ferers through her instrumentality and power
over her commercial affairs, since 1892, which
were so arrogsntly urged by plumber and inn
pressment on the highway OF nations, while
the southern portion of the UnionIhad felt but
little in comparison. | observed, with great
simplicity, you in the south and southwest
are decidedly the arsiocratc portion of this
Union you are so in holding persons IN per-
petuity in slavery you are so in every do
mestc quality; SO in every habit of your
lives, living and actions so in habits, custom,
intercourse and manners, you neither work
with your hands, head, or any machinery, but
live and have your living, not in accordance
with the will of your Creator, but by the
sweat of slavery, and yet you assume all the
attributes, professions and advantages of de.
mocracy."
Mr.. Calhoun replied: 81 see you speak
through the head ola young statesman. and
from the heart OF patriot, but you lose sigh
oil the politician and the sectional policy of The
people. admit your conclusions in respect
TO us southrons. That we are essentially arts
tocratie, cannot deny, but we can and dc
yield much TO democracy. This is our sec
tiOnal policy we are from necessity thrown
upon and solemnly welded to that party