Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1848-08-10
The late charges against Gen. s'ass.

" Nils 'etistt /: u GiS PiCSCut jim
Is an unenviable one even to ~a5plrants 10 the mos
ordinary of public offices. Accusations Of poIiti.
Cal Inconsistencies, double-dealing and wo-lacet
principles, have become so common of late years
against every description OF candidate for public
~tavors, that The masses have began to treat with in
difference all shades of dennnc.ation made againsl
those who are either with or opposed to them in
political feeling. And up to the present time, al
though there have been some of the ~severest charges
ever recorded, Of political inconsistency, treachery
and lngratitude, against the nominee of the Bali
more Convention for the Presidency. bcariu.g upon
their face the most palpable correctness, yet we
may probably say with truth, that all this has had
comparatively but little influence upon the minds
OF those who blindlv md heeG.essly proclaimed
themselves his political adherents, from the day be
was heralded as the Democratic candidate for he
Chief Magis'racy. But when charges against this
distinguished parsonage have changed their color
and nature, and assumed a hue and character inim>
lcal to the standing of Geu. Cass as a correct and
high minded citizen, and deletelions 10 the honor of
the American people, it is high time that his coun-
awaken from their lethargy, and proae TO
the core such disgracefnI and criminal imputations.
We allude TO the recent expose contained in the
Louisville Journal, wherein Lewis Cass is charged.
and distinguished authority given as evidence of
the fact, with high misdemeanor in office, and Dir
rectly impntes to MIN the crime of swindling those
associated with him III a scheme or species of gatnb.
ling-for the purchase and monopoly of public
lands, to enrich themselves by means ofmoney and
the aid of Cass's high Office as the then Secretary
OF War, through the purses of the hard working
poor, the bulwark of our country. whose only
wealth lay in the soil which their hard earnings
purchased and their hardy sinews cultivated.
General Cass, from all accounts, is extremely
wealthy, produced by TIE purchase and sale of pub.
lie lands in the West. If it is admitted that he
hrs ever speculated TO any extent in this manner,
we all know the temptations by which such a mind
would be influenced, and therefore must acknow-
ledge that this charge Of corruption and swindling
has something at least of a reasonable foundation;
and If it turns out 10 @be really true in substance,
establishes the Locofoco candidate for the Presiden-
cy as the prince of knaves and 'lnd-speculators-
that he not only fraudulently retained money not
his own, but made use of it 10 purchase large tracts
of the public domain, which he retained and after
wards sold to the poor farmer and emigrant for
sums that have created a fame of wealth, haughti-
ness and aristocracy for the ex-Ninister and idoli-
zing adnirer of the monarchical pomp, the delu-
sion and RIGHTEOUSNESS, which tainted the air of
France when it had its "King and Court"
If this serious charge be established, the friends
Of Gen. Cass may revel in their delight in the sup
port of a man for the Chief Magistracy who has
helped 10 enrich himself by trampling upon those
laws which bind and preserve US as an honorable
and high minded people, but every proud and ele-
waited soul throughout our vast Republic, whatever
his political tenets. will shrink from the bare idea of
indicating or unfolding for any station, one who
SO wilfully violates every honorable principle, and
sets at defiance the statutes which hold responsible
for his acts the most exalted as well as the humbIest
of American citizens.
But it isJaot the part Of a good citizen to condemn
another without hearing his defence. We hope
Gen. Cass will make this defence, and for the ho-
nor Of the nation, that he will clear himself of
SO heinous and criminal. However much
w MuJ oiSiinO AuA dc 3tdtcsuldH anu pUiHtICluI-I
for the manner in which he has changed about upon
subjects which a man of his intelligence could
have made up his mind in ia nomept, and his eva
reply to his friends at Cleveland, prove him to
be politically dishonest and a trickster-we should
dislike to see it proved that at heart he is dishonest,
and unworthy to be trusted in private affairs.
1t will not answer, for General Cass 10 remain
upon those charges. If he cannot clear him
or attempts to escape by treating them with si-
lence and contempt, it will arouse the feelings of
all honest men throughout the Union, create a sem
sation Of loathing and indignation, blast his hopes
of Presidential or all future political eminence, cast
a blot as direlnl as the Upas shade upon the page Of
history, and like the tabled garment of Nessus.
in Telemachus, stick to him-a memen-
to of his meanness-a record of his dishonor-a
Of his conscious guilt!
La PATRA We are gratiied at perceiving that
this ably conducted paper, printed in New Or
leans, aud the organ of the Hispano>American po-
of that city, has dotted its neutrality, and
come OUT for Taylor and Fillmore. The Patria
prove a most efficient auxiliary in the good
cause. We welcome II intn the ranks and trust It