The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-05

iit ihdiah appropriation Dill was under con-
sideratlon. An adjournment took place pend
ing the question ON the third reading of the bill
The Democratic Party and the Slavery
Question.
la the course of some remarks made in the
House OF Representatives, on Monday last, on
the all-absorbing question of the day, by Mr..
SrDDos, Democratic member from Virginia,
he said:
"wehavo already had, MIR Chairman, sad expert
ence Of the mischief arising from the of ambig
uous phrases, and the adoption of platforms of
doubtful construction. | believe the present anti
slavery agitation owes much of its extent and in
tensity to the mistaken policy of adopting deusive
phrases and positions, susceptible of double con-
struction with the vain purpose Of uniting in party
action the opposing sections Of the Union.
''ln the last Presidential canvass, instead Of hav-
ing lair, just conception Of the views of the two
sections, each was deceived by such delusive con-
strucilons and ambiguous phrases into the belief
that they were acting on common principles, when
the most radical difference in purpose and views in
fact prevailed. Such was certainly the case, to a
considerable extent with the Democratic party"
Mr.. Seldom tells the truth That the
masses of the Democratic party in the slave
holding States were shamelully duped in the
last Presidential canvass, by the use, on the part
Of their leaders, of " ambiguous phrases" and
+" platforms of doubtful constructions" and that
these leaders, To subserve mere party purposes,
were guilty of monstrous Juggling and ter
giyersatior' in regard to the slavery question,
can now no longer be concealed or denied
Prior TO the commencement Of the canvass
and TO the selection Of candidate by either
party, II was well understood that the candidate
Of the Democratic party would be taken from
some one of the non-slaveholding States. OF
the distinguished gentlemen Of that party re-
siding in non-slaveholdng States, upon whom
the choice might fall. General CAss was.
from the moment the subject began TO be
agitatod perhaps the most prominent. Upon
the views, however. entertained by him in
reference TO the slavery question, might de-
pend his nomination. and, If nominated. his
election. u was known that at the first ses-
sion Of the 2lth Congress, when the Two Mil
lion bill came mp for consideration in the SEN
ate, on the 10Th u August 1916. the last day
of the session. Nth he Uii,nof proriso ia Il, he
was ready and anxious 10 vote for it, and re-
GREETED very much that Mr.. DAVIS, Of Massa-
chusetts; had, by his speech, prevented the vote
from being taken. and thereby deprived him,
General Cas-. Of an opportunity of recording
his vote in favor Of the proyiso.
twas also known. that at the next succeeding
session Of Congress, March J., lsl7.) the Three
HON a.. a.
had opposed the Incorporation into it Of the
Wilmot proviso. il was not on the ground Of
rs unconstIiuiionality. or on account Of any
change Of opinion since the preceding session.
when he was ~ anxious 10 vote for il. bat be
cause. as be alleged. that was not the occasion
nor The. ball IN which 10 apply the proviso-ihai
q would BE- u no use 10 attach u 10 that bill,
bat that the question should be- reserved until
Ne acquired the territory.
such having bcon the publicly expressed
opinions q General As on the subject 81 the
Proviso. down 10 March. lsl5. IL occprrcd in the
fsll Il the same year. 10 a strc'rd politician, a
friend u he. and = resident 81 a slave holding
State. 10 write ham a lcticr. rcgucsiisg h. know
hi- sentiments With regard 0. the Nimoi pro
yiso'"
The result u ihis applicaiion wa The .NieL.
oisoH lCiier. vhich. Ne may sai,.ly assume. vas
PREPARED with The utmo-i care and dclit,ra
tion. and not withsui consultation With both
Southern and Northern friends Indeod. Gen
eHal Case himself IN ihs cuufse ~ s1rns remarks
whrh b. had occasion D. make IN the S,na,e.
on ,hc Nih q February lssi. on the suhiocl Il
the true intent and moaning 4 a psriiaa Il
The Nichol-.n better. ssid b. mirhi "ssf,ly ap-
pal - many Sguthern gentlcHer Who were
e here " heu that lctief was xniieu. and .nc
who arr here noS b. ssy wbcihcr thsy Do nui
k''or. that she moaniug b. was theu--whilz
spoaking Insisting on. 49, his mesuiag a. the
time the lsiisr vss Wrfien Sons q them. ~
sad. vero ihen 10 hi- eye whsrrupao. NJ.
BuuEE. ~ Sluth Csralina. sud Nc Dtts.
II Mississippi and otl,cr.. signiGsd iisir s-.snt
Prom al which b b fuiy b. h. iulsucd.
thai ils Nicl,ol-,,n better 49, ~ only subnutt
ted 10 N, inspeciion - .'m,ssy ssutbern geo
ilcmen' q ~, Dsmsrrsisc gsrty vha vers
here Al Che time. bui thsi the lneauinr 4 ne
author. 80 The several Js,-is,ons assumed hy hiu
IN u. Wa clearly uadersie.d by tho-s gouils-
men.
Thcso posiiions. a. ~ STATED ~ General & a..
himself. on the occazion ~ he remarks D. uhirh
We have been referring. wen
l. That ihe wilnoi proyiso Wa uaconsii.
tutional"
2 That slavery, having l-sn alrlished By
the Mexican government. DID MT east IN the
Territory then held by our arms
2. That slavery would MT r. here. a. eel |
on accpuai q nstural and geographical obstacles
as on account q the Feelings u the people Who
were and might b. there"
4. That oFVanized communities exercising
the powers Of government, whether State Of