Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-06-29
Mr. CaSS' Letter.

below the celebrated letter of Lewis Glass; epudiatng
the Wilmot Proviso, and virtually pledging himself to
veto that ordinance of freedom, should congress
dertake to enact it into law. We omit some parts of
it, which relate to other subjects, and are no way
necessary to a right understanding of his POSITION.
We ask all Democrats who have taken their position
on the Wilmot Provso as thousands III Vermont have,
how they can, without reachery to their solemn pedg
es support for President man who Islands pledged
to the slave power to use his official influence, if
elected to abolish freedom in territories now free?
Washington, Dec. "a, 1847.
DEAR SIR Il have received your letter, and
shall answer it as frankly as it is written,
You ask me whether I am in favor ofthe ac-
QUESTION of Mexican territory, and what are my
sentiments in regard to the Wilmot Proviso. n
The Wilmot Provso has been before the coun-
try some time. 1t has been repeatedly discussed
in Congress. and by the public press lam strong
Iy impressed NTH the opinion that CHANGE
su6ject-in MY OWN as nell as Others; and
that doubts are revolving themselves into con-
viction, that THE PRINCIPLE TT IN
VOL YES SHOULD BE KEPT OUT OF
TIL LEGISLA TURE, and left to the people
|
ernments
Briefly then, 1 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
general principles of the constitution. Because
l. I do not see IN the constitution ana grant
the requisite pO,0er to congress; and | am not
n
its necessty--the establishment of territorial gov
ernments when needed-leaving to the inhab-
iants all the rights compatible with the relations
they bear to the confederation.
2. Because believe this measure, if adopted,
would weaken, ifnot impair, the union of the
States; and would SOW the seeds of future dis
cord, which would grow up and ripen into an
abundant harvest of calamity
3. Because bcHeUe general conviction, that
such proposition wOuH succeed, aOouh lead to an
immediate withholding Of the supplies, and thus
to diShOnOrable termination of the Oar. | think
no dispassonate observer at the seat of govern
ment can doubt this result
4. If, however, in this I am, under msappre-
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 treaty would be re-
jected just certainly as presentedto the Senate
More than one-third of that body would vote
against it, viewing such principle as an erclu-
sion Of the citizens Of SlaUe-holding States from
a participation IN the benefits acquired by the
treasure and erertiOns Of all, and which should
be common to aU
In this aspect ofthe matter, the people Of the
United States must choose between this restriction
and the extension of their territorial limits They
, cannot have both and which they will surrender
must depend upon their representatives first, and
/ then, if these fail them, upon themselves
But there is another important consideration,
which ought not to be lost sight of, in the in
vestigaton of this subject The question that
presents sefis not a question of the increase,
but of the diffusion Of slaOery Whether its
sphere be stationary or progressive, ITS AMOUNT
i WILL BE THE SAME. The rejection of this re-
striction will not add one tothe class Of servitude
nor will its adoption give freedom to a single
' 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 necessares of life, is an evil so far will
: that evil be mtigated by transporting slaves to
e a new country, and giving them larger space
to occupy.
>
The Wmot proviso seeks to take from its
legitimate tribunal question of domestic policy
+ having no relation to the Union, as such, and to
= transfer it to another created by the people for
: special purpose, and foreign to the subject mat
ter involved in thisissue. By going back to our
+ true principles, we go back to the road ofpeace
! and safety. Leave to the people, who will be
= affected by this question, to adjust it upon their
+ own responsibility, and in their own manner, and
3 we shall render another tribute to the principles
t, of our government md furnish another guaranty
l. for its permanence and prosperity.
= am, dear sir, respectfully,
5. Your obedient servant,
'r LEWIS CASS
d n D Nu,uoI CON- Eeo Noeb,;IIo H.