The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-23
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
SATURDAY MORNING, SEPT. %, Is4s.
General Cas-. aud tho w,lmo, psov..o
Statement of Senator Miller

knows when but certainly in the absence OF Gen Cas-
has been published in the southern wing papers, to prove
that his views OF the constitutional rights of the south
OF recent origin, and not the result of fixed principles
That readers may understand the full extent OF this
fraud and Misrepresentation, copy the extract from
the Charleston News:
Extract from Senator Milers speech
At the next session of Congress- March 1870 the
three million bill before the Senate, but without the
Wilmot Proviso in it, The from Vermont Mr. Up
haml moved to amend the bill by inserting the proviso
when Mr. Cass rose and, in speech of length op
posed the amendment. This speech is reported and re-
fer senators TO it, Recoecting what had taken place
previous session, rose and expressed my asonsh
ment nj the course OF the senator from Michigan, d.
ecy at variance with his sentiments declared the last
session. when the before the Senate. /
also stated what had taken place that OCCASION and
peated what understood Gen Cas- have said in the
Senate have before stated and then called upon him
give the Senate and to the country his for this
Sudden change in his opinions upon subject of much
importance.
Gen. Cas- in reply TO me, commenced by saying that
he surprised at the extraordinary OF the
from New Jersey in calling him for his opin
ons but said he was prepared for it, and then took from
the drawer of his desk manuscript speech, memoranda
which he read the Senate. He did deny the state
made by but said, in substance, thar he had not
changed his opinions expressed the before po the
subject of the Provso but tina, that occasion
the bill in which apply the Provso That object
dent conclude treaty of peace with Mexico That he
did not wish TO do anything which might delay peace.
That it would be Of attach the Povso this BILL
but that the question should be reserved until acquired
the ~rritory. IL was question Of time with him That
this the time the occasion He also spoke the
resolutions of instructions from Michgzn which he had
presented during the session. and which had referred
him, and said tina, he had examined ,hem together with
resolutions from other non-saveholdng Sa,es tbs,
all these resolutions looked permanent provision
fundamental law he did think they were Intended
apply the bin then under consideration. This was
the position Of Gen. Cas- in March, 1871 At that he
still in favor of the Wino Provso, bat doubling a
to the time when and the and character of the law
by which il should be enforced. He continued rnnin-
tain this position the public informed until
December last when became necessary for
ddates for the presidency declare their views on the
subject Of the Wimot Proviso"
proposition has been made to address General Cas-
and ascertain what his views upon this subject and
whether the statements OF Mr. Miller are true Such
letters have no doubt been communicated him and as
it may not be generally understood tina, he does no,
write political letters for publication. or even private
to influence his election, his neglect to respond may
be regarded Judgment BIZ defaur' agains, him.
To prevent any further misrepresentation upon the sub
ect, We state what know and in doing so we wish
il to be distinctly understood that we make the statement
not only upon own responsibility and understanding
authority of General Cass himself His speech on the
three million bill, and his letter to Nicholson set forth
plain the English language can, his views upon this
subect and we venture to say that private letter.
conversation, sdebar speech remark can be found
correctly reported to conflict in the least with these
opinions There is necessity therefore, that he should
write speak further on the subject
When the Wilmot Proviso was proposed in 1916, Gen.
Cass opposed to it, and expressed his opinions
freely and publicy-no indeed, the ground of it's un-
constutonaty, for that point had not then been made
but because he considered nexpedent and injurious It,
however passed the House of Representatives. annexed
TO the twomillon appropriation and on consultation
with the democratic senators from the free States it was
determined by every of them, with possibly one or
two exceptions, to vote for the appropriation with the
provso rather than lose the measure, which the admin
straton earnestly called for At that time there had
been no discussion in the House. Ii was introducing
abstract question, without any practical bearing into
important appropriation BILL placing the disposal of
the President the negotiate treaty of peace with
foreign enemy. AT the next session of Congress the
subject assumed different aspect Gen Cass became
satisfied that pass such proviso would be hazardous
1t would ,endanger the appropriations and ALLEVIATE the
feelings OF the South, who zeaousy sustaining the
administration and supporting the war. He openly and
publicly avowed what would his course and declared
his determination to vote against it in any shape In his
Speech he did not enter into the constitutional question
His reasons then well known to his friends Some
of the northern and western senators, who then
prepared to say they regarded it unconstitutional,
would not trammel important appropriation bill in
time of with what all regarded abstraction
he by placing opposition to it other consd
erations Of strength His speech was published at
the time, and think, fully approved at the South In
that speech there is not syllable which be tor
tured into construction that he would under any circ-
stances vote for the But the main subject
aissue: When Gen Cass had spoken, Mr. Miller of New
Jersey asked him if he would not have voted for at the
preceding session. He answered that he should Mr.
Miller then asked the why he had changed his
course AT this moment, Gen Cass had just concluded
his speech. 1t written out, ready for publication
and during its delivery before him upon his desk
AT the conclusion, it had been placed in the drawer II
was late in the evening the Senate inpatient; and
when his for change asked, he took from
his drawer his speech, and read the following extract.
9th. The progress of public opinion upon the question
Of the adoption OF this provso the
country have become more and difficult seems to me
to indicate very clearly that, since its ntrodu the
past session OF Congress- the conviction has been gaining
ground, that the present is time for the agitation OF this
subject, and the foreign becomes mere embarra.s
ing. in greater degree than many anticipated is best
avoid domestic dispute, which would bitter ques
tons AT home, and add confidence the for resist
.l.w.~.