Jackson and Calhoun --- A Striking Picture

A scene at the White House in 1833, at the lodging of John C. Calhoun the same night, and death-bead scene at the Hermitage, were this graphically portrayed by Senator Cowan, of Pennsylvania, in the debate on the Confiscation Bill.  It is a very striking picture:–

MR. PRESIDENT:– If Calhoun had been executed for his treason in 1833, there would have been no rebellion now; and perhaps he came nearer his execution than most people are aware.  You will know the conspirators in South Carolina proceeded to the commission of the overt act.

Calhoun was the chief adviser.  General Jackson knew it well, and determined that the law should be put in execution against him; not against the poor misguided men that followed, but against the chief conspirator.  He had resolved on his prosecution and trial, and if convicted, his execution for treason.  He said that if he had an Attorney General that would not draw an indictment, he would find one that would.  Things were approaching the crisis.  Calhoun became aware of Jackson’s determination, and sent Letcher of Kentucky to confer with him on the subject, and to learn his real intentions.  He went to the President’s house.  It was already late at night.  The President received him with his usual courtesy; but, sir, that mild blue eye, which at times would fill with tears and overflow like that of a woman, was kindled up that night with unwonted fire.    He reasoned with him for a while, then paced the floor.  His indignation became fully aroused.  At times he stormed in passion towering and sublime, till rising in passion to is full height, his frame dilating and quivering, every feature flowing with the living fire within, with that oath which in him never seemed profane, but the struggle of a great soul to take hold of the Almighty for the strength of his purpose, he declared to Letcher that if another step was taken, by the Eternal, he would try Calhoun for treason, and if convicted, he would hang him on a gallows as high as Haman’s.

Letcher could not misunderstand his purpose.  He saw that he was terrible in earnest.  From that interview he hastened to the lodgings of Calhoun.  He had retired to his bed.

He knocked at his bed chamber and was admitted.  Calhoun received him sitting up in bed, with his cloak around him – Letcher detailed all that occurred, giving the entire conversation between him and Jackson and described the old hero as he took that oath.

There sat Calhoun, drinking in eagerly every word, and as Letcher proceeded, he became pale as death, and trembled like an aspen leaf.  Yes, sir, Calhoun, great as he was in intellect, quaked in his bed!  And for what?  Was it from fear or cowardice?  Ah, no.  It was the consciousness of guilt.  He was the arch traitor, who, like Satan in Paradise, brought death into the world and all our woe.  Within one week he came into the Senate, and voted for every section of Mr. Clay’s bill and Gen. Jackson was prevailed upon not to prosecute him for his crime.

I have been told, upon authority upon which I rely, that during the last days of Gen. Jackson at the Hermitage he was slowly sinking under the ravages of consumption – that mysterious disease, which while it wastes the body, leaves, if possible, the mind more clear, and nearer to inspiration – he had a conversation with his family physician and friend.

While lying upon his bed one day, and speaking of his past Administration, he inquired:

What act in my Administration, in your opinion, will posterity condemn with the greatest severity?

The Physician replied that he was unable to answer – that it might be the removal of the deposits.

Oh, no! said the General.

Then it may be the specie Circular?

Not at all!

What is it, then?

I can tell you, said he, rising up in his bed, his eyes kindaling up:  I can tell you.  Posterity will condemn me more because I was persuaded not to hang John C. Calhoun as a traitor than for any other act of my life.

Sir, does not this seen inspiration now?  If Calhoun, the originator of the conspiracy to dissolve the Union, and to build up the Southern Confederacy, had been executed for his reason, we would have had now rebellion now.

The greater part of the whole country which formerly produced the sea island cotton is now thoroughly restored to the Union.  The laborers are there – the soil and climate.  It needs only assurance of protection to revive the cultivation of the staple, as well as to produce vast quantities of corn and forage for our troops.  Since this war must be conducted by marches and battles and sieges, why neglect the best means to make them successful and their results permanent?  It is worthy of notice that thus far the portions of territory which once recovered we have most firmly held, are precisely those in which the greatest proportion of colored men are found.  By their assistance, our armies will be able permanently to operate in and occupy the country; and in labor for the army, in raising its and their own supplies, full occupation can be given them, and with this there will be neither occasion or temptation to them to emigrate to a northern and less congenial climate.

Judging by experience, no colored man will leave his home.  All possibility of competition from negro labor in the North is avoided in giving colored men protection and employment upon the soil which they have thus far cultivated, and the right to which has been vacated by the original proprietors, deeply involved in the crimes of treason and rebellion.  No great territory has been permanently reduced without depriving the leaders of its people of their land and property.  It is these that give power and influence.  Few men have commanding genius and talent to exercise dangerous influences over their fellow men without the adventitious aid of Money and property.  By striking down this system of compulsory labor which enables the leaders of the rebellion to control the resources of the people, the rebellion would die of itself.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 17, 1862, p. 1.  The bottom of this page of the newspaper was torn diagonally from the lower left to the middle of the right.  This article was also published in the Ashtabula Weekly Telegraph, Ashtabula, Ohio, Saturday Morning, December 27, 1862, p. 1, and I have relied heavily on it to reconstruct this Union Sentinel article.