Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-07-20
+, ON the Washington Onion

CHARLES r FoasEE, Sccty.
Fom the Washington Onion.
GENERAL CASS.
We publish with great pleasure the frank and
impressive letter which we have received FRI m
this distinguished statesman. He refutes, under
his own sign manual, the misrepresentation
which have been recently wantonly thrown into
circulation. His exposition Of the Wilmot Pro.
yiso is worthy Of the author Of The Nicholson
letter. He remains true to the non Intervention
principle which he originally assumed. There
is not the sign Of change or variaolcncss IN h'm
He deuies The constitutional power oil Congress
to regulate such subject in the territories
Not such, however, VIC regret to say, IS the
course of another Of tho Western Senator'S
Though Colonel Benton, heretofore one OF The
most trusted Of the Southern Democratic leaders,
has recently failed in supporting this ground
though he has abandoned one ct the main prin-
ciples Of the Baltimore Convention, and has be-
come, TO The surprise and regret OF many oil ms
former friends, decided advocate Of the prncl.
ple Of the Wilmot Proviso; yet does the veteran
Cass remain firm and rcsoluLe in the support OF
the non .iRterventon ground which wc have sup
ported; and we have no toub! that ne will re-
main so until the contest shall close, aud The
true principles Of The constitution be established
General Cas-, too, puts al once TO rest Inc
allegation that he was in favor of Protective
Tariff On that great subject he re ADOPTS Inc
platform If the Baltimore Convention, and he
also voted for tho Tariff bill OF 1876. General
Cas- again recognises the great principle OF the
Baltimore Convention, that 'thc Constitution
doss mol confer upon Tie General Government
the power 10 commerce and calry on general
system o! Internal improvements and The same
platform comments the exercise OF the vcto
power, wich hes saved iho american people
from tho corrupt and tyrannicai domination Of
tho Bank OF the United Staes, and from q COR
RIPPING SYSTEM OF GENERAL IsTEREiL Iii
rRovIMGNr, We shall not take up this
great subject at present, as we had already do
termincd 10 discuss lis bearings in due lime :
Wo reserve 10 ourselves the opportunity and The
proper season Of entering upon It before The
meeting OF Congress. Al all events, while We
hold to our opinions with mistaken decision, II
is admitted that other Democrats consider It TO
be doubtful power; and with George Clinton,
when he gave his casting vote against rccharle--
ing The Bank Of the Uni cd States, we consider
il in every respect the safest aIi ;ac Wiscst
course, where power like this is doubtful TO
ask fer an e1lens on Of the powers Of Tie Fede-
ral Government FROM the parties TO The CON-
pact, according 20 the forms prescribed by the
Constitution itself. This COURSE was recon-
mended even by those Presidents who con-
sidcred it as uuqueslionable that no such power
had been already given. Witness MIR. Jefcr
sons opinions, IS repeatedly expressed. Wit
ness Mr.. Madison's recommendation n inc &C
LIBERATED veto which he cent tc congress on the
veSy eye OF laying down his power. Witness
the suggestion Of Mr.. Polk in his famous veto
messages. Bat we do not mean TO discuss The
subject at present, and hasten to lay General
Casss admirable letter before our readers:
Gs.aorr, July 10, ls49.
Dear Sir: am much obliged 10 you Tor The
extracts you have sent me, and Tor calling my
attention 10 The remarks of some oil the whis pa
pers upon letter from the editor OF The New
York Courier and Enquirer, pnb.i:hed in that
journal a short iiG:c since, and in which an CT
lorl Is made by those papers 10 ccuvict me 81 in
sincerity. am sure you will bear me witness
that have been heretofore pretty patient under
similar attacks, some c! thea as remarkable Tor
heir violence as Tor their aisehood-remarka.
bic even ia This country, where p1ltical invssil-
cations arc so prone 10 degenerate Into personal
abuse; ard had supposed, as the motive had
passed away with the OCCASION thai | should DC
allowed reasonable measure OF justice BY our
opponents, even if my opinions or course should
be deemed worthy OF examination. But HE re-
sull shows that have been deceived; and as no
considerations d p.op.:ey connected win my
position nov forbid me from defending my con-
sis!ency, choose 10 SO in the present instance,
moi only because the charge is specously preicrr-
ed but because it is calculated 10 place me "a
false position before The pAbli,..
have delayed vrung you Tor some days,
awaiting The return OF Col. Webb, who has gone
on ar szca:son . hs Upper Lakes, as kdid mol
aish 10 refer to him thus publicly, without pres
vous conversation with hin; but he has mol yel
returned mr. do know when he Will; ana as
am unwilling 10 be subject 10 such impulaliuns,
without applying The proper CORRECTIVE, nave
determined 10 delay This answer no longer.
have known Col. Webb tom his boyhoud, and
have never ceased 10 esteem him. Cur fsEsonai
relations haze aWly5 ccen sind. Livicea 10
politics. we have not ceasei t. BE- friends; aud ne
will be as much surprised as was al Inc cisin-
eeuuous efforts 10 convert his letter into The proof
Of nv inconsis.ency-an idea, am sure that ne
yer occurred 10 him. Nothing stale IN this lei.
Ter will be called in question by Col. Webb; ana
| NAV add, that Mr. Greeleys remarks are wTll-
ten 10 no unjust spirit; and though cannot COM
mend his care 10 ascertain The truth, do not con-
denim The spri, OF his article. Whatever hI1
b,e.hren OF The Wing press may DO belleve ne
is diseased la do me lnslice.
Lam accused OF inconsistency, aWouh"uS "
dishonesty, 10 my opinions concerning proiec-
liv, tariff, Internal improvements, and The e1en.
sion oil slavery The first ! shall dismiss very
briefly, bui very explicitly. The Bal imofe reso-
lu,jous contain my sentiments on The subjec oi
iarifI-aod neither 10 Col. Webb nor 10 any o'heE
man have uttered word ,scoasi-lsat with
them. yoed :sr Ike tariff Of ls46; and though
there we're some Things should have been glad TO
see Otherwise, (and where are there moi, in such
complicated questions y yel gave il my htaf
support never exchanged word with Col.
Webb m The >atjec, OF pro'eclise tariff IN my
lila. Nor does lie say dill. Why ne supposed
| favored it, know not. Ii is enough 10 say re
is 10 error, as are all who form s;mi.ar concta-
SIGN.
IT. he course oi conversation between Colonel
Web and myself, referred 10 he last presaen.
lial contest, and 70 the palpable injustice Wh'cn
had been done me b. The Wing press and foiiii-
clans 10 holding up nv Letter &c lac Oaicaso Csa
venlion as an ey;ieaat OF my hostility 10 all I'M
movements boaeve, general aud necessary, of
Congress, and 10 my letter 10 MI Nichoisoa as
evidence OF my desire that s!a7sry Should DC es
tablishcd in he territories cede!by MEXICO 10 lhe
Hailed Siales call these efforts The ham5ug'
n IN. day, as they were. and mus! now De con
fessed 10 have bsen BY every candid man. 10
| - - ,hoea Ieiters il there IN be found one