Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-04-20
Democratic Duplicity.

Il
tween Messrs. Speed and Garland at Dudley Hall.
the former alluded to the famous Nicholson letter
Of Gen. Cass in the of lS4s, and to the diff
ferent constructions that were put upon it, North
and South At the North, where tho doctrine Of
Squatter Sovereignty is popular, the letter was
rightlp construed rs approving the idea. At the
South, where it was unpopular, 1T was strenuous
" denied that such an Interpretation could BIO put
upon it. Fortunately, this game of duplcity did
not win. After the defeat of Gen. Cass, and when
he had no longer anything to gain by concealing
his real sentiments, he declared in the Senate that
any man twas q fool" who did not understand
the Nicholson lettei as endorsing and sustaining
the doctrine Of Squatter Sovereignty. Thus, old
Cass did not hesitate to stgmatise every of his
Southern Supporters under the broad and COM
prehonsive title Of "iools," A complimentary de-
signation truly! Yct we do not recollcct that
any of tho Southern Democracy SO far resented this
indignity when Gen Cass was appointed Secretary
OF State under Buchanan. US to utter a single word
Of protest or objection!
Bot, among others Of the Southern Democracy
who could not be deceived by the old Generals
duplicity, was Col. Jefferson Davis Of Mississippi.
Davis steadily refused To support tho Democratic
ticket in that canvass. Gen. Cass couldn't fool
him. He saw Squatter Sovereignty sticking out
Of the Nicholson letter. and--unlike the rest of
his Democratic compatriots-- was honest enough
to come out and proclaim it.
Recently. in debate in the Senate. this old
question was revived and certain explanations
were made by Senator Davis. aud Ex-senator Clay
of Alabama. We subjoin extract from this de-
bate, a. we'll to show that the Wing construe-
ton Of the Nicholson letter correct ~ TO give
a clue to the probable favor with which Mr.. Doug
las peculiar sentiments upon this subject will BIO
received in the South:
Mr. DAVIS. did not misunderstood the Sena-
tor, and am glad he has inierposed if was like
" TO make others misunderstood him. That is
the exact point ! meet The candidate of the
Democratic party had written letter long and cl-
oquent. Men differed as to its construction. put
certain construction upon it. which was, that he
admitted the power in the inhabitants of Terri
tory to decide the question of the right of anoth
or emigrating to take slaves there or not
That construction ,cds denied. My political
friends held it to be heresy on my part, to be-
lieve that that was ever meant. One who claimed to
have authority to speak, gave different construc-
tion and the State Of Mississippi voted under the
when the Territory became State it had authori-
ty to decide that question and even with that
constant assertion by authority, the doubt that
hung upon the minds Of the people of Mississippi,
az to whether it was correct not, reduced the
vote from thousands to hundreds lfit had been
known that the venerable candidate then of the
Democratic party, and now secretary Of State,
held the opinion he so frankly avowed at II subse-
quent period, on the floor of the Senate tell you,
sir. addressing Mr.. Douglas, he roaid hare had
no more chance TO get the ro,e Of Mississippi than
you, cih your opinions could hare to-day. 1t was
the same case in Alabama. where the majority
sunk from thousands to hundreds, because Of the
opinion entertained. II ras The constant assertion
that that Was not the opinion Of the candidate.
Mr.. CLAY. If my friend will permit me, | will
state that Mr.. Yancy. for constituting that letter
as the Senator from Mississippi says he did. was
elected from the party, or put himself outside of
the party. He did not act with the party for
years Afterwards, because he assailed in every
Democratic paper in tho State as misreprescnting
General Cass' views.
ma. DAVIS. That is very much my experience
but for the kindness which the people of Missssip
pi always showered upon me, all undeseryed ms it
was, suppose should have been read out of the
Democratic party for asserting that that was tho
creed of their own candidate. performed what |
considered duty to my constituents.when told
them what my belief was. They thought it more
than xmkimd that should doubt The constant asscr-
they considered an ofense and voted for the cand-
date, reduced as have stated in the majority, be-
cause Of the doubt that hung over them.