The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-10-06

IL not intention when TWO or three days since
paid respects to the Richmond (yrgnia) Enqui
rer TO reeur to the article in that print which provoked
our remarks The attack upon Gen Cass unpro-
voked so atrocious papaby unjust that there seemed
no occasion repe single thrust AT his character as
undertaking statesman TO ward off single reflection
upon his reputation true and bold and fearless
Gen Cass has lived TO little purpose if after half century
of public seryce after having been the recipient of the
choicest distinctions and enjoyed the highest confidence of
the democratic party-if after having maintained
ssency of principle and of action surpassed by Amer
lean statesmsn-his good with any considerable po
ton of the American people can be affected by any assaults
the Richmond Enquirer make upon it, he has lived TO
little purpose if acknowledged leader of his party
up the present moment he has not made record that
will stand any fair test that be applied to tiff he has
built up reputation that cannot be penetrated by any
ordinary poisoned shaft He is in need of no defence and
DO not take up pen TO defend him. But the Enqu
rers article having been reproduced in several northern
papers purpose briefly to review of its points
simply show how truth has been warped by prejudice
and how ignorance of contemporary history has betrayed
| the Enquirer into most unenyabe position.
| The apparent immediate of the Enqurer's ebu-
ton is that General Cas in his speech before the demo-
cratic State convention did maintain that slavery
good institution But will let the Enquirer speak for
| itself:
by the Nebraska bill Gen Cass is reported TO have used
the following language: 1t was true the northern sent
opposed to slavery it was natural that it should
be- He opposed to it. and had said in the Senate that
it political evil, and many other things greatly to
the dispeasure of the South, and would stick to it under
ALL circumstances &c He thanked God that he lived in
a free State There reason why people in the
Territories should not themselves make their own
local laws and define the character of their institutions
lie maintained that the Nebraska bill did not open Kansas
and Nebraska slavery if it did he would yield all argn
enI but slavery could not go there unless the people
themselves wanted it, clause introduced by his colleague
had cut off all claims establish slavery under the opera
ton of the old law when the territory acquired by the
United States Slavery sno recognised in the Territories
and is only subject to local laws every man there free
no slave is recognised until the people voted it.
Unperyered human feeling is opposed to slavery &C. &c
Such is the Interpretation which Gen. Cass gives Mch
gan audience OF the spirit and effect OF the Nebraska bill
and such the exposition Of his own principles and feelings
in regard to slavery. The lnrmity of nature which
has often betrayed the veteran politician into ridiculous
and deporabe blunders him here to abandon the
high ground which he would be thought occupy the
South and crnge to the nsoent spirit of northern alb
olitionism Gen Cas might have moderated his language
to suit the temper Of his constituents but it scarcely
allowable in him to sacrifice his principles TO the
cesstes of his position AT any rate he cannot expect the
South ecoec only the brave words which he uttered
at Washington and to take tor naught the eacherous
cantation at Detroit
What Cen Cass did say that slavery is great So
cal and political evil" He also said that he thanked God
that he lived in free State; and what northern man does
not ask He took the view attributed to him of the
Nebraska act contendng every reputable states
man and every respectable urst does that slavery
have no existence except by force positive law and that
hence it cannot go Kansas and Nebraska until permit
ted by the legislatures of those Territories This is not the
first or second third time Gen Cass has uttered the
same views on this point He held them, and had ex-
pressed them when he nominated for the presidency
in s4s and has upheld them scores if not hundreds of
times since The Richmond Enquirer should know this.
Nor the late occasion the first time Gen. Cass has
said that he deemed slavery social and political evil
This also the Enquirer should have known, for then it
would not at this late day have attacked Gen. Cas for the
expression of opinion he has repeatedly expressed before
In his speech on the Nebraska bill delivered the goth of
I February last, he said:
4 Slavery is in my opinion as have said more than
before the Senate, and have doubt unaccepa-
bly, many, great evil social and political but it is an
existing one, from which sec escape and for which
the South responsible to the North to other
tribunal but to Him who made both bond and free and
while either in public in private life have strength to
express views not out of peculiar regard to any section
Of the country but in obedience to the dictates omy
conscience shall to uphold the right OF the
South determine every question in relation to this species
of property for themselves and the duty of the whole Union
TO carry into effect the constitutional provision in good
faith and with kind feelings. do not know any north
ern man who is disposed 10 go beyond this Nor is there
any southern man who should segire IT
This also the substance Of what General Cass said in
the State convention He there eynced distase
Of slavery than he does in the above extract and he
not less in urging upon his hearers their duty to
the South under the constitution and laws. Indeed, he
dwe with great emphasis upon this branch of his subject
and certainly carried conviction to the minds of who
| were not convinced before
Immediately following the hrst quQtaiion above from
! the Enquirer, the writer goes on 10 say
W his language be correctly given in the report of his
speech he has severed the last cord which bound him to
the democracy of the South. Hencelorh he must rank
with Benton and Van Buren, who has insuited our
feelings and betrayed confidence The weak attempt
to serve two masters reconcile devotion to the constu
ton with submission to abotonisman attempt TO which
he was persuaded by the suggestions of an undyng amb
ionhas placed hm with these lustrious aposates, III
( the limbo of lost ana dshopored politicians
If the universal sentiment of the copny outside of abo
tionsm conceded with the obvious views Of the writer
respecting the institution of slavery, there might
apology be found for this dabolica language There
and is free to declare that slavery great social and po
litca evil Nor is this feeling confined to the North 1t
prevails widely very widely, in the Southso widely that
there are few enlightened men there who do not feel it.
aze it, kaor Because General Cas- sad that slavery is
great social and political evil the Richmond Enquirer
declares The has severed the last cord which bound
him 10 the democracy of the South Benceiorh he must
rank with Benton and Van Buren, one who has iusued
our feelings and betrayed our confidence Pray in what
rank does the Richmond Enquirer place Washington and
Jefferson s,, Madison and Monroe and Jackson and Clay
With Benton ana Van Buren, They all the fathers of the
republic hare said tb Soey gEea social and political
erH Did hey sever the cord that bound them to tie de-
mocracy Of the South when they declared that slavery is
great social and political evil Did hey insult your feel
ines and betray your confidence? Were Mey-every
OF that 4srious lineguilty of weak attempt to
two masters reconcile devotion TO the constitution with
10 ubolitiOnisu?H