Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-07-22

Congress has power eglslale touching the Territories
the common property Of all the people OF all tho ates in
such manner as te exclude citizens Of fifteen States Of the
Upon-the aaveholding States-rom emgraing TO these
Territories with their slave property The South il s be-
eved Is unanimous In the denial Of the power Of Con-
gress but approximate unanmy in the assertion that such
legsaon against the will and without the assent Of the
South would be Aagranty unjust eminenty inexpeden
for say they territory acquired by sacrifice Of blood
and treasure and held the property OF all should not be
30 governed exclude the citizens Of oneha the States
Of the Unon unless they sacrifice their property IN their
slaves
THIS then, is the real issue. No sfms the PROPOSE
ton that Congress interfere in any way with slavery in
those States where 1t exists do any dispute the
power sovereign State introduce and establish slavery
within her limits be her sovereign will and pleasure to do
The real question is therefore confined to the Territories
The question ecus what Gen. Casss views this sub
ec As far have been able to trace the history OF his
opinions find that two years ago ne was openly avow
edy and zeaousy Wimot Proyiso His declarations
were strong and in this chamber not in speeches.
but in conversations publicly held with gentlemen of all shades
Of party politics. The declarations Of the Senator from New
Jersey (r. MILLKR) made this day, full and concu
svs to that point They are but the repetition q
in this chamber and in public debate, emphatcay invoking
his attention, and meeting neither denial explanation apo
logy That they accurately stated strongly confirmed
by the admission Of General Cas in his Nicholson letter.
that be was songy impressed with the opinion that great
change bad been going on in the public mind upon this sub
ject, in his well as others"
The next historical trace that find is Gen. Casss vote
upon the three million bill in the winter of lS47 he voted
against the proviso and find that his bographer in "a
sketch of his life and public services printed in June, s4s
treats the subject leave room for ar inference that
he voted against it. because he opposed TO the prn
cpe, but because it out Of place in that BILL The b-
ographer says
"The Wilmot provso introduced into the Senate
amendment the hre. million bill by Federal Senator from
New England The design of the evidently TO de-
feat the bill to which to be attached and to embarrass
the administration in the prosecution OF the war General
Cass voted against the poviso for given in his speech
the occasion"
have not found any published speech that occasion
He, however, had evidently somewhat cooled down his fiery
ZEAL if he had not to extent modified his earlier OPT
nion The and final of Gen. Casss views to be
found in the " Nicholson letter, and what is that
ls That Congress touch the subject Of slavery in
the States Messrs. Gddings, Hale and all agree with him
in that
I'd. In respect to the Territories he says
Briefly them opposed the exercise OF jurisdiction
by Congress this matter and in favor Of leaving TO
the people any Territory which may hereafter acquired
the right regulate il for themselves under
cples Of the because do not see in the oonstu
tion any grant Of the requisite power to Congress-"
Upon hasy careless reading of the foregoing, General
Cass would stand side by side with Southern and
to have adopted the prevailing opinion of the South Butt
is 1t is manifest evasion and why Because, un-
der system and unvaing practice territorial council or
legislature be created only by act of Congress in the form
of organic law The territorial government do nothing
unless by the assent Of Congress previously subsequently
given Yet Gen. Cass " in favor of leaving to the people
of any territory this great question He cannot leave to
act unless first upon authority given by Congress- and that
Of Congress be approved by the President Can
Gen. Cass President approve such All act OF Congress
Not at all; and why Because he declares
He opposed the exercise Of jurisdiction by Congress
the matter that de does the constitution any
grant of the requisite power to Congress-
Or secondly, the people Of the Territory act unless
with the subsequent approval of Congress.
Take New Mexico Their territorial government abolishes
and prohibits slavery, the Congress of the United States
cur and the act goes the President What would Gen.
Cass do in such case Suppose the opposite New Mex
recognises and establishes slavery Congress concur and
the goes the President What in this would Gen.
Cass do In both, either he the acts with his
veto and why Because in his opinion, Congress has
jurisdiction the NATTER and of course he approve
act having warrant in the constitution What them
the consequence Of these opinions Of Gen. Cass tits
that every Of people Of Territory, whether armatvey
negatively the subject Of slavery must be annued by
the Presidents veo What beautiful confusion will
of this mastery statesmanshp. Sir, gentleman be
hard pushed when driven to such the responsibility
must his mind be fearful, when he shuns question Of
such magnitude by throwing upon the people of New Mex
(and such people y the denve settlement Of these
quesons-hey having power settle them-questions
that said almost to shake the pillars Of this glorious Union
But suppose the people of New Mexico had the power to
settle these questions, with what admiration must
template the profound wisdom and consummae craftsmanship
of General Cass in devovng upon such people the adjust
men of these great stirring and sgtang questions WHO
and what the people Of New Mexico The entire popu-
laon either black mixedhe black with Indian or the
all Mericoin morals scarcely above the brutes in ntei
gence depressed nearly the lowest point
In the whole Of New Mexcoo including Santa Fe-
have been informed by the Senator from Missouri (Mr BEy
roxy that but single white resident the opening
Of the need not say this Senate that the Senator
from Missouri Is perhaps the very best informed in this
body all matters concerning New Mexico and California
And TO these people and this population General Cass
would leave the adjustment of these difficult Matters thst
to endure, not only for this generation but in ali future
Is because they better judges in these than those
who occupy these halls Of Congress- the people Of this
Unioni Or s because is the only device BY which
gentleman rather hard pressed by dangerous question
escape responsibility II s bunglng device it de-
ceves The very boys in the would laugh
10 scorn.
Mr.. HANNEGAN. Do understand the honorable sena-
tor say that Mr. Cass, elected President take no
other in accordance with the principles contained his
letter. than TO veto the Wmo provso il should be adopted
by Congress
Mr. MANGUM He can take no other course IL he follow
the principles laid down in his letter. and moreover veto
every thing done by Congress the Territories either in IA
Of or against slavery.
Mr.. HANNEGAN. Docs the Senator from North Caro-
lima urge that objection
Mr. MANGUM That is another question. We have been
taunted with supporting candidate who has opinions
the subject at least without knowing what his opinions
meet that tsun by showing that Cen Cass stands ex
acy nowhere upon the subject and although our Southern
friends aterng themselves with the idea that we are TO
get President who hostile the South they are in
committed himself all upon this question But General
(w---.s- 4 -~s.-r l.