WRITINGS OF SAl\•I HOUSTON, 1849
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unite with this bank a system of internal improvements by dedi- cating to this object the bonus of the corporation and dividends on the Government shares. This tripled-headed monster of tariff, bank, and internal improvements engrafted on the body of the constitution, drew its whole aliment from taxes imposed on the people; but the deepest draughts were taken from the South, almost the whole expenditure of the system, as well as the local benefit of the improvements made, and the power of all sorts wielded by the eno1;mous money power itself, centered in the North. Mr. Madison put his veto on Mr. Calhoun's vast improve- ment bank bonus bill. But he was not discouraged. He had reported and carried the charter of the late United States Bank, and he continued to pursue, with its help, in Congress, his internal improvement scheme, with indefatigable zeal. As Secretary of War, in Mr. Monroe's cabinet, he pressed on his projects, making reports and even unauthorized -expenditures, to advance them. For proofs on this whole subject, I refer to the notes published by Judge Smith, some years since, which point to the record to establish the facts. In reference to this whole policy, however, Mr. Calhoun shaped an opposite course as soon as Mr. Clay fell and Gen. Jackson's ascendency in the country became apparent. New views of interest totally changed those which he entertained of the constitution: his cherished systems all became utter abomination in his eyes. During his Vice Presidency his organ, the Telegraph uttered volumes of denunciation against them. But after General Jack- son was elevated to the Presidency, ·and the arts of ingratiation as well as of slyly applied compulsion had been in vain tried to open the door through him to the next term of the Presidency, another "change came over the spirit of his dream." No sooner had General Jackson become involved in the doubtful struggle with the money-power, than Mr. Calhoun returned to the support of his off-spring; which he had deserted, but which seemed now to hold out the best hope to him. His Newspaper organ at Wash- ington, which had been most clamorous against the bank nego- tiated a loan, as it was denominated, with Mr. Biddle for $20,000; and then Mr. Calhoun's movements in the Senate and his instru- ments in the press, chimed in harmony with those of the bank party elsewhere. Mr. Calhoun again deserted the bank after it fell into utter disgrace, and gave himself up to :Mr. Van Buren
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