"
These extracts show that in 1846 General Cass was for the proviso at
once; that in March, 1847, he was still for it, but not just then; and
that in December, 1847, he was against it altogether. This is a true
index to the whole man. When the question was raised in 1846, he was in a
blustering hurry to take ground for it. He sought to be in advance, and
to avoid the uninteresting position of a mere follower; but soon he began
to see glimpses of the great Democratic ox-goad waving in his face, and
to hear indistinctly a voice saying, "Back! Back, sir! Back a little!" He
shakes his head, and bats his eyes, and blunders back to his position of
March, 1847; but still the goad waves, and the voice grows more distinct
and sharper still, "Back, sir! Back, I say! Further back!"--and back he
goes to the position of December, 1847, at which the goad is still, and
the voice soothingly says, "So! Stand at that!"
Have no fears, gentlemen, of your candidate. He exactly suits you, and we
congratulate you upon it. However much you may be distressed about our
candidate, you have all cause to be contented and happy with your own. If
elected, he may not maintain all or even any of his positions previously
taken; but he will be sure to do whatever the party exigency for the time
being may require; and that is precisely what you want.
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