New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-12
Diuper 10 Gen. Casa.

We have already noticed the arrival of Gen.
Cass in the United States, after most successful
and useful mission Prior to his departure splen-
did public dinner was given to him in Paris by hs
countrymen. His reply to complimentary toasi
contains many interesting points in relation to
the past well as future, that submit it with
great pleasure.
General CAss rose and said thank you, Mr..
President, for the TOO kind sentiments you have
been pleased to express towards me; and THINK
my fellow citizens whose organ you have been, ia'
the distinguished proof OF their esteem which
their presence and the occasion furnish me. II ls
q testimonial which shall cherish one OF the
proudest incidents of life of almost forty year.
devoted to the public service, and cheqnered by
viscissitudes in peace and This is us closing
scene; and now return, TO pass what remains TO
ms of time in comparative obscurty am well
aware that during my career / have accomplished
little to deserve the consideration of my country
men at hems, or the estimate you have been pleased
to form of my services abroad. can claim onl.
the merit of good intentions, and that Fortunately
is virtue SO often found among our public men,
as to render absence signal cause OF reproach,
while its profession is but the exercise of duty
Events 70 which you have just alluded, called
upon me recently to inerpose in the name OF our
country by decisive measure, to prevent the es-
adjustment of maritime pretensioa, which would
have been as injurious to our interests in its exc
cution as i, was insulting to our honor in its enun
citation. This attempt to gain the dominion %
the has failed, every attempt will, trust,
hereafter fail. An American representative en-
counters little hazard in asserting the just claims
of hs couRsry. He will find response, as have
done, in the hearts OF his countrymen, and re-
o..A ,bo
neither give nor take away. We who have pu,
the ocean between ourselves and our native land
can, in my opinion, best appreciate the blessings
which Providence has conferre upon our beloved
country. Without seeking to decry the institu-
lions OF the old world describe its condition a
worse than it is, no American can fail TO be- struck
by the immense superiority, in all the elements OF
humnn happiness which our confedereted Republic
presents over the eastern hemisphere. He who
leaves our shores for residence abroad, and does
NOT return wiser and better citizen, will have
!, locked upon life with as little wisdom as profit.
! ne questions, social and political, which agi-
tale these long and densely populated regions, aie
qsesscns OF life and death. Antagonist principles
are II contact, liable at any moment to break into
-, hsTcs aIaon' and which In their operation nay
~. Ihanses may Come, which can only be pro
daced by desperate struggles between those who
have much and those who have nothins-he,wse,
want and misery striving for existence, and wealth
and power striving tor defence. Happily for us,
Il this state of things is unknown in our country
j We are indeed divided into parties and ,his ner.
haps, is one Of the conditions of the preseryat
of freedom. But we have organic destrac,ons
-bywhich classes are created and maintained We
have no physical misery, nor political oppression
to array ons portion of the community agaiss
another, and to tesch it TO seek relief in the des
,rucsion of existing institutions. Oar questions
indeed, are debated with zeal which proves tina
all in earnest, and that they result from hoses
differences oforinioa respecting persons and ptn-
: ciplss and sometimes. unfortunately, with biz
ierness which calm patriotism may we'll deplore.
But after all, they pass away, leaving unharmec