Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-12-02
SOMETHING YET TO BE SETTLED.

In the speech of Gen CAss, lately published,
there structures upon the course of some
of the Southern presses, and the Charleston Mer-
curry takes up the pen to combat ga few points
in the speech. In the first place, it utterly repu-
dates the idea that slavery possesses no "motive
power" and can only go by virtue of special legis
lation into the Territories 1t will not admit that
slavery in the United States is to be judged by de-
cisions based upon the common law of England. Sla-
very exists Ghe Mercury contends) in this country
under circumstances altogether peculiar and anoma
lous, to which such decisions can have no applica
ton. 1t is not forbidden but recognised in the
Constitution of the United States.
The Mercury scouts the idea of q municipal law
being necessary before slavery can enter the Terri
tories as inconsistent with the equality and sover-
eighty of the States. There can be no sovereignty
or equality with discrimination against the slave
States. As the Democracy therefore, have still a
tangled question to decide among themselves be-
fore they can plead a nationality beyond that of
the Wings, it may be but just and proper that the
Mercury be allowed to state its own views in its
own language so that the Democracy of the North
may read and understand the matter under consid-
GRAFTON.
| FROM THE CHARLESTON MERCURY.
fthe South for moment accepts such doctrine she
abandons the vital idea Of Democratic faith and the very
essence of her political rights The proposition advanced
by Gen. Cass is novelty in itself but it is fact full
of significance when it is heralded as good Democratic
doctrine by the leader Of that party in the West
shows how much Democratic faith has swerved from its
old line at the North and what depths Of humiliation
concession, and recreancy the champions stoop
appease the cry Of abolition; that before its fearful
swell the most sacred principles must fall,
glorious in its conception and noble in its history
the equality and sovereignty Of the States. And, more
than ALL treveals the South the startling fact that her
allies at the North, long and often weakened by their
own submission, and overwhelmed by the tempest,
compelled to white down still her diminished
rights and to abandon her to her fate 1t is another OF
the many and bitter experiences written in the history
of the thirty years, all illustrating memorable
truth, that people who shrink from the bold mainte
of their have faithful allies
they are indeed unworthy Of them.
But Gen.. Cass, in his zeal on this subject makes q
statement which will no doubt astonish the Southern
members who voted for the Nebraska bill. He says
" Every man. and the South almost as one man, voted
for them. Every who voted to give to those Terrific
res the power legsate slavery, introduce
IL pleasure knew that he was
ing the Legislatures Of these Territories who would
not consider themselves prohibited by the Constitution
authority which would be exercised to the letter. and
that the fate Of slavery institution in the country
would depend on their action rather woud depend on
as introduction 6y them, rout such Introduction
excluded By The absence Of any local lar maintaining IT,
This is certainly feature in the case. What /!
Southern sustain bill, believing and knowing that
by it they thus sacrificing the South forever shut
ting slavery out of Kansas and Nebraska and placing
upon our front the stamp Of inequality and degradation
Is this the BILL this the principle, which united the
South in what they believed fair and constitutional but
which, according to Gen. Cass is the vest swindle
is not possible that Southern could have acted with
such pcrfdy or imbecilty. They never dreamed that
slavery, under this BILL could not enter Nebraska or
Kansas until admitted by Frceso squatters but they
believed that these Territories be in what they
were proclaimed taJula rasa" upon which the insitu
tons and habits of every section Of the country might
freely impress themselves Gen. Cass in making the above
statement has utterly lsfed the position Of the South
They never did and unless ready at give up the
cause of right and honor, WILL accept such
struction 1t has been wrung from this bill appease
the fury of fanacism by regardless Of truth
wards the opinions of Southern members justice to
| the South.