The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-10-20
TIL JEFFERSON
NOT ORTHODOX.

The poor old Michigan War horse Of the
Democratic party, Notwithstanding his unre-
mit,ed efforts to make himself acceptable TO
the South, meets with cruel repulse, and
finds the cold shoulder turned to him by those
from whom he ought to receive assistance in
this hour Of his need. The Richmond Enqulr-
or the organ of that portion o! the Southern
Democracy, whose political sentiments are
not too strongly individualized to have an
organ, is down upon the Sick Man. for
his recent speech to the Michigan Demo.
cratic Convention. Southern Democracy
has progressed wonderfully in few months
and General Cass is unfortunately too much
Of an old Fogy to keep pace with its progress.
He was so indiscreet as to "thank God he
lived in Free State" and the enormous
hcterodoxy of the remark, coming to the
knowledge Of the Richmond Enquirer, draws
down on him a bitter rebuke, and almost an
decentralization from the Democratic party.
To be Democrat OF the orthodox school,
nova days, II is not sufficient that q man
should exhibit the loadyism Of the past four
years. He must take step or two in ad.
vance, swear that Slavery is blessed Of God
that the South is The country, and argue
for the establishment Of the Slave trade.
For General Cass is slow TO perceive this ne
cessity Of the times, and failing in his
allegiance, is thus rebuked and repudia-
ted by the Richmond organ ofDemocra-
cys y |'r. ~
" In the exposition Of his views Of slavery
rs affected by the Nebraska bill, General Cass
is reported to have used the following Ian
guage 1T was true the northern sentiment
was opposed to slavery-it was natural that
il should be- He was opposed toit. and had
said in the Senate that it was political evil
and q great many other things to the dis
pleasure OF the South, and would stick to /,
under all circumstances &c. lie thanked
God that he lived in free State There
was no reason why people in the territories
should not govern themselves, make their
own local laws, and define the character OF
their institutions. He maintained that the
Nebraska bill did not open Kansas and Ne
braska TO slayery-ifit did he would yield
all argument but slavery could not 60
there unless the people themselves wanted
it, a clause introduced by his colleague
had cut OF all claims to establish slavery IN
der the operation Of The old law when the
territory was acquired by the United States.
Slavery is not recognized in the territories,
and Is only subject to local laws,-evcry man
there is fIce--no slave, no master is rec
ogni.ed until the people voted it. Upper
yerted human feeling Is opposed to slavery
&c, Re, Such is the Interpretation which
General Cass gives Michigan audience Of
the spiri. and effect Of tho Nebraska BILL.
and such tho exposition OF his own pr,n'
ciples and feelings in regard to slavery. The
same iniirnity OF nature which has so often
betrayed the veteran politician into ridiculous
and deplurable bluuders. caused him here
TO abandon the high ground which he Is
thought to occupy at the South and to
cringe TO the insolent spirit Of northern
abolitionism. General Cass might have
moderated his language to suit the temper
of his constituents, but il was scarcely al.
lowable in him to sacrifice his principles
even TO The necessities OF his position. At
any rate, he cannot expect the Soath to rec
ollect only the brave words which he uttered
in Washington, and to take for naught the
treacherous recantation at Detroit. 1t the
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. Henceforth he must rank with
Benton and Van Buren,, as ono who has IN
suited our feelings and betrayed our comb