Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-09-06
From the Washington Union, July II.
Gen. CaSs'S Letter.

DEAR SIR:-l am much obliged 10 you Tor the extracts
you have sent and for calling attention to the re-
marks Il some Of the whig papers letter lom the
editor Of the New York Courier and Enquirer, published IN
that journal sbot tine since aud in which effort Is
made by those papers Of insiuceTity. am
you will bear witness that have been heretofore
pretty patient under similar attacks OF them as re-
maksble for their vuleBee for their sehood-remark-
able 10 this county, where political investigations are
prone degenerate into personal abuse aud had sup
posed the motive had passed with the ocessn that
should be allowed reasonable Of justice by our
opponents, my opinions should be deemed
worthy Of examination But The result shows that have
been deceived and as considerations OF pruptey con-
nected with my position forbid fiOm defending my
consistency ehOOse do in the instance not
only because The charge speeousy Preferred but because
II Is calculated TO place in false position beioTe The
public.
have delayed writing you for days, awaiting The
return Of Col Webb who has gone excursion TO the
Upper Lakes, did wish refer to him thus publicly
without previous conversation with him but he has not
get returned do know when he will and as am
willing TO be subject 10 such imputaohs without applying
the proper corrective have determined to delay th
s~eT 10 longer have Known Col Webb from his boy
hood snd have ceased esteem him. Our personal
relations have always been kind Divided in politics, we
have ceased 10 be fiend and he will be much
prsed SIS was at the dngenuOus efforts to convert his
letter into the proof OF my ineonsistency-an dea am
sure that occurred 10 him. Nothing state in this
letter will be called in question BY Col Webb and may
add that Mr.. Greeeys remarks written in unjust
spiit and though cannot commend his care to ascertain
the TRUTH do not condemn the spirit OF his article What
bis brethren OF The whg press may do believe he is
disposed to do justice.
am accused Of inconsistency, amounting dishonesty,
in my opinions concerning protective tariff internal i'm
pIovemens, and the extension Of slavery The first shall
resolutions contain my sentiments on the subject tariff
And neither 10 Col. Webb to any other have Ut
tered word inconsistent with them voted for the tariff
Of 1916 and though there things should have
been glad 10 otherwise and where there in such
complicated questions yet gave my hearty support
exchanged word with Col Webb the subject OF
protective tariff my life. Nor does he say did. Why
he supposed favored IT, know not IL is enough 10 say he
is in error as are all who form similar conclusion
In the curse Of conversation between Col Webb and
myself referred to the last presidential contest ard to the
papabe injustice which had been done by the wing press
and politicians 10 holding letter to the Chicago Con-
vention evidence of my hostility all improvements
hOWe'er general and necessary by Congress- and to let
Mr. Nicholson evidence of my desire that slavery
should be established 10 the territories ceded by Mexico to
the United States. called these efforts the humgS OF The
day. they wee and must now be 10 have been
by every candid In neither of these letters is there
found syllable favorable to the constructions thus
put upon them. The letter to the Chicago Convention
makes not the most distant suson the question of inter-
mai improvements person may DC 'he greatest iau1-
naIiln, the sTetest constTucton and have written
that letter with perfect consistency simply because all il
does IS to decline being present on that OCCASION The let
Mr. Nicholson and denies the power of Con-
gess to pass the Wimot Povo and endeavoIs to show
that that measure would be nexpedent and
If IL were constitutional. rhis is its There is
it, from beginning end word going show my
opinion that slavery would be established there
wish tina: should be established there All this will
Prise many good men who yet retain the impressions they
received during period Of excitement and which they
gained from the press too often pursuing its object without
regard the higher considerations Of justice. Let him who
doubts what say the subject of these letters to
mOny.
will now ask Mr. Grceley-fOr respect bis cand r
what letter gentleman who invited attend
the Chicago Convection TO do with my opinions upon the
SUBJECT Of internal Improvements asked TO attend
that conventions and that all was asked answered
should not attend aud that all answered And yet
this answer as have stated circulated from end
of the Union the other during the late presidential
test conclusive evidence Of hostility improve
men by the general government be the character of the
object what might supposed the device
ITS purpose aud among the things that have BEEN Lit
anticipate a IN
aud reputation for integrity would revive this exploded
charge and refer that letter as furnishing any in
dex my sentiments this subject any ground
Wet Of inconsistency 10 my acts opinions. did
to the Chicago Convention because did think any
good would result from its labor did not believe dc
nov believe that such bodies, in periods Of political
cItemeDt-peThaps indeed, at any psTiod-eher by the
concentration Of public opinion by the diffusion Of Dfor
nation, can lead TO any useful plan Of action Invited,
he members Of that convention from every portion
the Union the sphere Of operation was far too extensive O
wise and cautious deibeIaon and decision. There
too many interests involved. II general propositions only
to be laid down in such convention the object is
worth the efforts for in the divided state Of the pubi
mind the question: whatever platform might be adopt
ed, TIE opinion Of parties, and generally Of individuals
would remain the same.
general plan Of operations proposed press
cd Congress- the objections papsbe aud Tn
members are under little responsibility and as each seco
Of the country will have its objects attain, tbes
must be attained by concessions to the objects Of Others
the result will furnish evidence of mutual spirit of
mOdatOn rather than cautious regard for the general n
teIest. Such assemblage different thing iron
the attempt concentrate opinion and action in favor Of
where there is community Of information and interest. an
where there weighing Of project against another
any sacrifices TO insure the desired result.
And fully confImed in my previous anticipation
concerning the Chicago Convention. imagine the first
yet be found who will say that any sdvan
tsge has resulted from its labOD
But had yet another for declining TO attend ba
convention did not like its origin. The earliest motto
Of il which connected with the names Of som
weknOwn wings, prominent politicians Of the city Of New
York and believed aud have yet to doub
that great object njue the democratic party
taking advantage Of the excitement which prevailed
tam portions Of the county in consequence of The failure
successive internal improvement bills. Aud hay
understood, though cannot youch for the fact tina
such the actual intention, and that the proceedings
the convention would have assumed party character,
been directed to this object bad not the design been rus
trated by The Grmness Of the democratic members.
Now Mr. Greeley will understand why did not atien
this convention. But canuot understand why he seeks
opinions this question my letter, which wholly en
the subject and not in my speeches and in The Sen
ate Of the United States.
Eminent whig politicians whom could name but that
would be invdous to do invited TO attend the Chi
cage Convention, but neither answered attended.
thought due to the gentleman who invited aeknow
ledge his attention, and did Aud this act of courtesy
which constitutes the only difference between myself an
others, has been made the book whence my opinions
20 be dedUeed and By which my Inconsistency to
proved On the question Of the power Of the United State
the subject Of internal Improvements, my seDDen
accordance with those Of the great democratic part,
and fully expressed in the resolutions Of the Baltmo
Convention Ia the words Of of these resolutions bt
leye that The constitution does confer the gener
government the power commence and carry a gene
system Of internal Improvement and living has III
right ganssy this assertion. But at the time hav
disputed the tight Of Congress improve Of ii
great haTboTs aud rivers and lakes Ut the Uuion national
their character, and important the and
them 10 the defence Of county. While the democrat
party deny the power 10 devise and carry vast syste
Uf 0peTsiions-whOe pecunisfy extent foese
and what IS still worse, whose coTrupng influence,
m The legislature out Of IT, cannot be viewed but wit
the most serious aPPr,hensioothe great majority Of th
party indeed nearly all Of IT, has advocated particular
pI0pTaons justified by the circumstances Of position