Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-01-03
SPEECH OF GEN. CASS.
XXI coNcR Ess-First Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %

ness at half.past twelve.
Mr.. Clemens having the floor, yielded it
TO MIR. Cass.
bama, mr. Clement) for yielding him the
floor, and said, Though expressed to the
honorable mover Of this resolution, my re-
gret at its introduction, yet here it is, and |
am required to vote upon it, TO testify my
satisfaction at the passage of the ComPro-
mise measure, and my conviction that ihe
arrangement was n just and should be a
final one no more TO be disturbed, in
whole or in part. | have before taken occa-
sion, in my seat here, when practical sub
jec,s involving all these issues were before
us, 10 state my views, and | shall not now
repeat them, when the course proposed sug-
gests no Legislative action. am no, gener.
ally in favor of mere legislative declarations
leading TO no practical results, yet the cir.
cumstances which surround this proceeding
give TO it unusual importance, and it may
well rest upon its own peculiar claims
The peace of the country has been assured,
trust, by this series Of measures but re-
ports had gone forth more or less imposing
in their character, that they would be assail-
ed in Congress, and some Of them repealed,
or 30 modified as TO destroy their efficiency
and acceplability. Agitation is thus kept
alive by the expectation, prepared 10 renew
its fearful work and in this state of things
find myself face 10 face with resolution
which asserts, as believe, the true charac.
ter and just iuvoabiliiy of these measures
and tends thereby 10 remove from the pub
lie mind all apprehension that the perilous
contest through which, by the kindness OF
Providence, we have safely passed, will
again be renewed, and l should discharge
my duty as faithlessly 10 my constituents, as
TO myself, il did no, eet this proposition
with frankness, and support it with firm
ness; and especially, sir, am unwilling ic
be misunderstood in this grave conjecture
after the demonstrations we have heard fol-
the first time from an American Senator, in
the American Senate, against the confedera-
tion and government Of our common coun-
try. If such sentiments are 10 furnish mo-
tives for any one for the rejection of this
proposition, they will furnish motives 10 me
for its support, as desire by my voice and
vote equally 10 mark my disapproba'on OF
from the Honorable Senator from South Car.
olina Mr.. Rhett) were 10 me as welcome as
they were unexpected. They fell upon
reluctant, may well say, indignant ears,
and they went 10 sorrowing hearts. have
not the most distant idea of following the
Senator in his bill of indictment againt his
country against my country against this
glorious Union--he most precious political
gift Of God 10 man since the exodus Of our
first parents from the Garden of Eden.
will not follow him, the talk would be too
irksome, in his ari,hmetical calculation Of
what the different portions Of our country
have lost or gained IN the collections and
disbursement CT revenue, in the disposition
OF the public lands, nor even in the amount
Of pensions granted the poor and time-hon-
ored, but time stricken relics of our revolu-
tionary struggle, not only because many of
the facts, and almost all the conclusions, are
erroneous, but still more, because, noiwilh-
standing the inequality which exists not, but
which may be shadowed forth by the most
distempered Imagination, there remains a
sun Of freedom and prosperity, of enjoyment
and blessings, such as the world never saw
before, and will never see again, if this
Union is dissolved. That it is the freest
government the sun ever shone upon, re-
quires no clearer proof than is furnished by
the very denuncation against it, uttered in
this high place, in the presence Of the por-
trait OF the Father OF his Country, hallowing,
not merely adornng, these walls, and who
in his last solemn act, warned US against
sectional feelings and their consequences. -
The government had not been merely assail-
ed in a strain of invective rare even in the
contests of party, but the determination has
been avowed in language not less clear than
unqualified, 10 break up the Union by break.
ing the prestige Of its integrity, and TO re-
duce it TO kink of temporary partnership
feeble and inefficient in its operations, both
at home and abroad, and equally coutempti'
BILE TO its own citizens and to the rest Of the
world. Does the honorable Senator be,
lieve there is another government undeI
the face OF Heaven where such language
and such objects can be utteIed and avowet
with impunty, and does he not find, in The
great principle Of the right OF speech, of free
speech, uushackled by conditions or linn
itatons, unknown, indeed, in lis exten
elsewhere, through the world does he no
find, | say, a refuiaton Of his own position
that we live under despoism, pracllca
commentary which rebukes even while h'
uttered them, his harsh deuuncialions A
10 the ruin so confidently asserted or pre-
dicted, where is il, or even sign Of it, a
big as mans hand, like ha, seen by tn
prophet, more truly inspired, trust, Iha
the Senator from South Carolina. Has III
eye of man ever rested upon more pros
porous country than this, and if such con
dition is more ruinous or pregnant wi
ruin, where shall We find prosperity but j
d,