Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-12-13
Misfellaneous.
Dinner 10 General Cas-. IN Par,

Dinner TO General Cass ia Paris.
The Americans in Paris, the of Gen. Cas- depar.
ure from that city, dinner testimony of their
respect his personal official conduct The venerable
American Consul Hae X. G.. Bcasey presided assist
ed by ~ Miles, j. b. Green and F. P. Corbn, as Vice
Presidents.
The number present between so and 90-as many
n room in Paris could contain.
The first Toast the President OF the L. States
The second the King of the French
The third was proceeded by very high euogium upon
Gen. Cas-, and was:
Honour lustrious fellow.citizen and happv re-
turn 10 grateful country Drank with great and
with three times three
Gen'l CAss and said in reply
than you Mr. President for the kind sentiments YOU
nave been pleased express towards me- and thank my
citizens, whose organ YOU have bee for the
gulshed proof of their esteem, which their rd
TINS occasion furnish me- Ii Is testimonial, which shall
cherish, of the pOudesi incidents of life of olS,
forty years devoted the public service and checauered bv
many viciSsudes in peace and in war This is il closn,
scene, and now pass what remains to me of tms
in comparative obscury am well aware that during my
career have accomplished little deserve the consideration
o. my countrymen at home, the estimate Won have been
pleased ion OF my services abroad can claim only the
merit Of good intentions, and that fortunately Is yre so
often found among public men, render its absence
signal cause of reprOach, while possession is but the
exercise OF aduty Events 10 which you have Just alluded
called upon me recently interpose in the name of or
country by decisive measure, prevent the
oil maritime preenson which would have been as niur
4 was
our h"or IN It's enunciauon TINS attempt gain the do
minon Of the seas has failed, every similar etteInpt will
rust hereafter fail An Amercanrepresen encoun
ers little hazard in asserting the Just claims of his country
lie Will ind aresponse, as have done, hearts of his
countymen, and reward in their APPRECIATION which 90
yernment can neither give take away.
We, who have put the between ourselves and our
native land can m opinion best appreciate the blessings
which Providence has conferred upon our beloved country
Whout seeking to decry the institutions of the old world
or to describe its condition than il is no American
D ~ the
elements Of human happiness, which our confederaicd Re
public presents over the Eastern Hemisphere. He who
leaves our shores Tor residence abroad and does return
wiser and better citizen, will have looked upon life with
as little wisdom as profit The questions social and poll
uca which agate these large ana densey settled regpns
are questions oi lie and DEATH Antagonist principles are
m contact, liable at every moment break into fierce ne
ton, and which IN their operation may and probably will
affect the whole frame OF society. Changes may come
when can only be produced by desperate struggles between
those who mold and those who seek the power; between
those who have much and those who have nohno bateen
want and misery striving for existence, and wealth and
power STRIVING tor defence Happily for rs. this state Of
things Is unknown country. We are indeed divided
INTO pare and this, perhaps, Is of the conditions of
the preservation of freedom. But have no organic dis
functions by which classes created and maintained; we
nave no physical misery nor political oppression array one
portion of the community against another and 10 teach II
20 seek relief in the destruction Of existing institutions
Our questions indeed debated with zeal which prove
that all are IN earnest and that they result from honest diff
icrcnces OF opinion respecting persons and principles and
sometimes, unfortunately, with bitterness which calm ma
uousin may dcporc But after ALL they pass away, eav.
ing unnamed the institutions of the country, and exhibiting
but m holder relief, the strength ct our political systsm and
the wisdom and energy Of public opinion. And il Is good
while we are here together in these old regions rank and
distinction, TO recall one OF the beautiful traits I'M our
whole system OF government, OF which am myself pra
teal illustration, and that Is the perfect equality which is
the very foundation of our COnstutonsn equality which
opens all the avenues Of advancement 20 the whole com
munity aud leaves failure to the exeron Of
each That this principle should be dear To me YOU will at
once believe, when tell you, that II now between forty
and fifty ycars since crossed the mountains on foot with
out patronage and without powerful family connection
Young adyenuror in that region then 50 wild and SOLITARY
now tccinng with life and liberty And whatever services
have been able orender and with whatever rewards these
have been greatly ovcrpad, owe all this hic-gving
principle; 20 tins great test and preservation Of republican
Institutions. STILL my friends there obviously one want
IN our countyi lesson be learned, which would do
more toyn'e and TO render happy, than any measure