Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-01-18
From IA. Sasqush0no Register.
LEWIS CASS. SECRETARY OF The
WAR DEPARTMENT..

WAR DEPARIMENi.
Amopy the few distinguished individuals OF the
naiiun, who have escaped the missiles OF party
during the recent political conflict, the present
Secretary Of War stands conspicuous. his orii'
liant aud commanding taents-his unspotteu IN
tegrity aud eminent national services, al, com
bincd, seemed TO have raised for hin shield oil
defence, alike potent against the bitterness OF
par aud The reckless spirit Of rivalry and amb :
tiun. Indeed. a very respectable portion oil the
party opposed to the administration OF which he
is an ornament. have been forced publicly to con-
cee hat their opposition extend, not to him. This
high tribute To talents aud public virtue IS NTH
present instance amply deserved; as a hasty anu
brief recurrence To some distinguishing events IN
his past life may serve 10 illustrate.
Gov Cass is empha,ically a SELF made man;
he was born, we believe, m the State of New
Hampshire, but emigraed soon after completing
his education, to the then mart OF youthful en-
terprze aud ambition, the new State OF Ohio
Here, tor several years, he pursued with emil
nent success and marked ability. the profession
Of the Law; and gave early Presase of those pow
ers Of mind which eventually raised him to his
present elevated position in the public view.
rs profound jurist and accomplished statesman
The same genius and industry, readily ena-
blrd him TO extend his intellectual grasp to those
principles the pclicv. aud the rights of nations.
After filling several important stations 10 which
~ was called b, The peuple Of Ohio and by the
G neral government, at the declaration OF war
In 1912, ne enrolled himself under the banner O
h,- country. and received ColOnel's co;"mi,-
son in the North Western army under General
Hpl. In view of their comparative results IN
the sum of human happiness. the CIVIC glory OF
The statesman is much to be preferred to the
crimson fame Of the warrior; but those brave spl-
rirs Who like Gov. Cass, a, the period to which
We have referred. voluntarily relinquished home
aud ITS endearments, the pursuit OF wealth and
it. cnncomitant blessings, o suH' Rand chance
IT, bleed i'm defence Ut their insuled country, de-
lserye-richly deserve the honor and everlasting
gratitude Of that country, and all its well'wish.
CTS.
From the period Of his entering the army to
the present. the career OF Gov. Cass has BEEN
on Of uncommon usefulness aud celebrity lie
it was, though a subordinate officer, who struck
the first bio,cs against the agsressors Of his
try, and with the troops under his command.
achieved the first Ut that glorious series Of tri-
umphs leo nobly crowned by Gen. Jackson at
New Orleans.) which shed new lustre upon the
American character, and elevated our country IN
the eyes Of the world. Had his counsels been
adhered TO, his spirit predomnated, the Amer,-
can people never would have had occasion to
blush at the disgraceful surrender at Detroit
Tue brave aud honorable part which he after.
wards bore in the struggle, upon the frontiers and
especially in the defeat Of General Proctor and
Tecumseh at the river Thames, are matters Of
history and need not be repea ~ here.
HI, subsequent appointment as Governor OF
Nj, hiyau, though far below his intrinsic deserts,
vas most fortunate for that territory Under hrs
julic,ous and efcirnt administration. il has risen
To state OF unexampled prosperity. and is so"n
tn take its place as a sovereign member OF the
L n,on. In the selection of Governor Cass to
ii the important place IN his cabinet Of Secreta.
~ 81 the War Department. President Jackson
has afforded another proof OF that dlscernment
and discretiun which his enemies have uniformly
all, ted TO denv him.
Rigid and punctual in his business habits. plain
and aHabie IN his manners. with powers Of mind
which grasp as il were by intuition, every sub
Jet To which they are applied. united to various
and extensive requirements, which stamp him as
the ripe scholar. Lewis Cass 1--WE disparage no
one IN saying ~ has no superior in the present
able cabinet, and few, it any, in the nation; and
a. he IS vet IN the prime Of his life and useful
ness, we feel that we hazard nothing in the de-
claration, that the measure Of his fame is not yet
full.
.On the 18th July. 1912. Col. Cass. with
detachment of two hundred and eighty men, at
tackled with great bravery, the advanced posts
Of ;he British army. near Maiden, and succeeded
in driving them back upon the main body. This,
we believe, was the first blow struck against the