The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-03-09

efforts, Ahel Z. Upshf1r, the Secretary
of State, a man Of exceptional ability,
in whose han Is were the negotiations
on the part o! our country, met with
sudden death by the bursting OF
cannon on the United States steamer
Princeton, On the Potomac, in Feb
ruary, 1914. Those who favored the
union Of the two countries, in view cf
the strong hostility to tbs measure IN
the North and abroad, ielt that q
faithful and capable Parlinurlis should
be at liz helm. To secure Calhoun,
then III voluntary retirement, to the
State Department and the manage
ment Of this vital question, was con-
sif:ered OF supreme Importance. The
position had many disadvantages, but
Calhoan. with his unerring statesman
ship, saw the cpportune season ana
seized it, on the invitation OF the
President, to enhance the value o! the
Union and the security of the South.
President Tyler, notwithstanding his
undoubted patriotism, had lost the
friendship OF the party which elected
him, and failed to enjoy the confidence
of the Democrats Calhoun, in the
State Department, revived the hopes
of the Democracy and inspired fresh
hope and courage in the breasts OF
those who tayored annexation. With
the ardor OF his nature, he took up the
pending negotiations and conducted
them with marvellous skill. His let
tiers to King and Shannon, our Minis
ters to France and Mexico, illuminate
our diplomatic history and furnish
State papers which rank with those OF
Jeffesson and Adams and Webster
He detected and exposed and defeated
the conspiracy on the part OF England
and other foreign nations, and saw
that their Vaccinations were hostile
to our agricultural and commercial
interests and the safety of the "pecu-
liar institution" of the South. When
Congress met, the debates were pro-
longed and able. / heard speeches
from Colquitt, of Georgia; Haywood,
of North Carolina Hannegan, of In
DIANA Walker of Mississippi Allen,
of Ohio, and McDuffie, OF South Car
DINA. A treaty to perfect annexation
was pending, but, through the influ-
ence OF Clay and Van Buren,, the
Wings, and some of those then called
"Hunker" Democrats, the Tyler-Ca1-
houn treaty was defeated, or rather
temporarily delayed. So strong was
the popular voice in favor of annex
alton, method of joint resolution, in
lieu of the treaty, was devised and
adopted, being passed, as I remember,
three days before the Inauguration Of
Polk. It's terms were promptly ac-
cepted by Texas, and the "Lone STAR"
in December, 1916, became one Of the
constellation of States. Although
Calhoun and Tyler and Polk were de-
nounced, and Massachusetts, threat.
ened to resist, and adopted resolutions
as violent and unpatriotic as she did
about the purchase of Louisiana and
the war of 1912, yet subsequent eyents
have vindicated the craftsmanship
which then prevailed. While Tyler,
Upshur, Polk, Jackson, Walker, ard
others, must not be forgotten in as
cribing credit for the addition to the
Union, more than to any other man is
the country indebted to Calhoun for
the incorporation of the great empire
within our territorial limits. While,
not like some modern manifest des-
tiny politicians, Calhoun did not
consider that highest craftsmanship
consists in acquiring remote colonies
and alien peoples, he was not afraid Ct
the acquisition Of coterminous State,
peopled by homogeneous Americans,
believing that the most diverse III
terests and communities could Re
united in peaceful and successful CO.
operation under our constitutional,
federal system, which recognizes the
rights and self-government of States.
The Inauguration of the President.
which I witnessed, brought lare 9
concourse of visitors to Washington,
and the composition of the new Cab
met was much discussed. It was not,
as I remember, until the day before
the Inauguration that the appoint
ment of Secretary of State was made
public. Calhoun had not disguised
his desire TO retain the portfolio until
annexation, which he had brought so
near conclusion, was favorably ended.
At that time there was division,
more personal than political, anon Z
the supporters of the Presid ant-elect.
This was not definitely marked, but
undoubtedly existed, and the side adj
verse to Calhoun, which was under the
influence OF Wright, Benton, and Van
Buren,, was somewhat in tie ascendant.