The Washington union., 1857-06-06
GEN. cAss's SPEECH.

The railroad excursonists, whose movements for
the last week have been chronicled by the press
with great fidelity were welcomed to Ohio by Gov.
Chase in person, whose address on that occasion is
spoken of as exceedingly felicitous. His address
elected the following brief but very interesting re-
ply from Gen. Cass
II have listened with deep interest to the address by
your cxcelency in your reception of the strangers who
have lust landed on the north bank of the Ohio.
OF all persons earth, none more than myself can
appreciate these passing Within few feet OF
where stand landed more than half century ago,
poor young adventurcr seeking in this land of promise
to commence my first enterprise in life this 'nc was
the land of promise of my first trial-o my sacri-
flee; here commenced my career In life hopes and
my fears. ........
Your excellency may Judge, then that there could
be nothing strange than the Ohio of the past and
the Ohio of to-day. The circumstances under which l
find myself awaken sensations of more than ordi
nary character. Here my first SCHOOL, left this
spot a scholar-I come back now teacher went out
to fight the great battle of life i return with it fought
The result is glorious illustration of the popular charac
of institutions The poor boy has represented the
people in the high places of the land, and representa-
tive of the nation has been her minister before kings
other nation presents such spcctacles.
Hold on, then to the popular character OF the gov
ernment to q ship when night and tempess come No
such prosperous land be found under the
lines have indeed been cast in pleasant places.
'Fifty-seven years ago all the Northwest Territory
contained only 3OU0U people now lts limits nclunc
q, 900, ,000 The is living whose felled the
first of these forests, and there alive
who will not pass away until the United States has at
taincd population of hundred millions The tri
umphs Of the past wondrous. From land without
cultivation, without schools, without internal improve
ments this has become State both prosperous and pow
erful The vessels which taversed the beautiful river
flowing at feet the Kentucky ark for descend
ing, and keel boats for return Fiftyone years ago
young man, representing this county in the Legislature
Of this State, when those pioneer standardization
Messrs. Fulton Livingston, made proposition to
State authorities establish lines of passenger and freight
boats the Ohio propelled by steam against the current
at the rate of four miles per hour The proposition
laughed out of the legislature mpractcable
young fogy then am old fogy If it had de-
pended upon of that day. the magnificent enterprise of
steam navigation would not be startling with its
grand achievements.
81 have just passed the magnificent railway ira
vcrsng the mountains dividing the East from the West
work Rome could not have constructed even in her
pamiest days
'Ihe time has been when horseback trip to Baltimore
required 20 days it is accomplished by steam rail
way in that many hours.
1he illusions of your excellency to the Puritan set
tlement at Marietta were happily made. This the
step the march of that progressing race whose
powerful influence is felt in the land
'The first landing at Jamestown, the second
the north side of this river improvements followed in
their wake.
They have dfused learning here with liberal hand,
the best mark of human nature.