The Nevada Democrat., 1861-06-15
A Southern COnFedcracy Fifty Years
Ago.

n southern C0nfcdcracy Fifty Years
Ago.
The veteran, Commodore Charles Stew
art in a letter to George w. Childs of
Philadelphia, just published, gives an ac-
count of remarkable conversation he had
during the war of 1912, with John G. Cal
houn, OF South Carolina. At the time of
The conversation to which Commodore
Stewart now for the first time gives public
ity, he and Mr.. Calhoun were boarding at
the same house during a session Of Con-
gress of which Mr.. Calhoun was a member.
The Commodore says:
=" We soon formed an intimacy, and |
had frequently long conversations with him
on the war, the subjects relating thereto,
and matters growing out of its existence
the navy being the most prominent-the
gun-boats, the merchants bonds then on
the tapis In Congress, and other matters Of
political or minor interest. One evening
struck on the divided views of our sectional
interests, of the war-stated TO him that the
opposite feeling on this subject had pug
zied me exceedingly, and asked him how 1t
was that the Planting States were so strong
ly and 50 decidedly in favor OF the war,
while the Commercial States were so much
opposed to itg With this latter section of
country it seemed TO me that the punish.
ment of England through the medium of
war ought to meet their highest approba-
tion, and call for their greatest efforts, "a
they were the greatest sufferers through
her instrumentality aud power over our
commercial Affairs, since 1902. which we're
so arrogantly urged by plumber and inn
pressment on the highway Of nations, while
the Southern portion of the Union had felt
but little In comparison. | observed. with
great simplicity Yon in the South and
Southwest are decidedly the aristocratic
portion of this Union you are so 10 hold
ing persons In perpetuity In Slavery you
are so In every domestic quality 20 in
every habit OF your lives, living and ac-
tions so in habits, customs, intercourse
and manners you neither work with your
hands, head nor nny machinery. but live
and have your living. not In accordance
with the will Of your Creator, but by the
sweat of Slavery, aud yet you assume all
tne attributes, professions and advantages
Of Democracy"
Mr.. Calhoun replied {" see you speak
through the head Of young statesman, and
from the heart Of a patriot, but you lose
sight of the politician and the sectional
policy of the people. | admit your concln-
sions In respect TO us Sonthrons. That we
are essentially aristocratic I cannot deny,
but we can aud do yield much to Democra-
cy. This Is our sectional policy we are
from necessity thrown upon and solemDly
welded TO that party, however II may oc-
casionally clash with our feelings, for the
conservation Of our interests II is through
our afIiliatiOn with that party IN the Mid.
die and Western States that we hold power;
but when we cease thus 10 control this ma
ton, through q diejointed Democracy or
any material obstacle in that party which
shall tend to throw us out OF that rule and
control, we shall then resort 10 the dissoln.
ton of the Union. The compromises 10 the
Constitution, under the circumstances, were
sufficient for our fathers, but under the
altered condition of the country since that
period, leave TO tie South no resource but
dissolution for no amendments TO the Con-
stitntion could be reached through Con-
vention Of the people under their three
fourth rule"
Il laughed incredulously. and said
well, Mr.. Calhoun. before such can take
place, you and / will have been so long non
est that we can now laugh at its possibility.
and leave IL with complacency TO our ebil.
dren's children, who will then have the
watch on deck.'n