Democratic banner., 1848-06-05
BIOGRAPHY OF GEN. CASS.

II OE OLN. SAOo
The civil and military qualifications of
Gen. Lewis Cass for the Presidency, and
the distinguished services which he render
ed his country, are briefly set forth in. the
following sketch, the greater part of which
was written before Gen. Cass's name had
been connected with the Presidential ques-
ton. 1t may, therefore, be justly regarded
as a tribute, which the impartial historian
pays to the merits of a gallant soldier and
distinguished statesman.
Lewis Cass was born in Exeter, New
Hampshire. His ancestors were among
the first settlers of that part Of the country,
and his father bore a commission in the rev.
dictionary army, which he joined the day
after the battle of Lexington, and in which
he continued until the close of the war,
having participated in the memorable bat
ties of Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Princeton,
Trenton, Monmouth, and Germantown
He was afterwards a major in Wayne's ar
my. In 1899, he removed with his family
to Marietta, but eventually settled at
Wackalomoka, iu the vicinity of Zanes-
Vile, in Ohio, where, after a life Of honora-
BILE usefulness, he died in 1880.
His son, Lewis Cass, was educated at
the academy in Exeter, and studied law at
Marietta, under the late Gov. Meigs. He
was admitted 70 the bar in 1902, and pur-
sued the practice of hi, profession success
fully during several years.
In 1906, he was elected a member of the
Ohio Legislature. When the enterprise OF
Col. Burr began to agitate the country, he
was appointed on the committee to which
the subject was referred, and drafted tie
law which enabled the local authorities 10
arrest the men and boats on their passage
down the Ohio. This law, interPosing the
arm of the State, bafled a project which
was generally believed TO have been of a
revolutionary character, and intended to
divide the Western from the Eastern Sta es.
The same pen drafted the address to Mr..
jefferson, which unfoulded the views of
the Ohio Legislature on this momen,ous
subject.
In 1907, Mr.. Cass was appointed Mar
shall of the State, which Office he resigned
lin 1913. In 1912, he volunteered his SER
~vices in the force which was called out to
Join the army under Gen. William Hull, and
marchedto Dayton, where he was elected
Cobnelo of the Sd regiment of Ohio volun-
~teers. Having to break through an al
most trackless wilderness, the army suffer.
ed mu:h on its route TO Detroit, and it was
necessary that the officers of the volunteers
SHOULD be exemplars in fatigue and priva'
Itions,lest The men, unused to military dis
%cipliIc, should turn back in discourage
ment Col. Cass was among the most ur-
genffor an invasion of the Canadian pro-
vine Immediately after the army arrived
at Detroit; but Gen. Hull did not cross the
river until after the lapse of several days
: ard thereby lost all the advantages of 6
p'ompt and decisive movement. The ad.
,anced detachment was commanded BY
Col. Cass, and he was the first man wh'
landed in arms on the enemy's shore, afteI
the declaration Of war. Col. Cass soon dis
lodged the British posted at the bridge Owe
the Canard's. There he maintained hi
ground, in expectation thatthe army woul'
advance and follow UP the success, by strik
ing at Maiden; but he was disappointed a
the indecision of the general, who ordered
the detachment to return.
In all the timorous and inefficient mea'
sures which followed, Col. Cass had no re
sponsible participation. His known dlsaP'
probation of the course pursued, made lin
: an unwelcome counsellor at head quarters
Col. Cass Immediately repaired to Wash
= ~ington, and made a report to Government
In the following spring he was exchanged
and appointed colonel Of the 9th regimen
3 of infantry, and soon after was promoted I
IL M n