It is but too common, of late, to condemn the acts of our predecessors and to pronounce them unjust, unwise, or unpatriotic from not adverting to the circumstances under which they acted. Thus, to judge is to do great injustice to the wise and patriotic men who preceded us. John C. Calhoun actadvertcircumstance share on social
Fanatics, as a class, have far more zeal than intellect and are fanatics only because they have. There can be no fanaticism but where there is more passion than reason; and hence, in the nature of things, movements originating in it run down in a short time by their folly and extravagance. John C. Calhoun classextravagancefanatic share on social
It is a fundamental rule with me not to vote for a loan or tax bill till I am satisfied it is necessary for the public service, and then not if the deficiency can be avoided by lopping off unnecessary objects of expenditure or the enforcement of an exact and judicious economy in the public disbursements. John C. Calhoun avoidbilldeficiency share on social
So long as the Oregon question is left open, Mexico will calculate the chances of a rupture between us and Great Britain, in the event of which she would be prepared to make common cause against us. But when an end is put to any such hope, she will speedily settle her difference with us. John C. Calhoun britaincalculatechance share on social
There is but one nation on the globe from which we have anything serious to apprehend, but that is the most powerful that now exists or ever did exist. I refer to Great Britain. John C. Calhoun apprehendbritainexist Change image and share on social
I am, on principle, opposed to war and in favor of peace because I regard peace as a positive good and war as a positive evil. John C. Calhoun evilfavorgood Change image and share on social
The day that the balance between the two sections of the country - the slaveholding States and the non-slaveholding States - is destroyed is a day that will not be far removed from political revolution, anarchy, civil war, and widespread disaster. John C. Calhoun anarchybalancecivil share on social
When the period arrives - come when it may - that this government will be compelled to resort to internal taxes for its support in time of peace, it will mark one of the most difficult and dangerous stages through which it is destined to pass. John C. Calhoun arrivecompeldangerous share on social
I am utterly opposed to all equivocation or obscure expressions in our public acts. We are bound to say plainly what we mean to say. If we mean negotiation and compromise, let us say it distinctly and plainly instead of sending to the President a resolution on which he may put whatever interpretation he pleases. John C. Calhoun actbindcompromise share on social
There is often, in the affairs of government, more efficiency and wisdom in non-action than in action. John C. Calhoun actionaffairefficiency Change image and share on social