Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-06-06


are. however, given; for, while it may be conce-
ded that every thing affirmed in The TIN and 9Th
resolutions OF The Virginia Democratic Conven.
ton is true, yet, in the practical administration
OF The General Government, the President OF The
United States could mol in The nature OF things,
be called on TO perform any duty IN reference 10
the power of the Legislature, or OF the people OF
territory, 10 prohibit lSe introduction OF slavery
within The same. Over the legislation Of lerri-
lorial legislature, or The political action oil Inc
people of such territory on the subject, and which
can alone be had by the fundamentally OF Inc
territorial egslaiure, the Presiden! oil the Uniied
States has no control, and can constIIulionaiy
have none. He has no veto power in reference
to territorial egislation-lhat stands as inde-
pepdent of him as the legislation Of any oil me
States; and hence i, may be inferred thai Mf.
Cass moi contemplating the possibility that, u
elevated to the Presidency, he SHOULD De caileu
on TO do any thing 10 restraint OF the Legislation
OF territory, has not spoken directly TO mat pon
Now can the Democratic party OF Virginia DC
reproached, with TRUTH for the abandonment oil any
principle or doctrine announced in The resolutions
adopted by the February Conventions When
those resolutions were first introduced, objection
was raised 10 The TIN and S,h by member OF The
Convention. because from the Interpretation ne
placed on them, they would exclude Mr.. bncn'
anan, Mr.. Polk, Mr. Cass and Mr. Dallas from
our support, and he propounded the distinct ques-
lion. if Mr.. Buchanan shall be The nominee Oh
the Baltimore Convention, can we vote iof MN
consistently with those resolutions, and Il was an
swered by several yes zoe can, and no one dlSse"'
ed. Here then was an Interpretation gwen them
co,emporaneously with their adoption as con-
tras,ed with The publicly declared opinions oil MI.
Buchanan; and when those opinions are COM
pared with those of Mr.. Cass, there IS strong
and marked concurrence in them. Mr.. Cass
speaks of the able letter Of Mr.. Buchanan, and
that he presents similar considerations with great
force. Mr.. Cass and Mr.. Buchanan both adopt
the Missouri compromise line OF SO degrees and
30 minutes north latitude as the limit OF slavery,
and The Slh resolution OF the Virginia Democrat
ic Convention was amended in The Convention
upon the suggestion ofthe President, Mr.. Patton,
by adding these words: "E1cep, SO far as that be-
ing unwilling TO disturb the Missouri compro-
mise. we are content with adherence TO lis prin-
ciples."
Does mol the foregoing brief expose show what
are the opinions Of Mr.. Cass on the Wilmot
Proviso7 Il proves him 10 be The firm and avow-
ell opponeu, of this disracling and pesiiterous
propositon, and that he is opposed 10 The cIcrc1ss
of any jurisdiction By Congress oucr hts matter"
It establishes that Mr.. Cass's opinions are conci.
dent with those entertained b. the people OF the
Slavcholding States, ani arc openly and firmly
maintained, by power OF argument, and decis.
ion of purpose, which proves his good faith and
entire sincerity. 1t demonstrates that Mr.. Cass
thinks and SO avows his opinions, that TO exclude
slavery from any OF the territories OF the United
States, either by the action of Congress or that
Of the territorial Legislature, or the people OF a
territory, "would be 10 weaken il not impair The
Union Of The States, and would sow the seeds OF
future discord, which would grow up and ripen
into an abundant harvest of calamity"
And now we submit, 10 every dispassonae
and fair reasoncr, to every unprejudiced and
we'll balanced intellect if Mr.. Cass does not con-
form in his opinions, with those expressed in the
Tth and 9Th resolutions OF the Virginia Democra-
tic Convention2 Can i, be otherwise, unless this
good and wise man meant TO admi, that which IS
contradictory 10 ITSELF, that on this delicate and
dstractng question of Slavery, Congress could
not in,erdic, It's introduction into a territory,
without; weakening and impairing "Ike Union
OF The States" and yet territorial legislature,
created by Congress or The people Of territory,
who inhabit il only by The PERMISSION Of Con
fress, can perform this high and sovereign act
without such dangerous and disastrous conse-
quences-an absurdiiy 50 striking, that none can
suppose Mr. Cass can have committed il. We
have confined these remarks strictly 10 answers 10
the three inlerrosatories which head This article.
We do not choose for The present. at least to COM
ment on the newborn zeal which impelslhe Wing
press TO assail Gen. Cass for falling short Of his
duty to Southern rights, or 10 complain OF South.
ern men, that they are ready TO support him
as President, because they believe him 10 be
sound in principle and practice upon these mo
mentous questions. Wepass over the fact, that
the Wings have presented and can present NO
candidate for the Presidency more uncxception
able than General Cass in regard to the question
o. slavery. We leave TO the serious and sober
reflection Of the American people the remem
brance of the undisputed and yet unnoticed
fact by the Wing Editor, that every Southern
Wing press has endeavored to disparage ant
bring into disrepute every strong and bod North
ern mar who has stood up for the compromise
of the Constitution on the subject Of Slavery
while they have covered with praises all al
home and abroad who have villficd the South
and endeayored to bring mo odium its slavery
Institution. We would rather see in power al
open enemy on this question, than the hypocritt
who protesting conservatism, yet ptaclses the
greatest ultraisr.
We have taken some pains TO make this expo
sion from the sole desire TO vindicate the actor
Of the large and respectable delegation a. Balii
more, of which we formed most humble mem
Der. We are proud to say that our cooscienc,
upholds all ha, we did in Baltimore. We aces
calmly and dispsssonacly, and with what W
considered due regard 10 our obligations 10 tn
Democracy of Virginia, and TO the welfare an
perpe,ui,y of our glorious Union. Had We N
better evidence Of the soundness Of Lewis Gas
on Southern rights the tientish hatred with whc
be is assailed by thu Abo!ilionist Barnburners 0
New York would poin! him out as man 10 b
cherished and sustained by the South. But un
der his own hand we have most direct and posi-
tive testimony, that the Southern Democrat.
may safely en,rust its destinies 10 Lewis Gas
and VIM. o. Builer-and, with this conviction
we enter the canvass, proud of The champions Q
our principles, and resolved to stand by our glo
rious flag.
We shall not waste our ammunition in pro
Ior,ad CONTROVERSY uih the Whio Dress which