Kansas weekly herald., 1854-10-20
The Richmond -EasQaEia-ea' and
General C0SS.

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Gen. Ctss had addressed the democratic
state convention OF Michigan, and that he
upheld the true doctrines of democracy, and
enforced them with all his great ability
| At the same time we expressed our anxl-
I ETY. to see full report of this speech. We
have desired this not only because we
knew that it would exert an extensive in
fuence on the public mind, but because we
have seen his remarks, as reported, made
the subject of severe criticism by the Rich
mond Enquirer. We felt satisfied that the
structures of that Journal were not justified
by anything said by Gen. Cass, and we did
not doubt that the publication of the speech
would furnish the most complete refutation
of the attack made upon him. The De-
troit Free Press replies to the Enquirer with
quite as much severity as characterized the
attack. We regret that two democratic jour-
nails occupying such high positions should
be engaged in, so unpleasant controversy.
In the course of his remarks, the editor of
the Free Press gives the substance of Gen.
Cass's. speech as follows -
ssGen. Cass had the temerity, in his re-
marks before the state convention, to say
that he did not regard slavery with favor
that he was thankful that he lived In free
state-that it was not strange that northern
sentiment was opposed to slayery-that the,
Nebraska-Kansas act did not open those
territories to slavery, but left the people
thereof at liberty to establish it or reject it,
as they saw fit, &C., &c. He said, in eff
feet, at the. same time, that it was the duty
of the people of the north to perform all their
obligations to the people of the south In re-
Ill,
that the people of every state in the Union
could establish or abolish at their pleasure
without asking the assent of congress or of
any other state. He, In short, took the
same view of the whole subject that he has
time and again taken In the senate-the
view that every enlightened statesman and
every sensible man in the Union takes"
In the remarks of General Cass on the
subject of slavery we recognise the senti-
ments entertained by all northern men,
AS; is well remarked by the Free Press, the
sentiments of General Cass are those en-
tertained by Douglas, Toucey, Bright and
Dodge and If General Cass is to be de-
nouneed for their utterance, then are they,
too. subject to the same structures. Such
course amounts to a Reputation of all north
ern men as unsound and unreliable on the
slavery question. Such is not the southern
conservative sentiment. The south wants
northern men to stand by its institutions as
they are guaranteed and protected by the
constitutions. This General Cass did III the
very speech so severely criticised. Wheth--
er he looks with favor or disfavor on sla-
very is a matter of minor moment to south =
ern men so long as he lends the weight or
his great name to the maintenance Of their
constitutional rights againstthe aggressions
and assaults of abolitionism. He has been.
the great champion of the doctrine of nom
intervention, which the south claimed as its
peculiar position Instead of censure he
has entitled himself to the gratitude Of ALI
national men, whether atthe north or the
south. Whether he is repaid for his pa
triotic services with censufe or gratitude, he
will not falter or stop short in has devotion
to that Union whose .permanency he SO
heartily seeks to secure Washingtoss Us.-