The Daily spy., 1848-09-20

GEN. CAsS VS.. THE wILMoT PRoyIso.
We rePublsh the following extracts from Gen.
Casss letter in opposition to the Wilmot ProvIso.
at the request ofsevera of our democratic friends
Inc whole letter is too long for columns
WAsHINGToN, Dec. "a, IS47.
DEAR SIR:-I have received your letter, and
shall answer it as frankly as it is written.
You ask me whether | am in favor of the ac-
qulsluon oil Mexican territory, and what are nv
sentiments in regard to the Wilmot Proviso. :
The Wilmot Proviso has been before the coun
try some time. 1t has been repeatedly discussed
in Congress, and by the public Press. am
strongly impressed acith the opinion that q
CHaWGE has been going on in the public
mind upon this subiect-in NY OWN" as 1yeH
as others; and that doubts are revolving them.
selves into conviction, that THE PRINCIPLE
1T INVOLVES SHOULD BE KEPT OUT OF
THE LEGISLATURE, and left to The people of
the contederacy in their respective local govern
mentS.
Blietiy, then, am opposed to the exercise of
any jurisdiction by Congress OUer this matter
and am in favor of leaving to the people of any
territory which may be hereafter acquired, the
right to regulate it for themselves under the gen.
eral principles of the Constitution. Because
l. do not see in the Constitution ana grant
@herequiStte pOooer to Congress and am rot
disposed to extend doubtful precedent bevond
its necessity-the establishment of territorial
governments when needed leaving to the in
habitants all the rights compatible with the re-
lauons they bear to the Confederation.
2 Because believe this measure if adopted.
would weaken, if not impair, the Union of the
States; and would sow the seed offuture discord.
which would grow up and ripen into an abundant
harvest OF calamity.
g. Because believe general c0nUiction, that
such proposition aU0lld succeed aro,tld lead to
an immediate a0ithstOiing of the suppt,es. and
thus to dishonOrabie termination ofthe aoar.-
think no disPassionate observer at the seat of
government can doubt the result
4. If, however, in this am under misappre
hension, am under none OF the practical opera
tons of this restriction, if adopted by Congress
upon treaty of peace making an acquisition of
Mexican territory. Such TreatV WOULD
BE REJECTED JUST AS CERTAINLY AS
PRESETED TO THE SENATE More than
third of that body would vote against it. view
ing such principle as an EXCLUSION OF
THE CITIZENS OF SLAVEHoL DING
STATES FROM A PARTICIPATION IN
THE BENEFITS ACQUIRED BY THE
TREASURE AND EXERTIONS OF ALI.
AND WHICH SHOULD BE COMMON TO
ALL. g&
In this aspect OF the matter, THE PEOPLE
OF THE UNITED STATES MUST CHOOSE
BETWEEN THIS RESTRICTION ANDTHE
EXTENSION OF THEIR TERRITORIAL
LIMITS. They cannot have both; and which
they will surrender must depend upon their rep
resentatives first, and then, if these fail them,
upon themselves.
But their is another important consideration.
which ought not to be lost sight of, in the inves
tigation Of this subject The question that pre-.
sents itself is not question of the increase hut
OF the diffusion of slavery. Whether its sphere
be stationary or progressive, ITS AMOUNT
WILL ETHE SAME. The rejection of this
restriction will not add one to the class of seryi.
tude, nor will its adoption give freedom to sim
gle being who is now placed therein The same
numbers will be spread over greater territory
and so far as compression, with less abundance of
the necessaries of life, is evil, so far will that
evil be mitgated by transporting slaves to new
country, and giving them larger space to occu.
py.GD ~ a.
-
The Wlmot proviso seeks to take from its leo
ltimate tribunal question Of domestic policy hay.
ing no relation to the Union, as such. and IN
transfer it to another created by the people for
special purpose, and foreign to the subject mat.
ter involved in this issue. By going back to our
true principles, we go back to the road of peace
and safety. Leave to the people, who will be
affected by this question: to adjust il unon tbeir