Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-07-28
Portrait Of Cass.
Ertraef from the Speech Of Hon. GeOrg,
Rath6un, W. c. from Ntv York, at III,
Utica R0rabnra,rsi Coupe1fio1

the Jefiersonian Ordinance Of 1887, has dis.
COVERED some new light, and | understand
has written letter TO Tennessee in which
he ayows himself the advocate Of Slavery
Extension. This is sudden and radical
change in the views Of that distinguished
Senator on that question, and propose 10
inquire briefly into the reasons Of that
change. Mr. President, know very well
the views aud feelings of that Senator in
the month Of August, 1916. learned
them from his own lips On the day that
Congress adjourned. aud at the time that
Senator DAVIS of Massachusetts, spoke, up
to the adjournment Of the Senate, Of the
WIlmot Proviso, | met the Senator al the
railroad depot III Washington, aud rode near
TO him, aud conversed freely with him be.
tween that place aud Baltimore. The Sem
aior appe red somewhat excited, spoke
freely and with good deal OF energy upon
the subject Of the Proviso lie stated to
me that every Northern Democratic Sena-
TOR had agreed TO vote for il, aud but for Mr.
Davis speech he would have voted for il.
lie said repeatedly that he regretted very
much that he could moi have recorded his
vote for il, before the adjournment ex.
pressed as much regret as he did, but not
precisely for the same reason. desired
the record-he the popular applause. He
said he never regretted anything more than
the llilure 10 record the votes Of Senators.
Indeed, sir, this was the principal topic Of
conversation 10 Baltimore. This, Mr. Presi-
dent, continued to be his language all the
way to Michigan, as | understand. When
we met again at the Capital. | thought
discovered some symptoms Of that change
10 the Senator'S views, on the subject Of the
Pro,isn. which he has since, by his vote
and letter. 50 clearly demonstrated. Mr.
Brinkerhof Of OHIO. one Of the ablest and
iirmesi OF the supporters Of the Proviso, an
honest and sincere Democrat. know was
warm friend Of the Michigan Senator. aud
preferreI him to all others as the candidate
for the Presidency in ls4s. mentioned
10 him my suspicious. told him the Sen.
aior was in the chrysais state, and that in
my opinion he was preparing to desert, to
turn traitor to the North. TO Freedom. and
to Income soldier under the black banner
Of Aggressive Slavery Mr. Brinkerhofr de.
Eied, disbeleved, and thought was doing
injustice to the Senator. invited me TO go
with him and call on the Senator Who would
satisfy the was mistaken. | expressed my
willingness to 90 with him at any lime. and
assured him of the great pleasure il would
afford me TO find myself mistaken on this
point.
Mr. President, al the suggestion Of Mr. b.
we proceeded al once to the room of the
Senator. We found him somewhat busting
and busy,in his preparation to go out Mr.
B. led of in some casual remarks about the
Prov,so and its prospeeis-ihe hustle in
creased little. The Senator Thought it
premature-beiler to give il the go-by this
session nothing TO be gained by pressing
it now-snffcient for the day is the evil
thereof" was anxious TO bring the thing
TO some point, and for that purpose remark
ed to the Senator that there were important
reasons for pressing that question TO vote
in both branches, which probably had no,
occurred 10 him, and they were these: The
South had usually carried their prints
against the North upon all questions; that
when necessary they had always found dis
honest men enough in both houses OF Con.
gress, who would sell oui and enable them
TO succeed that The same stale Of things
still exisied-that there were men enough
in the market To defeat the Provisu, and
that il would be defeated that we should
be betrayed as we always had been. but
that the defeat would be harmless oihing
would be settled by 1.-THE question would
remain open, and the people who had dis
honest representatives there, whose rights
were TO he battered and betrayed, would
have time to get rid Of the traitors, and send
honest men in their places, befnre the final
settlement oil the question. aud thus we
were to be saved. The Senator replied,
30 if it comes TO the vote, am with you,
you know" "Of course you are" was the
reply. and thus we separated. This CONVEX
sation was some three weeks previous 10
the vote taken OH the Proviso.
But, Mr. President, this is not all have
to say Of the Senator from Michigan, and
his marvellous change. About two weeks
previous 10 The vote which was taken on the
ProVisO, met in the streets of Washington
gentleman Of distinction from one of the
Slave States, now Senator in Congress,
who inquired Of me what thought Of Gen.
Cass My reply was, very little. "WIll
he do as he agrees 7" he asked answered
him. that that depended, in my opinion, al
together upon the consideration. "Well,"
said he, "if he should promise TO vote
against the Proviso, on the ground that the
South are TO support him as the candidate
for the Presidency, do you believe he would
do sol" | told him there was no doubt
aboni H. upon that consideration he was as
sure as death. and though, he might, il he
wished, throw in the hanging Of few
Northern men, in addition. Mr. President,
do not undertake to say, here, that Mr.
Cass made bargain, or the bargain which
have Just referred TO. can only say that
the gentlemen who informed me Of the fact
is man Of honor and unqueslionable ver-
aciiy. He was not party TO the bargain,
hut simply gave il his assent, providing the
General fulfilled his part, which he has
since done TO the letter. Mr. President,
have not seen the Senator's Tennessee let.
Ter. do not know its contents, except up.
on information. am told he says in that
letter, that he thinks he sees, and really
feels a change going on in the Free States
against the Ordinance Of Freedom, and ia
favor Of the Extension Of Slavery. Il ID
said that the change in the Senator is SC
| complete that he av0ws his readiness in that