Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-30
GEN. CASS.

GEN. CASS.
The Enquirer, we see, makes the following
commentary upon Gen. Cass's late speech:
"We take great pleasurein laying before our readers
the noble conclusion Of the great speech of this dstn
guished patriot in the United States Senate The first
days speech occupied nearly eleven columns in the
Union, and the next days conclusion nearly nine CO.
lumns-maklng in all nearly toenty columns. We can
not imagine statesman to occupy lofty and
imposing attitude than that Of General Cass thus
6reastlng the wave Of tanatcsm and standing by the
Constitution with darkness and gloom around. We
cannot bat regret, howerer that, understand the
speech it giUeS to the people Of the territories their
state Of pqRiage. the RO,oer to legslae and abolish
Slavery, His great Nicholson letter regarded as
expressly arguing against such power"
Noble" "great," "lofty,' and Imposing
these are high terms of praise, and are certainly
not a little extraordinary when uttered in close
connection with an acknowledgment, which
should forever seal the lips of every Virginia De-
mocrat as to the patriotism and statesma ship of
Gen Cass. The Enquirer fully admits that he
comedies ito the people of the territories in their
state of pupage, the power to legislate on and
abolish slavery" Now let US recall the doctrine
and pledge of the Democracy Of Virginia on this
point, in the canvass of 1848 The following re-
solutions were adopted by the Democratic State
Convention of Virginia, on Tuesday, February
29th l849:
9TH. That as Republicans and citizens of one of the
free and equal States Of this Union, do most earn
estly protest against the Winthrop and Wimot Provi-
soes wanton violations OF the constitution and will
tul assaults the rights and interests Of one portion of
our Contederacy, and do most soemnly declare that
there rs no pouer either In Congress- TERRITORIAL
LEGISLATURE, Dhach is ats creature, nor any where
else, only in the people Of territory in the adop
tson Of State Constitution preDaraory to admission
INTO the Onon oprevent the migration of any citizen
Statp L.
any thing else, to any domain which may be acquired by
the common blood and treasure of the people of all the
States.
9Th. That this Convention heartily responds to the
noble Resolutions Of the alabama State Democratic
Convention, and 1clL, UNDER NO POLITICAL NECESSITY
WHATEVER support either for the Presidencyor Vice
Presidency, person Dho shall not be the FIRM AND
AvowED OPPONENT OF ANY PLAN OR DOCTRINE, WHICH IN
ANY WAY antereres aoth the right of citizens Of any
one State to possess and enjoy all their property any
territory ,ohch may be acquired By the Gnion fully
completely and securely citizens OF any other State
shall enjoy theirs, except far that, being unwilling
10 disturb the Missouri compromise we are content with
adherence to its principles"
In the celebrated Nicholson letter, written in
December. l847, Gen. Cass had said
at the legislation of Congress should be limited 10
The creation OF proper governments for countries
acquired settled and to the necessary propision for
their Eventual admission into the UoiouIeoyoo u,
the ntne the people inhabiting them tn reguhqte
their internal concerns in their olon acay. They ARE
JUST AS CAPABLE OF DOING THE PEOPLE OF THE
theE political independence is recognized by admission
into the Union. During this temporary condition. it is
hardy erpedent TO call into exercise doubtful and
aDidiOus authority lohch questions the ineisence of
respectable portion of citizens and whose mi-
taton whatever it may be- will be rapidly approaching
ats ternlnaon--an authority which would give to Con-
gress despite p0oer, uncontrolled by the constitution
over most important sections of common country
lam IN toror Of tearing to PEOPLE OF ANY TER
RlroRY, WHICH MAY BE HEREAFTER ACQUIRED, THE RIGHT
TO REGULATE IT [sLavERY THEMSELVES, under tie
general prlnclpteS of The Constitution"
1t will be well remembered that the Wings of
our State put these expressions and others of the
same letter, in contrast with the pledge underta-
ken in the resolutions above quoted, and called
upon the Democracy to show how they could be
reconciled. The reply given was that General
Cass meant to say, that the people of the Terrific
ries had the right to exclude slavery only at the
particular moment when they were in convention
TO form Stale constitution. There was not one
word in the letter which, by any rational interpre-
taton, could be considered as conntenancne this
construction; yet, upon the strength of it, the
pledge was nominally adhered to, and General
Cass sustained. He was directly questioned, just
before his nomination, by a gentleman from Flori-
da, as to the meaning of what he had written nthe
Nicholson letter, concerning the rights of the peo-
pie of the Territories but he declined to give any
explanation
Now that the election is over, he tardy comes
forward to expound himself, and by the admission
OF the Enquirer, he shows that his principles come
directly within the pledge OF the Richmond De-
mocrauc Convention Nevertheless the Enquirer
still applauds him for his noble and lotlv sent-
menisl
II he
Cass'a recent language with that OF the Nicholson
letter. we fepublish the following extract from his
speech:
1t follows, IRON these views, THAT TERRITORIAL
LEGISLATURES possess fall authority ouer all the
OF lc the relations OF husband and wife 81,
parent and child, OF guardian and ward and if the in
deposition OF Congress is unconstitutional las he ar
CUES throughout his speech that it isl ouer lie yefions
Of master and servant including the condition ofsa-
pery Hence, then, tie objection tue hare so often
heard repeated, that THESE LEGISLATURES caa0t act
upon this subject, because Congress, having no power
itself can grant for that purpose destitute of ana
real foundation. IT, indeed, there any constitutional
prohibition direct fairly implied which OPPOSES their
exercise OF this power, then OF Withheld from
them Asthat question is not IN my way | shall moi
turn aside to seek It, Dat shall content myself Nth Sag-
ing THAT SEE NO SUCH PRoHlRlTIoN, AND THAT RE-
EIEve THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORIES HAVE Iusr ,rur
SANE RIGHTS IN THIS RESPECT THAT
; THE = PE E4 y OF THE I'll STATES HAVE
OF LEGISLATION, OF WHICH THEY CAN
NOT JUSTLY BE DEPRIVED Let him Who
seeks 10 deprive them OF 1t turn to great charter
and put his finger upon the restriction =" Uaioa's Re-
port.
A GREAT Law SUIT DEcIDED.--A Frankfort CORES.
pondent of the Louisville Journal writes
1.-THE court oil appeals decided yesterday one fine
most important cases ever brought before it, refer 10
the OF Philips and others vs. the Heirs OF Mrs
Frances Pope. Upon the question involved in depend
ed vast amount OF property, which have heard va
rously estimated at from 5000 900 to 81 500 900 II