The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-06-10
III From the Warrington Union.
! S K EFT CHI b. i,
rHE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES
f 1.5G GENERAL III / Lewis Il C,ASSS.. ,ss. :.

InE AlrE AMI fUbLlC SEhVlCES
| Jaa GENERAL LEWIS CASS. sa,.
a LEWIS CAss was born at Exeter,
in New Hampshire, on the 9th day Of
October, 1882. His father, Major JON
athan Cass, was a soldier OF the revo-
luton, who Unlisted as aprivate the day
after the battle of lexington. He
served id the army till the close of the
war, and was in all the important bat.
ties in the Eastern and Middle States,
where he was distinguished for his valor
and good conduct, and attained the rank
OF Captain. He was afterwards a Ma
jor. in Wnyne's army, and died at an
advanced age, after life Of usefulness
and honor, at his residence, near Dres.
den, in Muskingum county Ohio. His
son, Lewis Cass, the subject of this
biography, emigrated, at the age Of
seventeen, to the then northwest terri
tory, and settled first at Marietta, in the
county of Washington. He was thus,
as he was recently called by the con-
vention of Ohio, one Of the "early pion-
eers' of that immense western region,
which has already risen to such a mag
nitude in our own days, and is destined
TO attain one SO much greater hereafter.
The country north Of the Ohio then con-
tanned one territory and about twenty
thousand people. r.a.as..s.7. ,5..,s
| Mr.. Cass bore his full share in the
tolls, priva,ions. and dangers to which
the defence of new country, and its
conversion from a primitive forest to
the happy abodes Of civilized men, are
necessarily exposed. He read law at
Marietta, and was admitted to the bar
before the close Of the territorial gov
ernment. He commenced the prac-
tice, and, as was the custom then, visit
ed the courts in a large district Of coun-
ltry, travelling on horse back, and en-
countering many difficulties unknown
TO the bar at the present day. b,F5! b.
| In 1906, he was elected member OF
the Legislature Of Ohio, and during the
session he took his part in the business
Of the day. He drafted the law which
arrested the trai,orous designs of Burr,
and introduced an address to Mr.. Jet
ferson, which was unanimously adopt
ed, expressing the attachment Of the
people OF Ohio to the Constitution Of
the United States, and their confidence
| in that ilustrious man. In March,
1907, he was appointed, By Mr.. Jeffer-
son, Marshal of Ohio. In the execu-
ton OF the duties of that Office, in the
business ofhis profession, and in the oc-
cupation of a farm in Muskingum coun-
lty, where he resided, he passed his time
until 1919. Then our difficulties with
England assumed po.tentous aspect.
Her multiplied aggressions left us no
recourse but war; and the statesmen
of the day prepared for it with firm
ness. AS one Of the preparatory ar
rangements, it was determined to march
considerable force to- the northwestern
frontier, to be ready for offensive or de-
fensive measures, as circumstances
might render it necessary. The COM
mand was given to General Hull; and
a regiment ofregular troops which had
fought with credit at Tippecanoe, was
assigned HIM. To this were to be add
ed three regiments of Ohio volunteers.
As soon as this. demand upon their pa
triotism was known. the citizens of that
State hastened to the call Of their Icoun-
try, and the force was raised without
delay or difficulty. Mr.. Cass was a.
mong the volunteers, and was elected
to the command of the third regiment.
He proceeded Immediately with his re-
giment to Dayton, where the army was
concentrated, and whence it commence
ed its march.fo Detroit. The country
was aitrackless forest, and much of it
was low and wet. Great difficulties
were interposed to the advance Of the
troops by the streams and marshes, and
by the necessity of cutting q road.---
But these were overcome with the
usual good will and perseverance, Of the
American soldiers. The armyreached
Detroit on the 4th of July, 1919. s6ea
Official information that war would
be declared, overlook them in the will,
derness; but the declaration itself was
not received until they reached Detroit.
Col. C ass was perhaps more urgent for
an invasion Of Canada than any officer
in Hull's army. He was decidedly in
favor Of making an early and decisiueI
movement, before the British should be
prepared for the invasion. We con-.
ceive it to be no disparagement to any
one to saythat he.was the master-spirit
ofthut army until the affair at The Ca
nards; alter which, tits known, he dis
approved of every step otaken by the
commanding general There can now
be no doubt that Hull's army never
would have entered Canada but for the
persuasions Of Coll Cass. soSos anxious