Rhode Island American

MR. CALHOUN'S PROSPECTS.

FROM THE WASHINGTON REPUBLICAN OF FRIDAY LAST.

Nothing can be more inconsistent than the course of those who are opposed to Mr. Calhoun. They profess to believe that he has no chance—not the slightest; while, at the same time, they direct the whole weight of their attacks against him. Such is the course of Ritchie, of Colvin, of Brins, and of Noah; and we regret to see it countenanced by the friends of some of the other candidates. Now, for the consolation of these gentlemen, we inform them that Mr. Calhoun's friends were never more sanguine than at the present moment. We are not in the habit of descending into minute arithmetical calculations, as to the chances of the several candidates, which, although they seem to rest upon the certainty of numbers, are the mere workings of the imaginations of political partisans. If we were so disposed, we could easily demonstrate that Mr. Calhoun is the first choice of South and North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, and Connecticut; in addition to which, he is strong in the fact, that there are fewer objections against him than against any other candidate. But waiving these views, we appeal to every judicious man, whether Pennsylvania, at the present time, is not the most important of all the States that constitute the confederacy. She has been emphatically called the key-stone of the federal arch; and the assertion was never more true than on the present occasion. It cannot be doubted but that the whole of the Middle States will ultimately declare for the candidate that may be supported by Pennsylvania; and, whatever may be said to the contrary, we predict with confidence that this democratick State will declare for Mr. Calhoun.