Richmond semi-weekly times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 184?-1853, 1852-04-27
Gen. CdsS md Hirginia.

resp ective paitsans of Buchanan and Douglas,
have called forth an elaborate defence of the &C.
sral from correspondent of the Richmond En-
quirer. The writer AYERS that Cass is the strong
est man in the Democratic ranks, and
CUES strenuousy against the old maxim Of
she turf, that it is bad policy to run bea-
ton horses. There is, we admit, some little plaus
Utility in his views on this point. 1.-THE reason
(he says) defeated candidate runs better the
second time than the first is as palpable as the
fact is notorious. In the first contest everything
is said against him which can be said; when those
things are repeated they are listened to with the
indifference thrice told tales are, and they pro-
duce about as much effect.
"IfGen. Cass is our candidate we know before
hand all that can be said against him, and we
know how to meet it. But with another candi
date we know not what embarrassing things may
be dragged out of the musty record of the past
The writer of this has heard Of some very awk-
ward things of that in store in the ofther
obtaining, for some of those spoken of for the no.
mination, which have not yet been brought to
light. With Gen. Cass as our candidate we will
be forewarned and forearmed
This hint about the ssawkward things that
in store for Gen. Cass's rivals, and which may be
dragged from the musty records of the past in the
event of their nomination, is quite significant and
alarming, and will, we have no doubt, be amply
verified by the result.
The writer contends that every principle OHIO
and policy dictatesto Virginia to stand by the
leader with whom she suffered misfortune in the
last contest. In reference to Gen. Cass's view
to the power of the territorial legislatures
the subject of slavery, he says
Whether the doctrine propounded in the Nicholson let
relative the of OF the Territorial egls
lature be sound not Ishal discuss For it is
phaticay shall show presently it was in 1s4s,
as purely an abstract question the Presidency
concerned any other question flaw morals If it
proper to do it, it oud be to show that was
the doctrine of John Taylor of Caroline oThonas Jeer
son. and the Congress of 1907, and OF many eminent
Southern of the day But what is
pertinent this discussion is that it is the avowed doc
ne every prominent candidate the Democratic par
fy for the Presidency including Dickinson, Buchanan and
Douglas.
The Democratic politicians of Virginia were
far from regarding this as abstract question"
in 1s4s. On the contrary, they put it into their
platform, declared that it was not inferior in
practical importance to the question of the Will
mot Proviso itself, and solemnly pledged them
selves to sustain no man for the Presidency whose
opinions upon the subject were not coincident
with tlAir own. But these fiery champions of
SOuCnern rl9nbS nave cOOlou uoWu IIuIuouSely
within the last three or four years. We no lon
ger understand them as occupying the extreme
position which they assumed in the last Presi-
dental canvass. The platform erected in l848
was found to be an unsafe and rckety concern, and
it has accordingly been unceremoniously knocked
to pieces, and new structure reared In It's stead
Whether this last will be found to answer tn g
purposes of it's builders any better than its prede-
cessor we must be permitted to express our
doubts. Itmay we'll be questioned whether it
possesses sufficient vitality preserve it from de-
cay until the Presidential campaign is over.
The Democracy of this State, whilst they
make no secret of their hostility to the nomination
of Cass, stavow their willingness to support him
ia case he shall prove to be the choice of the Bal
timore Convention. In so doing, they will, as we
have just intimatsd, completely and ingloriously
abandon the principles they proclaimed on the eve
of the last canvass. They then pledged the mselves
to support for the Presidency no candidate who
was not the firm and ayowed opponent of the doc
trne that the people of territory may prohibit
slavery within the limits of such territory. Now
Gen. Cass ha. openly and boldly declared him
self the firm and unwavering ADVOCATE OF this OBJ
noxious doctrine, and yet the consistent and prin-
iple-loviag Democracy of this State are ready to
rally around his standard at tho bidding OF the
great national caucus. They may seek to pal
liate'th contemplated act of disoyalty to prln-
ciple by saying that Gen. Cass is not their first
choice, and that they will endeavor to defeat his
nomination in the National Convention. But
this excuse will not avail them, for we have the
authority of the Democratic writer above quoted
for the fact that the territorial doctrine of Genera
Cas- is the avowed doctrine of every prominent
Democratic candidate for the Presidency, inclu-
ding Buchanan and Douglas, the respective favo-
rites of the two wings of the party in thi, State
The sticklers for the Virginia platform of l846
have therefore nothing to gain by the defeat of