The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-16

gallant Dut bloody defence; ana n
whole family had been murdered and
scalped, on the skirts of the village.
Having organized the inhabitants in the
best manner, for their own defence,
their being no garrison there at the
time, he descended the Mississippi to
st. Louis, where the means of defence
were to be obtained, and at his sugges-
ton a large detachment of United
States troops was moved up the river,
IN time to prevent further bloodshed.
In the mean time, Governor Cass re-
turned to the bay, in the same canoe,
by the way Of the illinois and Lake
Michigan, having made a circuit of
about eighteen hundred miles with un-
precedented rapidty. His celebrity OF
movement, and the alacrity with which
the United States troops seconded his
call, pro badly averted a war that might
have embraced the whole northwest
frontier. A negotiation followed, which
restored tranquility. The apparent
violence offered to him by the Indian
on the Wisconsin, is the only instance
Of that nature which had occurred dur
ing his long and intimate intercourse
with the Indians.
In 1928, another treaty was held by
him at Green Bay; and another at St.
Joseph's, by which cession was pro-
cured for Indiana. In these various
treaties, Governor Cass had been in
strumental in acquiring for the United
States, and rescuing from the wilder
ness, for the great agricultural purpos-
es Of the country, many millions OF
acres of land; and in 4 manner which
ought TO leave no consciousness on his
mind, that he has aggravated the lot Of
a single tribe OF Indians.
The first council of Michigan met in
1929. This body relieved the govern
or and judges Of their Legislative duties,
and gave the government Of the terri
tory more republican form. Govern
or Cass' message to the several coun-
ellis, convened under his administration,
were always written in chaste and
dignifed style; indeed, all the public
documents that came from his pen,
while governor Of the territory, may
be regarded as good specimens of ex-
ecutive composition, and exhibit a high
ly cultivated literary taste. But his lit
erary reputation rests on a broader and
more appropriate basis than his gubern-
atorial writings.
Some time in the year 1925, John
Dunn Hunters narrative appeared,
which, at the time, attracted much at
tention. Governor Cass. in the course
of his tours through the West, had sat-
Sfed himself that this work was an i'm
posture. In determining to expose it
10 the world, his mind was led to dwell
on the ample subject OF Indian charac-
ter. language, and condition, and be
wrote the article which appeared IN the
tiftieth number Of the North American
Review. The subject was full of IN
terest, and written in style uncom-
monty earnest and eloquent; and the
public was gratified 10 find that Il theme,
SO interesting and important, had en-
gagged the attention of so cultivated and
liberal mind. Another article Of his,
presenting the Aborigines under new
aspects, appeared in the ftty-fiflh num-
ber Of the same periodical. This ar
ticle, which was altogether Of a hlstor-
ical and statistical character, attracted
equal attention with its precursor.
Some time in 1928, historical soci-
ETY. was formed in Michigan, of which
Governor Cass was elected the presi-
dent. He delivered the first address
before it IN 1929. This address, en-
bodving the early history of Michigan,
brings it down to the period when the
United States came into possession Of
it. Its publication excited a spirit of
research and inquiry, which has already
produced the most beneficial results.
In 1880, Governor Cass was invited
by the alumni Of Hamilton college, New
York, to deliver an address at their an
niVersary meeting. lie accepted the
invitation. and in the address which he
delivered, displayed an aflluence Of
reading and reflection which proved his
'habtual acquaintance with most OF the
departments Of human knowledge
From that college he subsequently re-
ceIved the honorary degree Of l.. l.. ID.
He had previously been admitted an
honorary member Of the American PHI
losophical Society, IN Philadelphia; of
the New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and
Indiana Historical Societies; of the
American Antiquarian Society; and the
Columbian Institute.
In July, 1881, having been appoint
ed Secretary of War by President Jack
son, Governor Cass resigned his office
as Governor of the territory. after hav-