Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-08
GFNER AT, CASS.

GENERAL CASS. |
The following letter was addressed by Gen. Cas- to
the committee of the Democratic Union meeting in New
York. Wehope it may have good effect in convlnc-
ing the Northern people Of the tremendous hazard to
which they expose the Union by continuing press OIL
teusve measures upon the South Cen Cass speaks no
more than the sober truth when he declares the Union
TO be in danger:
GDexS w AsHINGToN, Feb. IL, 1871 |
Gentlemen: have just received your invitation 70 az
tend the meeting proposed to be held at lammany nan
on Saturday evening, in defence OF the INTEGRITY o le
Union" Never was the Union in greater peril ana ne
yer did our country need wiser heads or sounoer heas
to enable her to avoid the dangers that are last gatnerng
around us. Its to source OF great graucauon,
as well as an auguy of safety that the democracy OF the
great city of New York coming to the rescue and
are comng-as they have often come IN tmes OF dlli-
cuty-true to their creed and their fathers creed
and with a devotion to the Union and to the whole
union which considers the rights OF each the rights OF
all This is the spirit and the only spirit in which
the crisis can be Justly met and harmony and confidence
restored to the country 1t is evident that neither in
the North West is the extent or tendency OF the
citement in the Southern States understood or appreci
aed 1t seems TO be supposed that this Is one OF those
ordinary conflicts of opinion such we have often
perenced and to which all communities at times
posed and that it may be surveyed without nquetude,
sted may be fatal. The evil day, if upon us,
US. The attempt to force an obnoxious and, as
believe, unconstitutional and useless measure upon
the South has united that great portion of the confede
ration together, as one man. to resist it.
All other questions are absorbed by this, and it the
contest goes on, all other parties will disappear and
Southern party The feelings the opinions the inte
rests the preludices even you please OF vast COM
muny like that neither to be lightly treated or safe
| ly disregarded Pride of character goes far with
States as with individuals; and when positions are taken
in periods OF excitement they are not tasy abandoned,
unless the controversy is conducted in spirit OF mutual
Cancellation When men believe that important rights
are assaed the feeling Of opposition is instructive, and
history is full OF proofs that they do not sit down. sober
y to count the cost before they prepare for resistance
We have practical subject under discussion, to
which fourteen States OF this Union opposed may
almost say, as one mana degree OF unanlmlty never
before presented in our own history, and rarely indeed,
in the history OF any other country We have reached
| grave sectional question in our political progress
that question oreseen and toretold and OF which we
were solemny forewarned by the Father OF his Coun
try, as the only one which could seriously threaten the
existence of this government. His voice now comes to
US from the tomb. God grant that may be heard and
| needed Whatever impressions may prevail elsewhere,
suppose there Is no intelligent observer at the seat OF
government who is not seriously disturbed at the pre-
sent of things Whether the danger is greater or
less or more remote, are questions about which
men may differ, and undoubtedly, do differ but KIN ow
lover of his country who does view the crisis as
alarming one, and does not in the signs of the
times the approach OF one OF those political convul
sons, which, If not aveed by wise and timely measures,
may be fatal us, and to the Of freedom through
out the world.
This Union is in danger. The first step towards safe
y is to believe that the danger exists, and the watch
man. when asked what OF the night who does sound
the ALARM neither true to his duty, the in
erests OF those who have committed part of the for
tress OF their liberty to his keeping and the STEP
and the best STEP and the only efectua STEP to do as
you have doneto call upon the American people to be
up and doing to say to their servants here and else
where in tones neither to be misunderstood, be
disobeyed We love the Union we have lived in it
and to die in it. Place not in danger by any
| unnecessary act OF yours.
Let him who will, calculate the value of this Union if
he can. spurn the useless effort. Its value is in the
past in the present, and in the future in its promises
its performances, and its hopes In all has DONE and
doing, and is destined yet trust to do Its value is
in the heart OF every true American 1t has made ours
the most prosperous country on the face of the earth:
given US greater measure OF national freedom than any
other people ever enjoyed placed us among the power
full nations OF the world, with nothing to fear but our
! own foies and crimes, and the judgment OF God it
has spread an intelligent, happy contented and
vrtuous population over our hills and valleys and pra
ries from the shores OF the Atlantic almost to the base
OF the Rocky Mountains, which the hardy pioneer is
now ascending and has already brought the great
political offering, to be laid upon the altar OF our
mon country, of constitution from free people who
have established their home upon the very shores tina,
look out upon China and Japan.
All this our Union has done; but fleh to go on, its
work has but just begun We cannot explore the flu
ture; is best should not. But have reason to
hope, with proper humanity ind eed, that if not struck
with Judicial blindness the career OF this great republic
will be glorious itself asst will be happy for its people
and encouraging the lovers freedom throughout the
world. The Of human liberty depends on us.
If lost here by intestine divisions, it is lost everywhere
I
great question ofhe power of self government is COM
mitted to our keeping five cannot govern ourselves
who can! If this constitution falls the that will
govern us may be the sword My ardent prayer is that
may never live to see that day.
Come, then, Democrats of New York, to the rescue
of your country. 1t is high and holy work, and ge
neratons unborn may yet live to bless you for the deed
Aye, and will add-for the occasion is too solemn for
any professions of exclusive parotism-that trust the
Wing party, too, will unite similar efforts and at
tempt also to avert the calamtles suspended over our
common country They love her as we do, and have
the interest in her prosperity and in the stability of
her institutions Let every citizen put his hand the
good work, and ii will be done.
Icannot attend your meeting on Saturday evening;
my public duties will detan here; but my heart and
my hopes will be with you. Your fellow citizen.
\ LEWIS CASS.
Robt. J. Dillon, James T. Brady,)
P5n 4 Z W s,s1 Esay Auss sehs and Committee
The Tammany Union meeting, in New York City