Thursday, December 5, 2024

Senator John C. Calhoun to James Edward Calhoun, April 15, 1848

Washington 15th April 1848

MY DEAR SIR, Your letter indicates much and mature reflection on the character and tendency of the present great crisis of the civilized world. It is clear, that the old monarchies on the continent of Europe are about coming to an end. The intelligence and progress of the age have out grown them; but it is by no means certain, that they are so advanced and enlightened on political science, as to substitute more suitable ones in their place. I fear they are not. It seems to me, that what is called the progress party, both in this country and in Europe, have not advanced in political knowledge beyond Dorrism; that is, the right of a mere majority to overturn law and constitution at its will and pleasure. They must be cured of this radical and most dangerous of all errors, before they can substitute in the place of those that may be overthrown, better Governments. Nothing but woful [sic] experience can apply a remedy; except perhaps in Germany, where the advantage of an existing system of confederation of states, and the dread of France from the experience of the first revolution, may lead to establish a federal system some what like ours. I have far more hope of her, than of France, or any other of the continental Countries. Indeed, I look to her to save Europe, including France herself.

What I propose to publish on the subject of Government is not yet prepared for the press. I had hoped to have had it prepared last fall; but was so interrupted, as to fall far short of my calculation. I am, and fear will continue to be, too much occupied here during the session to do anything towards its completion, but will resume it, as soon as I return home. I do not think anything will be loast by the delay. I do not think the publick mind is yet fully prepared for the work, nor will be, until there has been such failure and embarassment in the French experiment (which will be made under highly favourable circumstances) as will bring into distrust and doubt, Dorrism, so as to prepare the publick mind to have its errors and consequences pointed out, and to reflect seriously on the question: What are the elements, which are indispensible to constitute a constitutional popular Government?

I am obliged to you for the suggestions you have made, both in reference to the topicks to be discussed, and the precautions to be adopted in securing the copy right. My plan is to divide it into two parts; an elementary treatise on political science, to be followed by a treatise on the Constitution of the United States, not in the shape of commentaries, but a philosophical discussion on its character and constitution in illustration of the elementary Treatise. To avoid details, as much as possible. I propose to annex the various Speeches,

Reports and letters, in which I have discussed Constitutional questions, and to refer to them in illustration of my opinion of the various parts of the Constitution, to which they relate. I hope I may have so far completed my labours, before I leave home next fall, as to enable me to submit the work to your perusal.

I wait the meeting of the Convention in France and the German Diet with deep interest. They will afford much light by which to judge the future.

I see no reason to doubt, but we shall [have] peace with Mexico. The administration intended to conquer and annex the country, but were defeated by my speech on my resolutions which so effectually turned the tide of publick sentiment as to compelled them to take Trist's treaty.1
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1 The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848, signed by Nicholas P. Trist as commissioner for the United States.

SOURCE: J. Franklin Jameson, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1899, Volume II, Calhoun’s Correspondence: Fourth Annual Report of the Historical Manuscripts Commission, Correspondence of John C. Calhoun, p. 749-51

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