The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-06-17


States and shs republic oflsMcxico.-
GJxEas udvocated the moskenefgetic
measures for q vigorous prosecution oi
the war;hnd Tor carrying Il into the
l,earSofthe enemy 'scountry.assis'raAs
n the winter sof ,s47, the "Wilmot
Provisoia' was introduced into The Sen.
ale, MS an amendment 10 The three mil
lion bill, by federal senator from New
England. The design Of the mover
wAsuevldently 10 defeat the passage Of
the bill toiwhichit was to be attached,
and TO embarrass the administration mi
tilgspfUyecuticnofN thes war. eseneraa
Cassvo against the proviso,ior rea-
s6ns'gisen ia his speecll 'on the occa-
sion. egaalisb E-ii asagailsa q, fi'
twas during the session 0. this Con-
gress that the tariff Of lS46, and the 'n'
dependent treasury were established.-
Itis not alone to the exclusive cham
pion ;of free trade, and the ultra advo-
cate Of hard-money currency, that the
opponents Of protection, and The enc
mics OF q paper currency, are to look Tor
the defeat of those measures Such
men are usually in theipursuit OF some
theoretical abstraction, which gives
them but little influence with practical
men. But il is to men of enlarged and
liberal views, whose strength OF char
octer and influence carry conviction
vv;,b their action, that the country is
indebted for radical and beneficial re-
forms. Gen. Cass gave to these great
measures the weight Of his influence,
and his Jealous and unflnching support:
At the close Of that Congress. General
Cass was invited, by the democratic
members of the legislature OF New
York, to partake Of public dinner at
Albany as mark Of their appreciation
ofhis brilliant public services, and their
estimation Of his character as man,
This honor, however, he declined.
In August following, he delivered an
address before the literary societies ol
Dartmouth College, New Hampshire,
at the annual commencement OF that
institution. The society afterwards
prepared an elegant gold-headed cane,
with appropriate devices, which was
presented TO him in Washington on the
4th Of March, 1913. gad 2aa
On the meeting, Of the present Con-
eress, Gen. Cass was elected Chairman
ofthe Committee on Military Affairs
aopost for which he wasmos, emlnently
Qualified, and which, as he had been
unanimously selected, he considered II
his duty 10 accept. His course as
chairman of that committee, and his
views upon the war question, have been
seen in the daily proceedings OF, the
Seante. The following brief reply to
Mr.. Mangum is probably as good q
summary Of his opinion as can be g'ven'
aNo ", with respect to the progress
OF the war, it is said that General Scott
IS going on from town to town, and
from city to city, conquering every
thing before him. ! am very glad &c
hear It. ! hope that the commanding
general will continue TO 60 on IN thl'
Way. If he does so, | have no doub
he will conquer Mexican obstinacy
and thus conquer peace. ! have al
ready expressed my opinion with re
eard'to the war in Mexico, and have
nothing to say on the subject now, ex
cept'to tell the senator from North Gar
olina, what | had the honor TO say u
The senator from South Carolina, tina
the adoption Of any resolutions in thi
Senate with regard to any danger,
danger there be-in the progress OF TN,
war, would be but as the idle WIND
You might as well stand by the catar
act Of Niagara, and say TO its waters
sf'ow not, as to the American peopl,
.annex no, terrilory,' if they choose Il
annex ii. I. is the refusal of the Mex
can people to do US justice that pro
longs This war. Il is that which ope
rates on the public mind, and leads III
senator from North Carolina 10 appre
hcnd a, state OF things which he fears
but which, for myseIf,,f do not an,ici
pate. Let me say Mr.. President, tha
Ii takes great deal 10 kill this country
Wehave had an alarming crisis almos
every year as long as ! can. recollec
I,caMe on the public stage as a spect;
Tor before Mr.. Jefferson was elected
That was a crisis. Then came th
embargo crisis-the crisis Of the nor
intercourse-of the war-of the bank
OF tie tariff-of the removal of the d,
.posites--and score of others. .Br
we have ou.lived them all, and advant
ed in all the elements Of power an
prosperity with a rapidity here.ofor
inknowniin ia the history Of nations.
we should swallow Mexico to-morrov
1 do not believe il would kill us, Tt
senator from North Carolina and, N,