Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-06-14

tHdt Is WIoIlS. AC Idu TIC iioldi So1i"SC ~ |
stand up for the right, whatever might be
the consequences.
During this session of Congress hostili-
ties commenced between the United States
and the Republic Of Mexico. General
Cass advocated the most energetic meas
ures for vigorous prosecution Of the war,
and for carrying it into the heart of the
enemy's country.
In the winter l847, the ssWilmot Pro-
viso'' was introduced into the Senate, as
an amendment to the three-million bill, by
a Federal Senator from New England
The design of the mover was evidently to
defeat the passage of the bill, to which it
was to attached, and to embarrass the
Administration in the prosecution of the
war. General Cass voted against the pro-
viso, for reasons given in his speech on
the occasion. A.. iii ....
1t was during the sessions Of this Con-
gress that the tariff of 1916, and the indie
pendent treasury, were established. 1t is
not alone to the exclusive champion of
free trade, and the ultra advocate of
hard-money currency. that the opponents
Of protection and the enemies Of paper
currency are to look for the defeat of those
measures. Such men are usually in the
pursuit of some theoretical abstraction,
which gives them but little influence with
practical men. But it is tomen of enlarg-
ed liberal views, whose strength Of char
acter and influence carry conviction with
their action, that the county is indebted
for radical and beneficial reforms. Gen
eral Cass gave to these great measures
the weight of his influence and his jealous
and uniinching support. At the close Of
that Congress General Cass was invited,
by the Democratic members of the Legis
lature of New York, to partake of pub
lie dinner at Albany, as mark of their APP
probation of his brilliant public services
: and their estimation Of his character as a
man. This honor, however he declined.
In August, following, he delivered an
address before the literary societies OF
, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, at
F., the annual commencement of that institu
= ton. The societies aiterward prepared
an elegant gold headed cane, with appro-
pirate devices, which was presented to him
;, in Washington, on the 4,h of March, 1913.
o On the meeting Of the present Congress
n General Cass was elected chairman Of the
: Committee ON Military Aiiairs-a post for
which he was most eninently qualified, and
+ which as he had been unanimously select
ed, he considered it his duty to accept
: His course as chairman Of that committee,
h and his views upon tie war question,
have been seen in the daily proceedings Of
: the Senate. The following brief reply, to
$ Mr.. Mangum, is probably as good sum-
mary OF his opinions as can be given:
r "Now with respect to the progress of the war, ii
is said that General Scott is going on from town to
town. and from city to city, conluering all before
n him. am very glad to hear it. hope that the
= nanding general will continue to go in this way
! If he does have doubt he will conquer Mex
l. lean obstinacy, and thus conquer peace. have
o already expressed my opinions with regard to the
st in Mexico, and have nothing to say the sub
II jet now, except to tell the Senator from North Car
DINA hat had the honor to say to the Senator from
II South Carolina, that the adoption of resolutions
e in this Senate with regard to any dangerf danger
1t there TEN the progress of this war, would be hut
l. as the idle wind. You might as well stand by the
= caa act Of Niagara, and say to its waters ssow not'
< to the American people ssaDneN not territory,
r they choose to it. 1t is the refusal of the
is Mexican people to do justice that prolongs this
= war. 1t is that which operates on the public mind
and leads the Senator from North Carolina to arprc
bend state ofthngs which he fears, but which, foI
myself do not anticipate. Let me say, Mr.. Presi-
dent, that takes great deal to kill this country
= We have had an alarming crisis almost every veal
n as long as can recolett. came on the stage
= spectator before MIR. Jefferson elected. THAT
. crisis. Then came the embargo crisis-the
~ crisis of the non-ntert ourse-of the warof the
= lank-of the tarh-of the removal of the deppsites
J.; and score of others. But have outvet
:. them a and advanced in all the elements of power
II aud prosperity with rapidity heretofore unknown
in the history of nations. If we should swallow
Mexico to- morrow, do not believe it would kill us
= The Senator from North Carolina and myself may
'e not live to see it, but am by means satisfied
= that the day will no, come iii which the whole Of the
y, vast country around us will form one of the mos
" magnificent empires that the world has yet seen
glorious in ITS prosperity, and still more glorious I
" the establishment and perpetuaton ofthe principles
y of free government and the blessings which they
!, bring with them.
e In December, l847, Gen. Cass gave his
4 views at length upon the ''Wilmot Provi-
to so,' in letter to Mr.. Nicholson, of Ten
3 nessee. In that letter he avowed himself
u opposed to the measure, and to the exer-
&c else of any Legislation by Congress, over
re any OF the territories OF the United States
D respecting the domestic relations of their
lie inhabitants. He believed that all questions
D. Of that nature should be settled by the peo-
,e pie themselves, who ought to be allowed
a, ''to regulate their internal concerns in theil
IS own way" and that Congress has no more
r power to abolish or establish slavery ir
e. such territories, than it has to regulate
Of any other of the relative duties of socia
d, liie-that of husband and wife, of parent
e. and child, or of master and servant. II.
said, in conclusions:
>, ssThe sWilmot Proviso' seeks to take from it
" Legitimate tribunal question of domestic policy
y having relation to the Union such, to ransfc
it to another created by the people for special pur
"a pose, and foreign to the subbectmatter involved il
~ this issue. By going back to true principles
~ we go back to the road of peace and safety. Leav
to the people, who will be affected by this question
to adjust it upon their responsibility and in thei
, own manner, and shall render another tribute t.
Il, the original principles of our Government, and fur
nish another guarantee for its permanence and pros
~ 10 perity."
IS, Husband, what remarkable children
20 we do have ......
We 'Oh, yes, wife; it seems like judge
ment from Providence. They will rul
re me all out in buying books, such is thei
is appetite for learning
n