New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-09-21

Gen. Cass at Home.
There was large meeting Of the friends of Gen
TAYLOR ia Detroit few days since, Including
many prominent Democrats which was called to
order By Hon john NoRELL, Mr.. Polk's District
Attorney for Michigan. on whose motion Hon. Wn.
WoopBRlDGE, ex Governor and late U. s. SEN
stor, was called to preside. Gov. Woodbridge
thereupon addressed the meeting IN an able and
patriotic speech, from which make the follow
ing extract, as reported for the Express;
Passing by the social relations Of Gen. Cas-. and the
character susans in France let us glance at some ~
the leading traits which have distinguished him a.
politician such he has long been before the public
his character politician and public man j. open q
our inspection and his past history too furnishes the
only index have m the event OF his election OF
Whist his future course may be- Let us look. then at
some parts OF the picture II presents 10 examine
infinitely cannot take the time 70 do.
What then for example have been his views relative
10 the announcement Of Domestic Manufsciures-snd
the Home Industry Of the country Now have known
him an CrOstGi0Hs advocate Tor the Protection oil Home
Manufactures and American lnfustry. Not even MI
Jefferson rho desired that the Atlantic had been sd
Of fire that we might be thus ncriy of from the
work shops and the pauper labor OF Europe, was a
more ultra ProtectiOnist But Democracy Is progress
i've and have since known him participating in al The
anti tariff notions Of the South His "Free Irade
speeches pre- gOus the election OF l-ii not for
gotten and his vote with the aid Of The Teas Senators,
repealed the Tariff Of 1912.
have known him in favor of National Roads and
Lake Harbors He earnestly and ably sustained that
policy In the senate. But his reco demonstration and
especially his full aud unqualified approval Of the whole
of the policy of the Polk Administration, anu OF the
Democratic Platform, imply his entire abandonment
Of the Lake Harbor policy. And his explicit adoption
OF the avOwed principles of the Baltimore tonven
ton az the acknowledged articles Of his pyeso polt
cal faith. seems TO leave him No retreat
Again there IL proposition perhaps IN respect TO
which the People Of Michigan IN opinion more unit
ed than In this that the Extension Of slavery
increase OF Slave Power Is adverse 20 the prosperity
Of the Union and in especial manner, adverse 90
the rights and injurious to the interests Of the non.
slavehoiding States
While as a bOdy. they would De true 20 all the cup
ulsons of the Constitution and faithful to the com
promises involved In IT. they are, and excerpt when
the eiervesceDce OF party iervor may for some short
space of time have overloaded their UNDERSTANDING
siwsys have been decidedly opposed 10 the appica
ton Of those peculiar siipuations 10 newly acquired
States Counties, not originally parties TO those com
promises.
Now suppose to be matter of notorioty here ia De
troit that Ia the beginning Gen Cass was opposed to
the Ration of TeNas-and In like manner opposed
to all farther extension OF OUT National limits IA Tue
Southwest.
But shortly aferwerd he appears the decided adyo-
cate of that fatal measure aud Of the Mexican War
and of stripping that miserable kepubhc oil sll more
OF her territory
Anticipating the probable acquisition OF territory m
that direction. the Michigan Legislature had passed
resolutions nstrucng It's Senators In such an event 20
require in the terms OF the Ordinance OF lf- mat IN
voluntary savery---eXcept for crime comm tied
should be Tor inhibited In 1t and gen Cas- was
an earnest advocate of the Hiimoi Pr0riso But new
light burst upon him. Though the accredited agent OF
the General Government for some eighteen or twenty
years ct his life IN administering and enforcing the
laws OF Congress IN and over the Territory of Michigan
he suddenly discovers that Congress has night 10
leeslste Tor tue Territories SUD therefore though be-
tore tooth aud nail" in favor OF the Wmo, Proviso,
he comes out It's open, undlssuiscd opponent, as
II the right acq territory did not necessarily I'M
ply the righ, to Keep aud 10 take o ITO egslae
Tor and to regulate IT, when acquired Bat the
sophstry of his Nicholson leterereR 4 q could Be sup
posed that Re beirsd ia Il himself falls far short OF
Justification for this change OF opinion Thai goes only
the alleged acompeiency of Congyss 10 regulate the
concerns of it, Territory by ordinary 0f Con-
rsssioaal ieeisdi,oa Now every Frtag by which TER
rtory 10 acquired contains OF necessity prOvsOs gud
conditions for mplerelstivc to the rights
served TO the original aud resident inhabitants, their
rights OF property. of religious freedom. 81. &C The
project OF the Mexican Treaty sent 10 the senate
for its opinion contained many such some were re-
,ected some varied others were edded. Gen Cass
voted for that Treaty amended. by that vote he
srmsd the competency OF this Government to acquire
additional territory by treaty, and TO acquire sAtr
provisos and conditions.
Mr. Senator Baldwin OF Conn. moved farther to
amend IT, by adding another proyisO condition,
provision similar 10 that contained IN the ordinance of
l7e7 in accordance with the Instructions OF the Mchi
san Legislature. And VAg Gid Gen. Cas- vote dsGigsi
that proposed amendment His Nicholson letter fur.
ishes no ground OF apology Tor such vote for the
treaty making power" Is PCHarg-it is deduced from
different in the Constitution. TO which the
reasoning OF the Nicholson letter does not sppy.
Now, the topics have alluded u Of deep impOr-
lance. They involve conditions which intoTtwinei
with all our Institutions and AL interests They
enter into the very texture OF the national happiness
and prosperity and Whist great leading measure OF
national policy can be named in respect TO which Gen.
Cas- l. not 10 DO found both sides of i Aud now
fclow-ciuzens, we be justified in voting Tor
(smsoc though be may be IN private le) Of such nss
hy OF purpose, Of constant and capricous change
IN matters, too OF grave importance Does he hold
his principles OF 80 little account 10 shape them
suit erCy nliul breeze that passes or would he de-
scend still lower from his high estate snd casting his
own good sense, his Judgment ana his own scfre.
spect to the winds OF heaven. submit himself 70 be
made tool Of for the fearful dcspotsm Of party to DO
its will and OdiOus work with
need not comment farther upon theme so pain ful
and so humiatlnc The American people require for
their President who has some csarasss OF view
as have said stestness u character some in
tegrity of political principles and hrmuess and energy
OF purpose, which nothing can shake or disarn The
condition OF the country requires thst the President Of
the United STATES should possess these quShncstions
The times live In require 10 the condition OF the
civilized world requires IL snd these the qus inca
tons which is niiy believed mNS the chsrac
ter Of Zachary Taylor