Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1857-03-07
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III Speaking cf the beicCtiOu u Gch. LASS
as Secretary of State, the Cincinnati Enquirer
says;
Mr.. Buchanan and the country may congrat-
uiate themselves that they have secured the
services OF a man in the first place 10 the Cabi-
net, who In every respect Is worthy to be the
successor OF the Jefersons, Madisons, Adams
es, Clays, Van Burens, LiviBgstons, Forsyths,
Websters, Buchanans, Everetts and Mareys,
who have conferred upon that position so much
luster and renown. DO Office under the Gov
eminent, the President not excepted, has been
80 long and ably filled as the Secretary Of
State, and we rejoice that it Is to increase
rather than lose in dignity by the new Admin
i~stration. Lewis Cass, by virtue Of his great
abilities, his long services and experience, bis
scholastic requirements, stands at the head OF
the list OF living American statesmen His
reputation is not only national, but universal.
IL extends 10 both continents-to all places
where the name of America is known.
Gen. Cass was born in New Hampshire, In
1892, aud is now seventy-fve years Of age.
At early age he immlgrated to the then will
derness OF the West, and located in our own
State Of Ohio. He was here elected to several
high positions 10 the Territorial and State Gov
ernments, by the choice Of the people, as well
as that Of President Jefferson, who recognized
bis merits as a popular and able young man.
When the war OF 1912 cams on, General
Csss, obeying the instincts Of patriotism,
which has always been a marked trait in his
character, volunteered his services, and entered
the army, to beat back the British Indian in
vaders. He served CALAMITY under General
Harrison during the whole OF his Northwestern
campaign, and acquired much distinction as a
brave and active officer In the battle Of the
Thames, as well as in several other severely
contested actions. After the conclusion Of the
war he was for many years, under successive
Administrations, Governor Of the Northwest
Territory, aud in that position acquired i'm
mense popularity. Strongly imbued with the
principles Of Democracy, General Cass was
one of the ablest supporters Of the hero Jackson,
who honored him with the most distinguished
marks Of confidence. He was made Secretary
Of War in Jackson's second Cabinet, and dis
charged the duty Of that important depart
ment, at the notification era, with great credit
to himself ami the country. One Of the last
acts Of the hero OF New Orleans was to send
General Cass as Minister to France in 1896.
He remained at the Court Of the TuileTies until
1912, and during that time rendered US more
important service than almosta any minister We
ever had abroad. By his patriotism, ability
and vigilance be succeeded in preventing France
from becoming party to the Quintuple Treaty
between the great powers Of Europe, which
asserted the right Of search against American
vessels, and would, had it been ratified, in
yolved US in a bloody war with Europe.
These great services and the ability dis
played by Gen. Cass greatly increased his pop
ularity al home, and, in 1874, a very large por-
ticn Of the Democracy were in favor Of hi.
nomination for President Of the United States
He received a very large complimentary vot,
at the Baltimore Convention, and would, doubt
less, have been nominated had not Mr.. Var
Buren's name been Withdrawn, and Mr.. POlk't
substituted in its stead. Gen. Cass played al
= ~
which resulted in Mr.. Folks election, and th'
consequent anpexation Of Texas, Of which
measure Gen. Cass was one Of the earliest ad'
~vocates. In 1915 lie was elected to the United
States Senate from Michigan, and has eve
since been a member Of that body, where b.
has been usually looked to by all parties al
one Of its most illustrious and able members
In 1S46 Gen. Cass was nominated for Pfesi
dent, at Baltimore, by the Democratic Conven
ton, receiving a two-third vote on the fourti
ballot. Gen. Butler, Of Kentucky, was select
ed Vice President. Previous to this time h'
had written his immortal Nicholson lette
against the "Wilmot Proviso,'' taking the thel
novel ground that Congress had nothing to d.
with slavery in the Territories, but that it be
longed entirely to the people who resided Their,
J to settle. This position was f%uriously assailet
by the opposition, bat Gen. Cas- has lived t.
see it adopted as the fixed policy Of the Gov
/ 4 A-Ao ~ NAA1 -N@1&A~
the only means by which the slavery question
can be equitably and honorably settled and tn,
Union preserved, Of itself will confer upon hin
immortal luster.
Owing to the treachery OF Mr.. Van Burel
and his friends, who brought out a third candi
date, General Cass was defeated for Presiden
by a close vote. He received one hundred ant
twenty-seVen to one hundred and sixty-three
The whole Northwest voted for him in a body
and the result was effected by a single State
Pennsylvania, whose vote only was wanting
for his election.
Gen. Cass was one Of the principal supper
tiers of the Compromise measures OF 1850
which were based upon the idea Of his Mich
olson letter. In 1882 General Cass was agail
a candidate for President at the National Con
~yention, and received, by far, more votes thai
any other candidate. An agreement was hnall,
effected upon General Pierce as a compromis
man, and that gentleman then received tn
main support Of Gen. Csss and his friends.
He lent the immense weight Of his name an
influence to the passage of the Nebraska bill
and to the election Of Mr.. Buchanan for Presi
dent in 1856, and actually, notwithstanding
his great age, took the stump in Mr.. Ruchan
ans favor in Michigan. But fanatieism an,
error swept over that State with tornado pow
er, and the gallant veteran was thrown our o
the United States Senate, a body which he ha
adorned and given luster to for many years.
From this brief sketch of his life and publ
services it will readily be seen that Genera
Cas- cannot otherwise than 60 into the Cab
net with the confidence OF the country. He i
old, it is true, but his temperate habits hav
left him in a fine state of preservation. He i
younger than many men at sixty. After all, b
is but two or three years the senior of Secreta
~ Marcy and Of Daniel Webster, who per
formed the duties Of the State Department wit
unsurpassed ability. He is no older than Lor
Palmerston, the present Premier Of England
for whom, in intellectual ability, he is far NOR
than a match. We may look for a series o
diplomatic papers from the General, which vii
be read with pleasure and ride by the Amer
lean people. Lewis Cass is the Representative
Of no section of our country in particular, bu
is eInphatically a national and Union man, I
cement which in the bonds Of affection ha
been, for many years, the dearest object Of hi
aspirations as a statesman. His political ca
reer being ended, he can have no motive but &
serve his country faithfully during the shor
remnant Of his days. The installation of thi
accomplished and thoroughbred scholar, ex
perienced diplomatist and Senator, and triet
and ever true Democrat, into the Cabinet o
Mr.. Buchanan, will give his Administratio
dignity in the eyes of the country. Although
seventy-hve winters have passed over his head
the General has a good deal Of the ire o
" Young America" in his composition, and "
may reasonably expect from him a vigorous an
high-toned foreign policy.
q The New York Herald publishes a lis
of the wealthy citizens OF New York On IN