The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-11
A Letter from JohnKC. Calhoun.

A Letter from J0hnkC. Calhoun
The following letter from the father Of
secession, JOHN @. CALHOUN, never before
published, is printed for the first time in
the New York Times, having been receive
ed from it's Nashville correspondent The
original is in the possession of the vener-
able Major LEWIS of Nashville:
i PENDLEroN, s. c., Nov. 6, 1928.
DEAR SIR: Believing, as l thoroughly
do, that the liberty and happiness of our
country depend on the course which our
State may take in this great juncture, l
am prepared to contribute whatever may
be in my power, to aid in giving salutary
direction to her Council.
The particular duty, which you request
me to perform, is one of the highest i'm
portance, and no small difficulty. We
have the basis in the report of Mr.. Madi-
son, and the proceedings of the Virginia
and Kentucky Legislatures on "the Alien
and Sedition Act" But for the dis
similarity between the character Of the
encroachments of the General Govern
ment then and now, very little aid can be
derived from them in drawing up paper
tor the present occasion. In casting my
eyes over the subject, it strikes me that
with the greatest compression consistent
with clearness, the document must neces-
sarily be voluminous- so many and so inn
portant are the principles involved, and so
various are the details. 1t will, of course,
take time and labor; it will require the
aid OF documents not in my possession. l
have but short period to remain at home,
and l am much engaged in my domestic
concerns, preparatory to setting out to
Washington; but l will permit nothing to
prevent me from sending on such aid that
my friends may think l ought. 1 will
commence draft Immediately, and in the
meantime / must request you to obtain
and forward to me the Kentucky resolu-
tons. had them, but lent them to a
friend and he has not returned them.
They were published in the Richmond
Enquirer, some time last summer. l will
also want a statement of the imports and
exports for the last five years, distinguish
ing in the latter the articles of rice, cot
ton and tobacco. Other references to doc
uments not in my possession will probably
be wanting, but must have blanks to be
filed
If you cannot obtain a statement of the
imports and exports at Columbia, you may,
by writing to Mr.. Nourse, Registrar of the
Treasury at Washington. Your views ap-
pear to me to be perfectly correct. Ex-
else will not do. deem it the most dan
gerous recourse that could be adopted,
and would certainly be followed by defeat.
The remedy you refer to is the only safe
and efficient one, and is abundantly ade-
quate. I speak with confidence. 1t alone
can save the Union. The only question
is the mode and time. It seems to me
clear that the State must act by conven-
ton, but also am strongly of opinion that
we must take time, especially if new
administration should come in, as there
can be but little doubt it will.
All moves aiming at reform and revolu-
ton as ours is, must, to be successful, be
characterized by great respect for the
| opinion of others. On this great question
we are far in advance of the intelligence
Of other States, even with those which
have the same interest with ourselves.
Our measure, however sound, however
justified by the noble example of Virginia
in '98, will appear at first to all our friends,
novel, bold and even dangerous, and to
those who exact tribute from us, treason
able. Yet, thought will be put in motion.
And as our cause rests in truth and the
Constitution, it will gain daily, till it will
finally prevail, if we act with wisdom and
moderation.
These views are greatly strengthened on
the supposition of a change Of administra-
ton. 1t would seem but reasonable con-
fidence in the new administration to afford
time to see what it's wisdom and virtue may
effect-not to afford which will be consider
ed hostile to it, and expose the State. to
the imputation of dangerous designs,
which ought to be especially guarded
against.
There has been heretofore want of
caution on this important point, which
has exposed us to great danger, and which
renders greater caution more necessary.
1t seems to me that all that can be
done at present is an able report, fully
exposing our wrongs and clearly unfold
ing our remedies, but to abstain for the
present from applying it on grounds of
respect to others and sense of modera-
ton, with the adoption of such measures
as may produce harmony of opinion among
the oppressed States. 1t seems to me it
would also be judicious to approve of the
course adopted by our people to raise
their own supplies, and to abstain as far
as may be practicable from the consump-
ton of articles fostered by the tariff but
accompanied with caution to consider it
more than temporary palliative
make these suggestions with defer
ence, knowing how much must depend on
circumstances, which can only be judged
by those on the spot If we succeed it
will constitute one of the most glorious
reforms ever effected But if we fail we
will have the poor consolation of
thinking of the greater disaster, which
would have taken place, without an effort
on our part-the loss Of our liberty.
With sincere regard, I am, &C.,
j. c. CALHOUN.
w. G. PRESTON.