Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-02-23

dictates justice have been senced by the robbers instinct
The Senator is mistaken if he supposes he say any
thing of the possible consequences of dsnni which has
not occurred to u.s. We have often manifested OF
The evils would bring and than at the pre-
sent time we do not mean to dssove leave that for
the North. Day after day. and year after yeas, have
abred earnestly prevent them from co,summating
dissolution by destroying the only bond that holds
geher The power OF prevention has passed from
hands The North has obtained majority large that
neither control regulate it. The fate of the country
is in their hands, and 70 them belongs the responsibility for
whatever follows. warn them that bloody pictures will
scarcely frighten US from proptiety We de-
end rights in all contingencies and consequence must
take Of themselves.
is thu constant practice Of those who are seeking OPP
press US both IN congress and elsewhere to descan with
much pahos, upon the Farewell Address Of Washington,
and TO commend to consideration his last advice his
countymcn Sn the memory of that great should be
like the tabled tree the Islands Of the East within whose
shadow unciean thing will harbor. His should be
forbidden word when any thing mean or base or selfish
is to be accomplished Least Of all should il be quoted
TO sanction medatcd tyranny. He won an Immortality
of cnown by resistance to oppression. His glory had its
birth in ynpaby for the wronged, and owed all its bright
TO rebellion. If he living now his whole history
leaves doubt which side of this great contro
versy he would be found.
shall take another occasion discuss the other PROPOSE
tions submitted by the Senator from Kentucky.
Mr.. CASS Mr. President, desire say few words in
consequences Of remarks which have fallen the
orabe Senator from Alabama, (Mr CLEMENS D to
speak Of myself II is rather disageeabe topic for any
said here and elsewhere. going to vndicate the
correctness of my opinions all leave that time and
truth only intend to vindicate my consistency. That
undertake to dohat will do to the satisfaction of every
candid do not understand exactly the auson of the
honorable Senator from Alabama.
Mr.. CLEMENS inserposing. have not said any thing
about the Senator consistency.
Mr.. CASS have not intended to intimate that the hon
orabc Senator did so In these remarks did not refer to
him. Twas upon the point however, of doing relation
to another topic alluded not to what has just been said
here but what had been said elsewhere. was about
say, however, when this interpoon took place. that did
not clearly understand what the Senator meant when he
said that in my speech to which he referred dealt only in
general principles, certainly ntimang, not saying that
avoided close connexon with the subject ard with its
consequences.
The honorable Senator is in error, total error,
had two objects in view in that speech, distinctly
announced at the commencement and distinctly carried out
through the whole of it. One to show that the Viii
mot provso unconstitutional; and the other that, if
sutional it nexpedien All the principles general
particular that dealt in, had reference these two concu
sons, logically and legmately could apply them
whether successfully not ii does not become deter
mine. dealt in general principles, ndeedand who does
not the discussion Of such great and vital question but
my aid such other and illustrations
thought would forty the position had taken certainly
not deferred from avowing my conclusions the process by
which they reached.
II intmated by the Senator from Mississippi (Mr.
DAVIS, and by than gentleman, believe, in the
other wing Of the capitol that had been consistent
my The feelings Of respect and kindness which
entertain for that Senator are sure, guaranty him
that do not aude to this subject in any spirit of complaint
My course worthy of notice. is open public examina-
on and trust will bear it. The charge is sir that in my
Nicholson letter laid down principles from which departed
in my late speech upon the Wmot proviso The alusion,
understand it, particularly the proposition that
the people of the Territories, well of the Sates have
right to manage their internal in their way
and that the condition of slavery be regulated by them
well any other relation of o In that letter. sir which
TO have become historical far beyond its mportance
laid down feur principles, which then deemed be
rect and whose truth time and experience have but the
strongly confirmed Till change my convictions shall
neither seek to conceal savow them If any has
misunderstood me before, conceive the fault his
If any misunderstand hereafter, the fault shall be
mne believe the Wilmo proviso to be unconstitutional
But before proceed to full consideration of this branch Of
the subject beg leave to trouble the Senate with brief
view of position, and Of the connected with
it. have desired opportunity Of doing for time
this has been made matter Of repoachas indeed, what
is not, in times like these ,
When the Wmot provso frs, proposed, have
concealed denied that had it been pushed vote
should have voted for it. There need for any Senator
resort to and retail in railroad prove this
had never examined the constitutional power of Congress-
and when the subject proposed tdd excite that
position from the South which have since Witnessed
lead rejecting to doubt whether such provision could be
enforced withou danger to the Union Southern men, he
eve had previously voted for similar measure and it had
not become grave sectional question: involving the most fear
fu consequences AT subsequent session. convinced Of its
bearing, spoke and voted against it STILL however, without
required examine the subject narrowly The pub
lie mind in the South became highly excited and the ndca
tons full Of danger and difficulty felt then, do
that the Union the great object Of every American
ard that there few sacrifices which ought not to be made
to preserve it. prepared to 60 far any ought
TO go attain that object. In examining The constitution
with reference to the whole matter narrowly than had
done BEFORE was startled by the conviction that
hoy granted in that instrument to Congress legae
the Territories and that, consequently there
power pass the Wmot proviso Not satisfied with my
impressions and being unwilling take such ground with
out proper consideration determined Immediately con-
with person fully with the history of
the legislation and the judicial decisions the subject.
looking about for that purpose, Immediately occurred TO
that eminent Judge of the Supreme Court Jndge Mclean
of Ohio from his position and associations well from his
residence in the West could give better information upon
this subject than any other person. Anticipating that
discussion might arise that would render this e1pana
on proper applied to that gentleman days since, and
requested his permission thus publicly 10 refer to him. should
deem it necessary. This he cheeruly granted and now
make of his with bis consent Immediately
repaired him. and stated my doubts well the circum
stances which gave rise to tem need not repeat the
versaon here 1t is enough to say that he confirmed my
Impressions and informed that in article published in
the National gencer day previously, and which
had not seen, should find his views fully set forth That
article has since been epubshed in other papers, and has
attracted good deal Of attention. deserved for ii is pow
eru'y written. speak, sir solely Of the views which it pre-
Of the power Of Congress egate for the Territories
After reading this article my doubts rpened into convcons
aud took the ground 10 which shall always ahere that the
Wn,ot provi is unconstitutional And you have now, sir
the history of my upon this subject.
As have said laid down four principles, opinions, If
you please, in my Nicholson letter. The first that the Will