Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-10-30

which was related to me by Mr. Clay him
self. Soon after the death of Mr.. Calhoun.
his conversation turning on his great Co.
temporary, Mr.. Clay remarked that the
Congress Of 1912 having been in session
for some time, and its session drawing rap
Idly to close. the party in favor Of war
We're much disappointed at the delay Of
Mr.. Madlson-then supposed to be reIuc-
tant to take the step-in not sending a
message to the two Honses, recommending
declaration Of war. In this state of feel
ing, a meeting of the members in favor of
1t were called, and adopted resolutions re-
commencing an immediate declaration,
and appointed Mr.. Calhoun, himself and
MIR. Cheves, then member from Charles
ton, committee to lay the resolutions be-
fore MIR. Madison-Mr. Clay being re-
quested by his two colleagues to open the
subject to Mr.. Madison, who, after an in
terview of some length, consented to send
In a message in accordance with the reso-
lutions.
This great measure of national indepen-
dence from British domination, before in
complete, it will be seen was largely in
debted to those eminentpatriotsf for success.
Mr.. Calhoun was afterwards the great mas
ter spirit, in the House of Represen tatives,
in favor of the prosecution Of the war,
which terminated so brilliantly at New Or
leans-Mr. Clay having been sent as one
of the ministers who negotiated the treaty
of peace at Ghent. Mr.. Clay spoke Of
these events. in a feeling and touching
manner, i'll connection with Mr.. Calhoun.
This great measure, called the second war
Of independence, was of singular benefit to
New England, for her ships were captured
everywhere on the ocean, and her sailors
impressed. Tao triumphant result threw
open the commerce and trade of the world
to her, by which she has ever since profted.
Nor was this all The present great North
western States, many of them then terrific
ries, and all sparsely settled, were repeat
edly invaded by Indians, then numerous
on our entire frontier and known to be
under British control. The scalping knife
and torch often did their work. The voice
and arms Of a united South aided to rally
the nation to their assistance and free them
from Indian and British hostilities, when
in some other quarters neither aid or sym
pathy were rendered them. Yet these great
are now leagued with the
oppressors of those who succored and nur
tured them in their infancy, and who have
ever in Congress been liberal to them on
what was, for a long time, q vital question
the public lands. Can it be that the great
Northwest, in this our hour Of sore aftiic-
ton, will forget these occurrences
Also, let it be remembered that under
Southern Presidential auspices, this great
nation commenced it's glorious career, and
continued, under q long line of Southern
presidents, unrivaiied for craftsmanship,
mainly, for the best part CT O century. The
government was felt then not by the iron
hand of tyranny, but only by it's blessings
and the universal benefits conferred. If
&c ,cl 4O
away-which may God in his mercy avert
-posterity will, in all probability, regard
the history Of these administrations scarcely
as having been realities, but as the golden
dreams of poetic fiction. [ allude to these
historic facts in no spirit Of disparagement
to n ,rthern statesm for their history is
gracod by some Of the purest patriots,
greatest intellects, and ablest statesmen of
this or any other age ; but it is referred
to as Justly addressing itself to the justice
and patriotism Of the great North and
Northwest against that merclless spirit OF
Radicalism, alien to America and to Ameri
can institutions, which seeks to uproot all
the principles neld sacred by the fathers of
the revolution, and reduce, as it has done,
gallant people who have contributed so
much to the glory and greatness of the ma
ton, to a condition worse than colonial
vassalage. And can it be that the soil
which covers the ashes of a Washington, a
Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jack
son, and long list OF other statesmen, he
roes and patriots, shall be permanently
ruled over by tyrannic power and barbarlc
ignorance ? II so, then farewell to consti-
tutional liberty, to justice, and all the bright
hopes which once cheered the American
patriot-the sun of America will have set
and the despotislns of Europe will be a
paradise compared to what was once re-
ioiced in as ''the land of the free and the
home of the brave -
It was the fortune of the writer to have
served for many years in the Senate Of the
United States with that great intellectual
triumvirate, Clay, Webster and Calhoun,
and leaving the last named out Of the
question as having belonged TO the section
now so much oppressed, can readily i'm
agine what would be the course of the
others if now in the Senate. Whatever
differences may have existed between par
ties then-Whig or Democrat-tritles light
as air compared to the present great issues,
no doubt can exist as to the course they
long since would have pursued. They
were statesmen of lofty, magnanlmous
views, and their counsels would, no doubt,
long since have brought peace and quiet
to the country on the basis Of justice and
constitutional liberty. Unfortunately the
national counsels seem to be governed in
the main by designing demagogues who
have been thrown on the surface by sec
tional agitations-who are men Of prlnci.
pies in proportion to their interests, and
whose seat OF patriotism is in theil
pockets.
The allegations on which these pseudo
patriots live and have their political being
| that the Southern people are yet rebel
ious-are utterly unfounded, notwith
standing the efforts which this miserable
faction have made to provoke violence ana
disorder that they might make polltica
capital say it, with large opportunities
of knowing its truth, that no people evel
more anxiously desired peace and quiet
and their very first wish is a restoration tc
the Union under the shield CT the con
stitution. Impoverished. tired Of war
their greatest need is peace, and theil
most ardent wish is for the repose it woulC
bring.
It is also alleged that Northern citizens
cannot emigrate to the South with safety
This is also untrue for believe it is :
universal wish that immigration, TO large
extent, should take place Of steady ant
useful citizens. 1t is true that politica
| pa6lars who come South to fOiSt them