The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1866-06-29

an ambassador to France. While at the
court of Louis Philippe, Mr.. Csss was in,
strumental in preventing the acceptance
by France of the treaty known as the
"Quntuple Treaty." by which the right
10 search all vessels suspected
of being slavers were reciproca!ly given
TO the five principal maritime nations of
Europe. While residing in Paris, be
produced small work, entitled THE
King and Court of France" which was
published in this country IN 1910.
In 1912, when, through the influence of
Daniel Webster and General Scott, the
treaty known as the Asbburton treaty WAS
negotiated and ratified, Mr.. Cass corsid
cred himself, and the international policy
he represented, sighted, and resigned his
/ ministry.
In 1914, lie was prominent candid ate
for the Presidential nomination of the
Democratic party; but ha, together with
Mr. Van Buren,, bis rival, was thrown
overheard to make way for James K
Polk, who had the advantage of not being
known out of his own county.
The next year, Mr.. Cass was chosen TO
the United States Senate by the legisla>
/ ture of Michigan. /. was soon after that
he produced the famous Nicholson letter,
relative to the question Of slavery in the
newly acquired Mexican territory. Ii was
Mr.. Case, and not Mr.. Douglas, that in>
vented the idea Of "squatter sovereignty P"
an idea which was enunciatea in this
letter. In 1913, Mr.. Cass succeeded in
obtaining the nomination for the Presi-
dency. but was beaten by Gen. Zachary
Taylor, the Wing candidate, chiefly
through his old rival Van Buren,, running
against min on a Free Soil" platform.
When the compromise measure Of 1850
was before the Senate, Mr.. Cass WIS in-
structed by his Legislature to vote against
them. lie acknowledged the right of
instruction, and though he was, as always,
a strong pro slavery man, he announced
lis determination TO obey or resign. His
friends were able, however, to procure a
recall of the resolution of instruction, and
! the Senator was able to vote for the Fugi
tive Slave Bill, which he did.
After this. when in 1857 he was a cans
didate for reelection to the Senate, the
people of Michigan concluded to do with
out his superior talents for the sake Of
having more correct exponent of their
views, and he was defeated. President
Buchanan, however, took him into his
cabinet as Secretary of State. This was
tire highest official position ever attained
by him, although he had been, three times
before conventions and once before the
people, candidate for the Presidency. In
Deem Der, 1860, he resigned his Secretary
ship. He has since remained in private
life at Detroit.
Gen. Cass was blest, beyond most pub
| lie men, with liberal share Of this worlds
goods, bis property, at the time Of his
death, being counted by millions of DOL
lars. lie was nevertheless, simple and
democratic IN his tastes. a biographer
said of him in 1856: 6" In the enjoyment
Of excellent health, Mr. Cass still retains,
notwithstanding his advanced age, re-
markable capacity for labor. Possessing
naturally a very robust constitution, be
has confirmed his health by strict temper
ance, himself practicing that total absti>
hence from intoxicating drinks, which as
Governor Of Michigan, he urged upon the
Indians, and as Secretary of War, sought
to introduce into the army. His habits
are simple; his manners and department
democratic, his style Of living plain and
substantial, and his residence not osten.a-
tious but elegant. Averse to idleness and
dissipation, he is merry with his compan
ions and strong in bis friendship. lie is
! remarkable for his afability to young
persons, and, surrounded by them at his
own table, he can be as hilarious and
happy as the gayest of them. To well
selected library be makes constant addi-
tons from the numerous publications Of
the day. He delights to pass an hour or
SO in the perusal of romances like those Of
Scott, Irving, Cooper, aud the like"
The same author also mentions, as a char
acteristic of the deceased statesman, " his
having always evinced an aversion to any
thing that savored of the British"