Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-13
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CEN CASG

The Washington Republic of Mohday morning
contained rather spicy commentary upon the
following singular letter of Gen. Cass, which
has been extensively published in the Western
papers:
''W AsHINGToN, JANUARY 25, 1851.
"MY DEAR SIR: have just received your letter
and hasten to reply to 1t. think the appropriation bill
Tor the Improvement OF rivers and haborS will pass and
1t does the appropriation for friends, the Hoan-
ders will certainly succeed there is no doubt of that
vi course 1t will receive my vote and support heartily,
ny Chicago tetter' 10 the contrary notwithstanding;
know OF no Improvement more just and necessary, and
you may depend upon it that it will receive the entire
support OF our delegation.
~ am, dear sir, truly yours,
JOHN Il. KELLOGG, Esq. LEWIS CASS.
The gist of the Republics article was to use this
letter as another evidence of Gen Cass's studious
ambiguity on the subject of Internal Improve
ments. The General on Monday profted by the
new rnle ofthe Senate to hold its Execu tive Ses-
sions with open doors, to make long personal
explanation Its main points are that the bill re-
terred to in the above letter was not the bill last
before the Senate, and that the support promised
in this letter was not to any bill, but merely to
the appropriation for Black river. The words
about his Chicago letter, he says, were intended
"as mere joke" He intmates, though he does
not say directly, that he would have voted fer the
original bill framed upon estimates from the De-
partments.
"Certainy (he says) believe moderate bill would
have passed. hoped it would Like my friend from
Illinois, Mr. Dougas0 if kept within reasonable
bounds kept, he says, within the estimates OF the
Departments-I should have been willing to take it,
unless there were objectionable items which have
for old Improvements, and $10O GOO for new improve
ments-Q speak from recollection, and therefore not
accuraely;} halt million was also added for which
the Department never estimated-which they never
saw Who is to be responsible for this2'
Gen. Cass fails to tell us how he would have
voted, in the last resort upon the River and Har-
bour bill that was killed by the expiration of the
session. He makes some new illusions to the
"noise and confusion" story, displaying much
sensitiveness on the point, though he says he
can never think of it without laughing; and de-
tends his two twelve o'clock positions, one that
the Senate ought not to trench upon Sunday, the
other that the session ended at midnight of Mon
day. The following remarks are more creditable to
Gen. Casss candour, and we are happy to copy
them.
One other word. This is small game, very small
Here is a prominent organ OF great Administration
acting under their eyes. do not be eve the admin
istraton desires such small attacks these. l will
not do them that in justice. But what do not believe
thousands and hundreds Of thousands through the
try who do not know the that compose the Cab-
net as we'll do, will believe. They will doubt
that 1t is an attack not me, nothing but intended
to injure the great Democratic party, with whose
confidence have been honored on one occasion, and
which mean to go down to my grave without viola
ting. This Administration has placed itself high in
the great work OF pacifying the country, and they
havereceived the need OF appreciation from political
friends and political foes Ipartake OF the senti
ment. / do them justice, But am Democrat.
have passed my life a Democrat, and God willing
| mean to die one. This is Wing administration, but
that is no reason should notdo them JUSTICE and do
it with pleasure in this great matter OF the salvation OF
th. country il l may say. have done So and shall
continue to do whatever their papers may
tan for do not for their sakes, but for the sake of
truth and the country.
Mr. President, it is not with any view to attack them
or to conciate them, that | make these remarks; for
upon all the party issues far asunder
But do not wish to have my views misrepresented
upon this subject in Journal thus situated without
contradiction; for these views are as plain the
words of Gen. Jackson make them, and he that
can find palmer than were employed 10 his message,
let them be produced.