The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-17
THE WASHINGTON PRESS ON THE RESIG
NATION OF SECRETARY CASS.

From the National IltelIigencerl
1t was so currently rumOred yesterday that Mr.
Cass had rendered to the President his resigna
ton of The office of Secretary of State that We
were induced to make inquiry in quarters likely tC
be well informed. We have, accordingly, to an
nounce that the statement is correct, and that the
venerable Secretary has withdrawn from the Cabi
net of which he has so long been the honoret
Premier The causes leading him to take thi
step have not yet transpired, but those who know
his past history will not doubt the convictions o
patriotic duty under which he has acted, and JUS
as little is it necessary to say that he Will carry
with him in his retirement the gratitude and re
gard OF his countrymen for valuable service during
| life at full of years andfull of honor.
From the Constitution.
We see it announced on authority, in the Ma
| tional Mtelhgencer of this morning, that General
Cass has resigned the Office of Secretary of State,
which he has held since the commencement of the
present Administration, and that within less than
three months OF its termination 10 avoid all mis-
construction mis-Statement OF the reasons which
caused this event, we have taken pains to ascer-
tain the true cause. 1t is not that General Cass
differed from the President in regard to any portion
of his late Message. On the great question of CO.
ercng State to remain in the Union by military
force, the President and General Cass perfect
ly united in opinion. The difficulty arose from
the fact that General Cass insisted that naval
and military force should be sent Immediately
to Charleston to reinforce the forts in that
harbor; and that the President was of opinion that
there was necessity for any such measure, in
der TO secure the IOftS against attack InlS Delng
the Presidents conviction, he would not sanction a
movement which might lead to collision and blood
shed in the present excited state of feeling in South
Carolina, and other Southern States, and at time
when every friend of the Union is using his best
efforts prevent its dissolution or, if that be not
possible, to avert the adoption of any measure
which would render its reconstruction hopeless
We understand that the President has resolved
to appoint Attorney General Black to the vacant
Secretaryship of State, and that his nomination
will be sent to the Senate on Monday.
From the Euen,ng Star.l
As briefly announced in yesterdays Star, Secre-
tary Cass has certainly resigned. We believe his
letter of virtual resignation to have embraced an
elaborate argument in favor of the governmental po-
Icy which, it has long been known, President Bu-
chanan will in no event resort to. That is, in IA
of the initiation of civil war By the General
Government to prevent the secession of Southern
States. Thus he doubtless urged the better policy
of so strengthening the troops in Charleston har-
Dor as would enable them to resist any possible eff
fort the part of the South Carolina secessionis Is
to take possession of the fortifcations there. We
feel sure too that he made the acceptance of that
policy by the President the ultimatum upon which
he would remain in the Government. Of course it
was not accepted-hence his resignation.
We further feel confident that en- Monday next
Attorney General Black will be nominated to the
Senate for the Secretaryshp of State, in his stead
and regard it as being highly probable that Mr..
Edwin M. Stanton, formerly of Ohio, well known
of late years from his connection with the law bus
mess of the Government, in California particular
", will be rendered the Attorney -Generalship in
Judge Blacks stead. 1t is very certain that no
two better appointments could be made-no two
more likely to command public confidence every
where or to accord to the President more substan-
tal assistance in this hour of the countrys raUai.