Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-11-18
SPEECH OF GEN. CASS.

Gen CAss delivered an elaborate speech at th,
City Hall in Detroit on the evening of the 4tl
instant. lie embraced the occasion to give full
consideration Of the Kansas Nebraska act the prin
caples of which met his entire appreciation. The
following portion Of it is all that we have seen re
ported, being that part which refers to the attacks
made upon him by the Richmond Enquirer. 1t il
stated that after calling upon the Western anG
Southern Democracy to stand up for the rights O.
the South, aud to resist with all their energies tht
dangerous and subversve abolition tendencies Of thC
age threatening the most fatal consequences to the
Union, Gen. CAss said :
That there is a natural feeling in the human breast
against the existence of slavery do not question Mr.
Jefferson called it "virtuous feeling" II originates
sdonbtedy in yrtuous motives do all emotions caus-
sd by misfortune through the world We should take
esre that their indulgence works injustice to the
sion views OF Others As American citizens you have
nothing to do with the question of slavery ont Of your
dwn State except to carry into effect the provision OF
tS Constitution for the surrender offugtyes from labor
and faithfully to observe its stpulaons respecting the
principles of taxation and representation connected with
chat institution Here your duty is exhausted, and
you must not mistake your objections to slavery Tor
right TO interfere with it, Your sentiments upon the
St<nst question: upon any other abstract question OF
S1od or Of evil give just cause OF offence while
uxpressed with becoming moderation But you must not
zasumc these sentiments the of your rights
Jour obligations The question for honest patriotic
American when be to exercise his functions as
cren Is not whether he regrets the existence of slavery
af what right he has to touch it, His feelings and his
oxvcons may justify the former the Constitution alone
CAD Justify the latter. aa
a short time since made some remnrks before the
Democratic State Convention assembled in this hall,
Psnatory Of my views and in relation to the Me-
hraskA aud Kansas bills Entrusted with portion Of
cAe legislative power OF the State in the General Govern
Szsas nnn'ass5 h.fs-A -esr"c.af" .ay sf ~ ~
SSteufnt7 20 render account OF my stewardship. An
cort vas every where making ard every where II had
Been more or less successful produce the impression
as All those who supported these bills in Congress
prsaVery men, to cant phrase of the day. and that
eir advocacy OF these conclusive evidence
m their alienation from the principles Of freedom and Of
aer devotion to those Of slavery chose to put myself
fznt upon this point and, while maintaining the just
power OF other portions of the Union to deal with this
Gaeston for themselves and they pleased to express
nay belief that slavery misfortune for any country
chose 70 have distinctly understood that it was not
Eao institution itsef was defending, but the political
as OF other sections of the country under the Cons
suaoo Certainly could do little justice TO myself, lit
e benefit TO constitutional principle which is dear to
me- by endeayorng TO conceal these sentiments and pac
inE myself in false position before my constituents,
who had pronounced their Judgment upon the condition
Gi slavery by excluding it from the State and in
Lnrnny with these views stated that Icondered slave
~ social and political eya misfortune for any
Try And this is the substance of what then said, il
s Ne substance Of what had said before here and in
rhe senate and elsewhere at home and abroad ! was
reported 10 have added that slavery also moral evil
ald not say so do not think so, under the crcum
stances in which it exists in the Southern States Such
an assertion would have been inconsistent with main
position assumed that the present inhabitants Of those
atcs were not responsible for the introduction Of slave
H nor did see how it possible for themto abolish it.
For the expression Of these views have been arragned
sy the Richmond Enquirer in terms less arrogant
tnan sirulent First denounced aud then repouaced
Aase beeB finally expelled from the Democratic party by
iss decree OF accommodation But es am not in the
Asht o. submitting to assumption presumption
1hs not submit 10 bot when united in the columns
90 that cnce justly and highly journal How
2nE ,HE MIGHTY PALL4H
An well as anslyze the objurgations Of the En-
Srer s editor its -cathedra writer only
ra ake 1t cause Of offence that have entertained and
sressed these sentiments respecting slavery but that
nave done go at this time though this the first
tnae had done it. Why have thought it proper
sanity again to explain my views have just stated and
never occurred TO that any reasonable dspas
shssaie man, North South would object to
able asure and indeed, have yet to learn that any
xue man has objected 1t is the first if indeed
Is rhe twentieth, time have found it necessary to sepa
rfe the defence Of constitutional rights from the defence
slavery and no editor fit for his position who deems
my sentiments upon this subject worth commentary, and
wko eensures my course without ascertaning what has
or, having ascertaned it, chooses to misrepresen
u ny opinion that slavery is evil has beeen spread
asfcre the country time after time and than
nae circumstances to gain for very general attention
~ io4Z in the pamphlet published in Paris, exposing
nns consequences and injustice Of the quintuple treaty
nA1d . We are stakeholder; have been,
naver shall be- We deprecate its existence ia principle
1 pray for It's abolition every where where that be
Snacted justly, peaceaby, and wisely In my letter to
Mr. Nicholson in December, 1sA7, said: We may
ws regret the existence Of slavery the Southern States
md wish they had been free from its introduction
Thsse views were known every Southern politician be-
sare the Baltimore Convention of 1848
Cn TIE 18th ofFebruary, 1850 remarked in the SEN
an !" Unfortunately, sir, every who does not be-
eve that slavery the best condition human society," and
szt community prospered it might have done
without It. is apt be considered by the South
Acrthern fanatic regardless alike of their rights and
aas compromises Of the Constitution Now, cir do not
3slssSe this and no consideration on earth can induce
me TO say believe that slavery is great misfortune
Er any country. But the existing institution have
neither The power the disposition to touch" 81
And | said in the Senate, in February, 1854: Sla-
vsy, 10 my opinion have said more than before
IN the Senate, and have doubt unacceptably many
~ q great civil, social, and political evil"
So much for my sentiments and for their public avowa
writer r reader has any moral right to say that have
ssivcd the North the South to attribute their
affirmation at this time to any unworthy motive.
Eat since when has ii become offence against the
South 70 express these views Of the condition and the
Consequences Of ssvery The pretension is of very
Ssi.t origin and like many other preensions, what
lacks IN age and Justice is to be supplied by denunca-
2sa General Washington said that 'itwas among his
frst wishes TO plan adopted by which slavery
may be abolished by law"
Thus speaks Mr.. jefferson upon the subject 90
an say with truth that there is not earth who
would sacrifice than would to relieve from this
3savy reproach of slavery in any practicable way The
e<eSion OF that kind Of property flor 1t is misnamed is
baatelle which would cost me single thought il in
eax way general emancipation and exparaton could
BIC effected gradually; and with due sacrifice think il
miEbt be. But, it is, have the wolf by the ears
nod neither hold him safely let him go--ius.
Ara In one scale aud sefpreservation in the other