Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-06-09
IConclnded from LIST page.l

ihgton."
Il is not a little curious, in reading over the
napers relating to this TRANSACTION, 10 see now
some of the party journals OF the day IN the
limited States censured the minister for his in
terferance in foreign concerns; and foretoid'
very confidently, that he would be rebuked by
the French government. And the LONDON
Times, of May 16, 1912, states, with apPan'
ent exultation, that the venerable patr,9l' VIZ
has just been called from among US. WI Gu ~
ams,) said in Congress that he Iesre''eo 0o"
Cass
Should have so completely torgolten Inc
wholesome rules of the founders VI MS oGun
trI, &c ~ interfere, without instructions from
his Government, in delicate negotiation De-
tween the great powers OF EUROPE
This dedicate negotiation" directly lnvoI-
,,od one of the most precious rights OF the u
nited States-that of sailing the ocean undis-
tnrbed and in peace. To prevent the con-
summation of such project was not to inter-
fere with other nations, but 10 prevent other
nations from interfering with us. AS to the
French government, it took no such view of
the matter The answer of M. Guizot to Gen.
Cass was in a very good spirit. and exhibited
the best feeling TO the United States. He sta
ted that the treaty had not been ratified, and
disavowed all designs of doing anything what
ever unfriendly to the United States
On the 18th of September following this
transaction, the news of the ratification OF the
Ashburton treaty reached Paris, and Governor
Cass Immediately resigned, His reasons for
so doing we gather from the following ex-
tracts Of letters to Mr.. Webster:
"It is unnecessary 10 push these considera-
tons further and in carrying them thus far,
| have found the task an unpleasant one
Nothing but Justice to myself could have in
duced me to do it. | could not clearly eX-
plain my position here, without recaptula-
ton. My protest of 18th February, distinct
w asserted that the United States would resist
the pretenton of England to search our YES
sells avowed at the same time, that this
was but my personal declaration, liable to be
confirmed or disavowed by my governments
now find a treaty has been concluded be-
tween Great Britain and the United States,
which provides for the cooperation of the
latter in efforts TO abolish the slave trade, but
which contains no remuneration by the former
of the extraordinary pretenslons, resulting, as
she said, from the eXigencies OF these very eff
forts; and which pretenson felt It to be my
duty TO denounce TO the French government.
In all this, presume to offer no furtder judg-
ment than as am personally affected by the
course of the proceedings, and feel they have
placed me in false position, whence can
escape but my returning home with lhe least
possible delay. | trust, therefore, that the
President will have felt no hesitation in grant.
ing me the permission which [ asked for.''
In December, 1912, General Cass returned
to the United States. He was received by the
citizens of Boston and New York with every
demonstration of respect. His bold stand or
Nho haH cd no linn
Of the people in his favor, and he was every
where hailed as the champion of the freedom
OF the seas, and the rights of American clti
zens. At New York he was addressed upor
political subjects, 10 which he furnished
brief reply, stating his mistaken attachment
to the principles of the democratic party, ant
his hostility 10 national bank. On his rout,
to the west, he was received at Harrisburg
Pennsylvania, and Columbus, Ohio, by thu
Governors and Legislators of those States
who came out to meet him, and escorted hin
to their towns. At Detroit, the governor, le
gislature, city authorities, and people came
out to welcome him home, as children vel
come the return of long absent father Or
the 9Th of January, he was addressed by
committee of the Democratic State Convention
of Indiana, upon political questions, to which
he replied at length, declaring himself against
the proceeds of the public lands; opposed to d
tariff for protection, that the revenue should
be kept to the lowest point compatible with
the performance Gifts constitutional functions, ,
and opposed to altering the constitution by a.
polishing the Executive veto; that he should
not be a candidate for the presidency, unless
nominated at the Baltimore Convention and
that he would support the nominee Of that
Convention.
On the 4th of July, 1913, Gen. Cass deliy.
cred an Grafton at Fort Wayne, Indiana, or
the completion of the Wabash and Erie canal
In this Grafton, while contrasting the condition
and prospects of this country with the nations
OF the Old World, he says:
&c have stood upon the plain Of Marathon
the battlefield of liberty. II is silent and de-
ISOLATE. Neither Greek nor Persian is there tc
give life and animation to the scene. 1t i.
bounded by stcrll hills on one side, and lash
ed by the eternal waves of the Egean sea OF
the other. But Greek and Persian were once
there, and that decayed spot was alive will
hostile armies, who fought the great fgh
which rescued Greece from the yoke of Persia
And have stood upon the hill of Zion, tn
citA of Jerusalem, the scene of our Redeemer'
sufterings and crucifxion and ascension. Blu
the sceptre has departed from Judah, and it
glory from the capitol of Solomon. The AS
syrian, the Egyptian, the Greek, the Roman
the Arab, the Turk, and the Crusaders, hav
passed over this chief place of Israel, and rel
1t of Its power and beauty In those region
OF the East where society passed its infancy
1t seems to have reached decreptude If tn
associations which the memory of their pas
glory eHcites are powerful, they are meIan
choly. They are without qualification for tn
present, and without hope for the future
But here we are in the freshness of youth
and can look forward with rational confidence
TO ages of progress in all that gives power t
man and dignity TO human nature it is bet
ter 10 look forward to prosperity than back tt
glory
In the summer of 1913, General Cass re
ceived the following letter from General Jack
son:
"HERMIrAGE, July, 1913.
My DEAR SIR: have the pleasure to &C
anowIedge your very friendly letter of tn
%o'h OF May last. 1t reached me in due cours
OF mail but such were my debility and attic
ton, that have been prevented from reply
ing 10 II uhul now; and even now, it is will
great dlttlculty that l write. In return TO
your kind expressions with regard 10 myself
| have to remark, that l shall ever rpcoIlect
my dear General, with great satisfaction. the
relations, both private and official, which sub
sisted between us during the greater mart o.
my administration. Having full confidence
IN your abilities and republican principles,
invited you TO my cabinet; and can neve
R.A i. 1