The daily union., 1852-04-13
For me Union.
asnsr-I c....

II kdlaf IN annals,
ustraton OF what may be called political gratitude. or
rather the want OF H. Himself rejected and his doctrines
upon the great questions OF the day repudaied with equal
zeal by the extreme OF the North and OF the South
because they did 90 far enough Tor the party
and too far for the Other he has lived 10 them
accepted by the country constituting the only position
where the constitution and the union Of the States could
be maintained And his Nicholson letter, which many
charged was designed to deceive the South, II APP
pears from the evidence OF Col Jefferson Davis and OF
other senators, had such purpose; but that. the
contrary, his views then perfectly understood by
southern well as they are now. II has often
been alleged that the ground taken in that letter against
the constitaonality OF the Wmot proviso was taken
from personal objects. without regard TO any delb
consideration OF the grave subjects involved in that
question. But Col Davis has redeemed him from this
CHARGE and shown that so far from inconsiderae and
unworthy haste, he consulted with OF the ablest and
experienced judges upon the bench Of the Supreme
Court OF the United Statesa fact, indeed stated in one
OF his speeches-and that his general views were in
conformity WITH and in some measure suggested by,
those OF that distinguished jurst. Among the first, ii
not the very FIRST oil the northern men who out
against the Wmot provso General Cass explained his
sentiments in speech which will long be remembered
not less by the almost instantaneous effect il produced
upon public opinion than for the general correct views
that il contained aud the spirit Of attachment that it
breathed to every portion Of the Union
He had the opportunity, and il does not often occnr,
prove the sincerity OF his convictions by the sacrifice
he prepared to make. The Legislature of Michigan
had instructed their senators to vote for the Wmot
proviso General Cass as democrat, acknowledged the
right OF instruction but he did not acknowledge the
right to require him 10 vote upon constitutional ques
ton contrary TO the convictions of his conscience
He therefore avowed his determination 10 resign
as the subject before the Senate. Aud il adds
other to the singular phases which mark the affair." that
as the determination and the views contained in
4 n.
legislature repealed their nslructlonsbeng the first Tree
State that did so and its democracy has since been
among the foremost and most unwaveng friends OF the
constitutional rights of the South. We have often
dered at the facility with which southern suffer
themselves TO denounce as enemies all persons from the
free States who do view all the questions connected
with this grave subject precisely they do, forgetting
that those who live in excited community, be the sub
ject what il may, have easy time when they follow
the course OF public opinion, and most appauded
when most jealous; while those who dissent from the
prevailing sentiment of their district. and take part against
ii, and endeavor to correct il for the sake Of
mon country make sacrifices OF position and prospects
which ought to command respect, instead OF provoking
dstrust and denunciaton. a
We suppose when General Cass made his Wimot- pro-
viso speech, OF which suboin the concluding para
graphs. be must have considered his political life ended
for certainly there nothing then TO justify the expec
taon that sudden change would intervene 10 Michi-
would retain him in the councils OF the country.
In the Senate of the United States, January 22 1885,
the following resolution, offered by Mr. Foo,e of Mis-
| sisspp being under consideration
"Rs,oip.d. That is the duty of Congress this
establish suitable territorial California
for Dessert, and for New Mexico
| Mr. Cass concluded his remarks in opposition TO the
Wilmot proviso in these words
"The Wlmot proyso is urged upon the ground of its
expediency It's opposed upon the ground OF its
,t.fta 10 xuh II.
when circumstances show that the dangerous
in itself pro6ess in its result Those who oppose
cannot change their convictions Of right and that portion
OF the Union which considers itself peculiarly affected by
it will not change the conviction that its feelings and i'm
will be sacrificed violation Of the great compact
which makes political family.
"Now sir, repeat, is the contest worth the cosil To
place this baren and as believe, unconstitutional pro-
viso the a,ute-book-is that recompense for the
wounds that would be inflicted and the feelings that
would be excited, whose disastrous effects right
minded contemplate without The serious ap-
prehension The Oldest among us may live 10 their
commencement the youngest may not live to their
termination. For myself, will take part in no such ef-
fort will minister TO no such feeling. will engage
in no such crusade sgains, the South, from Whatever
motives il originates. will endeavor 10 discharge my
duty, American senator, to the country and to the
whole country. agreeably to the convictions Of my own
duty and OF the obligations OF the constitution and when
cannot do this, shall have any duty here to
perform. My sentiments upon the Wimot provso are
now before the Senate, and will soon be before my
stituents and the country. precluded from voting
in conformity with them have been instructed by the
legislature OF Michigan TO vote in favor OF this
am believer in the right OF instruction when fairly
ercIsed, and under proper circumstances There linn
ita,ions upon this exercise but need seek
tain their extent application, for they do
my present position acknowledge the obligation OF the
instructions have received and cannot act in opposi-
ton 10 them. Nor can act in opposition 10 my own
convictions OF The true meaning oil the constitution.
When the time comes. and ! required 10 vote upon
this measure as practical one, in bill providing for a
territorial government. shall know how to reconcile my
duty to the legislature with my duty to myself by
rendering trust ] can no longer fulfill.
As the ground taken by Mr. Cass became
known in Michigan the legislature repealed the ins,ruc-
tons upon this subject and left their free TO act
at their own discretion
| Now. will add but word 10 the position OF Gen
Cass in reference 10 the fugitive. slave law and therefore
extract the following passage from the able and eloquent,
speech OF Colonel Polk. delivered in the House OF Rep.
reseniaiives on the 9Th instant:
| "Mr Polk Now, something has been said with re-
gard TO the democratic candidates and the fugitive slave
law. consider il but justice TO the honorable senator
Mr. CAss at the other end Of the Capitol to state his
position upon that measure. Mr.. Chairman, although 1
am young American, and although am for Young
Amerca-altbough rspudate the act OF the Democratic
Review in assaing Butler, Marcy. and o,hers-slthough
repudiate the act OF The Pennsy lvanian in assaing
Dougas-although repudiaie the act Of the Keystone
and other newspapers IN assaihng Mr. Buchanan--and
although repudaie every paper in the country that has
assailed any democrat, and hold them all alike criminal
YET regard them all as having done injustice 10 General
Cass That gentleman has been assaed upon the fuQi.
tive slave law Now stand here ready and prepared
TO prove that General Cass made the first speech in favor
of thai constituton which