Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-05-07
,p. ,rss,F From hc Washington Union OF April l2.l
10y !ei" GENERAL CASS.

al nlnt1
Sar anncnton FOR his aid we have known Dr. A. from
his youth up. ..s.--
-, .r.s, From hc Washington Union OF Apri. l2.l
ID! 'et GENERAL CASS.
The situation Of this arns hrs o s ,e
,in f What NAV be called political gratitude or aiher me
want of it, Himself rejected, ana ms doctrines upon .s
great questions of he day repuoiau S,h bcusn ,h
extreme men of the North and OF the oouti' ueeouse nc!
did not 90 far enough for the one party anu VIM ~ M M
the other lived see them accepted ps ~, nd
constituting the ONLY position where in inc cons INV
he oiou OF Si,es could be maintained. And MS Nchol
letter, which many charged was desiShee ~ Is.
South II now appears from The evidence " ~ ~, Thai
Davis and Of other senator's had no such purposes u
on The contrary his views were then perfectly unuetsoou
by southern well they now IL mas osn oee
alleged that the ground taken in that letter agans e o
sritutonaily Of The Nmot proviso taken from mere
personal obecs without regard any deliberate
ton the grave SUBJECTS involved in that question: ou'
Col Davis has redeemed him from this charge, and SHOWN
that 50 far nconsiderae and unworthy haste ne
Win one of the abIest and experienced Judges
upon the bench OF the Supreme Court OF me United
TACT indeed stated OF his speecnes-ahu hat MS
general views were in conformity WIN ana 10 sumo ts
suggested bv those Of that distinguished urls Anon"
tie first If the very first OF the northern men VINO came
against The Wimot provso, General Cass explained us
continents in speech which will long DC remembered h
less bv the almost effect produced upon pub
OPINION than the General correct views the IL con
,ained and The spirit OF attachment that II orcatca 10 every
portion 81 :he Union.
He had the opportunity and i, does not often occur 10
prove the sincerity of his convictions by the slcrcc he
prepared 10 make The Legislature OF Michigan mad
instructed their senators 10 vote for The WIlnot pross
Gen Cass, Democrat, acknowledged the rish OF IN
strucon he did acknowledge the right require
him vote upon constitutional question, contrary 10 tie
CONVICTIONS o his own conscience. He therefore avowed
his determination to resign the subject came be-
fare tie Senate. And adds another 10 the singular phases
which mark the affair, that. as tie determination
and The views contained in his Wimot porso speech were
Michigan, the Legislature repealed their nstruc-
ons-beng the first free State that did and its Demo
cracy has since been The foremost and most u"aver
ing friends Of the constitutional right OF the South. we
Ila often wondered the facility with which southern
men suffer themselves 10 denouncc enemies all persons
HE free States do not view all the questions con-
necei with this subject precisely as hey do forget
Ting that those who live in excited community be me
subject what may have easy time when they follow INC
OF public opinion and are most appauded when mos
jealous while those who dissent from The prevailing sentl'
en their district and take part against IL and cndeaV-
or TO correct tor the sake of country, make
sacrifices Of position and prospects which ought 10 COM
nand respect instead OF provoking dstrust and denunca
ton.
We supposa when General Cass made his Wnot proyiso
speech OF which subJon The concluding paragraphs he
considered his political life ended Tor certain
II there nothing then justify the expectation tha
sudden change would intervene in Michigan where they all
seemed be Of opinion which would retain him in the
councils OF the country.
In The Senate Of The United States, January - lo1V me
following resolution, offered by ir tooc oil MlsSssipPr
being under consideration:
"Resoved, Tha is the duty of Congress at this ses-
sion to establish suitable territorial governments Tor Cator
MIA for Dessert and for New Mexico"
Mr. Cass concluded hi, remarks in opposition TO the vii
mot PrUvisO in these words:
he Wlmat provs0 Is urged upon the ground OF its eN-
pediency opposed upon the ground OF lis unconstl'n
onality. Those who urge IT, may well abandon II when
circumstances show that the is dangerous in Itself
or rroftlcss in lis result. Those who oppose II cannot
change their convictions of right and that portion Of HE
Union which considers itself peculiarly affected by il, VIII
change The conviction that lis feelings ard Interests viii
be sacrificed in violation VI The great compact which makes
political family.
