The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-23
The martars Casr---Aaother letter frosl
Gen. CHss---Sound Views.

eeh. shss-~-SOuuu StsWs.
. We recently published n letter from
General CAss in reply 10 one from Mr. A.
HAnr. president Of Hebrew congregation
IN Philadelphia. asking our Government TO
interfere in behalf OF the MoarAnA boy.
Mr. IIanr subsequently, wrote another let
ter 10 Gen. CAss calling bis attention 10 the
action OF our Government in l840, during
Mr.. VAN BUREs's administration, In rcla.
ton 10 the crueties 10 the Jews In Damns
Gus To this second letter Of Mr.. IlAnr
General CAss responds that he can find no
reason TO change tho views he communi.
ted IN hia frat letter, which wsre 10 the
effect that the abduction oi the MonrAnA
boy took place within the territories Of 40
Independent power, and without affecting
the rights Of any American ctizrn. Under
such circumstances, il was the settled policy
OF the United States 10 abstain from oil in,
reference, as they expect other nations to
abstain from oil interference in the internal
concerns Of this country, General CAs,, 10
response, further says:
10 this additional letter, which you have
Addressed 70 me. you introduce on extract Of
a letter from this Department, dated Au-
gust l4tb, ls40, W the American Consul at
Cairo, spanking in jus, terms Of reprehen-
sion Of the atroci0us calumnics, which the
Jews of Damascus had been then subjected
TO, and OF the terrible craclties which had
been inflicted upon them. And considering
this ~ case Of Intervention and ns proof
that no such sgitled policy AZ that indicated
bad been adopted by the United States. you
consider also that I" tbe public support and
Influence by the good Offices of our Govern
men' was consistently asked lor suppfcs.
sion of such wrongs 10 humanity ns we're the
occasion Of my iormer note, &c' ] have
no remarks TO make respecting the proceed
ings oi the government 10 this case at Da.
mascus, which was marked by the most cal
upDious representations Of the Jewish peo.
pie, and In which excrutistipg tortures wert
Inflicted. and many lives sacrificed But
think II proper 10 observe that this single
action. on the part Of the government. can
scarcely be said 10 change that character Of
national reserve which ! attribute 10 our
foreign policy. Those principles Of our in-
ternal intercourse may well be- said N be ~.
iabllsbod, which, during the seventy years
Of our national existence, sbd In q stirring
period. sbouDding with great events, every
where exciting corresponding interest, have
ben adhered " with that steadinsss oi
purpose which. almost without exception.
has marked the conduct Of our government
while dealing With these subjects.
There ar. cruelts and ou,faga of such =
revolving nature that IL Ia natural, laudable
indeed, that when they occar they should
meet with general condemnation. Bot this
duty TO outraged humanity should be left
U the ASTON oi individuals and the expres-
sion of public opinion ior il is maniie,t
that IL our government assumes tbe power
10 Judge and ceusure the proceedings Of an
other. or The Law II recogniz~ 10 csss
which do no, effect their own interests or
the rights of their citizsn. the intercourse
Of nations will soon become q system Of
criminAiion and rcerimiDstlOn hostile 10
friendly communication ior the principle
Of in,'rirencs being once admitted its mp
piication may b. indefinitely extended. de-
pending fos i,s exercise on The opinion
which ssch country may form Of the civil
policy of another. and oi ,s practical oper.
alton. There 10 % people who you'd ~
,,,L. 18th ~xo~~ ~.,.s.x,,y surh totevsncsidlinv