"Now, sir, repeat is the contest worth the cost! To
place this barrcn and as believe unconstitutional povis"
on The b0okis that rccompensc for the wounds
that would be inflicted and the feelings that would be
cited whose disastrous effects right.mnded man can
without the most serious apprehension! The
oldest among may live II SEQ their commencement Inc
Youngest may not live their termination For myself,
viii part such effort. will minister 10 no such
feeling will engage in such crusade against The Souih
from whatever motives il originates will cndeavor 10
discharge y duty, American senator, TO the country
and The whole country ngreeaby TO the convictions o
my duty and Of the obligations of the constitution; ami
when do this shall 10 have any dut here 10
perfur NJ sentiments upon the NilmOt prOrso are now
before the Senate ana will soon br before my constituents
and the precluded from voting in conformity
with ihc:n have been instructed by the legislature OF
Michigan in favor Of this measure. AIN believer
the right of instruction when fairly exercised and under
proper There limitations upon this ex
rcs but need seek 10 ascertain their extent or app-
cation for they do not my present position ac-
knowledge The obligation Of Tho instructions have receV
ed, and cannot act in opposition 10 item Nor can act IN
opposition In convictions OF the ne meaning oi
III. cuGetuon When the time comes and am required
upon this practical one IN bill prurd-
ing r aie;ritoria government shall know how 10 recon-
ellie my duty To the legislature with my duty 10 myself ny
surreRderiHg Il trust can no longer inhl."
as the ground taken by Mr.. Cas became known
Michigan The legislature repealed the instructions upon
this subject and left their Senators free 10 act at their own
discretion.
Now / will add but n word the position Of General
Cass in reference the fugitive slave law; and therefore
extract the following passage from The able and eloquent
speech Of Col Polk delivered in the House OF Representa-
ses the 9Th April:
t,-b ,iJ ;.h ard
The Democratic candidates md the fugitive slave law
consider 1t hut Justice the honorable Senator Mr. Cas-
tie other end of The Capitol 10 state his position upon
that Mir. Chairman, although am you7g Amer
ican and although am FOR Young America although re-
pu!isfc tie the Democratic Review in assaiIng But
Ter Marcy and ohcrs-ahough rcpudatc the .. the
Pennsy vanian in assaIing ougas-althouGh rcpudac
tho Of the Keystone and other newspapers in ASSUMING
M Ruchaaanand although repudate every paper IN the
county that has assaeh any Democrat and hold them all
alike criminal yet regard them all having done injustice
General Ca5s That has been assailed the
fugitive slave law. Now stand here ready and prepared
prove General Cass made the first speech in favor Of
the execution OF clause the constitution which
to carry out will read from his speech dev
cred in the Senate Of the United States l3 1880
nd page SIS of tho Congressional Globe part lSt
session 3ist Congress"
On this occasion General Cass said:
My own opinion is, sir that should take up tho bill
the ccapufc OF fugitive slaves reported by the Judiciary
Committee. am disposed 10 suspend all nur discussions,
and 10 lay aside MI other business, with view 10 act upon
that bill wi;lpn, unnecessary delay and pass in snc
would bc acceptable majority OF this body. That
point which The South feels most acntey and in
regard which il has tho post serious cause of complaint.
havencad but in This body deny the existence OF
this evil The justice and necessity Of providing AIDE
qla:c fc!L cdy.
"hc Of 1898 provided that the State magistrates in
The "ariJn; cities and counties Of the Union siou! carry
that av ELECT This provision has been since rendered
nnaarnry as icsc officers will net, and
Guenily thu Judges OF the United States alone have ntisdc
inn the subject They enough for that pu,
Pose and the !aw, therefore, requires amendment FOR
one willing take up The subject and provide the
Of carrying the provision OF Tic constitution
full ELECT Such procedure would have the best
iec upOn the South this time. Ii would be pledge Of
sincerity OF desire do justice thu! great
Gn OF our common country
maintain that Gcnernl Cass the first upon The
lonr of the Senate who proclaimed that he willing
i've authority the Stale Governments 10 carry that
provision Of tie constitution OF The United States for
he rendition of the fugitive slave Douglas stands
here now Marcy stands there Houston stands there;
Bu hanan stands there Butter and Dickinson there's
md every champion of the Democratic party stands
herc; but Cass The first. The day has scarcely
marked sunset preceding the hour thai speak, thai Cen
cass has not b. distinct in the other end OF the Cap
Ol recorded his agulnst the alteration modification
change OF the provisions of The law adopted and embodied as
leading prominent Tea re of the called the Com.
promise 1850 and 5l the fugitive slave fea
Let The speak, gives The position Of Gen. Cas-.
Vi Judge Douglas, and others.
"The lay the table the petition presented by SIR