, 1873-01-28
OBITUARY..


]
William Cassidy, editor-in-chief Of the Albany
Argus, died 1t Albany yesterday morning. 4
the time OF his death he Was q member Of the
Commission for revising tho Constitution ot
years OF age. His father was an emigrant from
Ireland. and carly settled in Albany where
William, We believe. was born.
For = quarter Of century previous to 1s43,
the Albany argus. under the editorial man.so-
mont Of Edwin Czosue1l, Was the organ OF the
Nev York Democracy, and held prominent po-
sltion among the Democratic journals of the
Union. But it WAS more than suspected Of not
favo1ins tho nomination of Martin Van Buren,
tor President at the approaching. National
grown timid and conservative, and
fdence Of the moro sdvanded wing OF the
New York Democrats OF which Van Bnren,
Wright, and Flags were the conspicuous leaders,
and who began to be called radicals, and we're
charged with lack Of zeal in support Of the
grnsping pretensions Of the slave power OF the
country. So. in obedience to the wishes Of the
radical branch Of the party, Mr.. Van Dyke, then
recently State Senator, and in our times Sub
Treasurer in this city, and Mr. French, young
gentleman OF large means, and 4 brother-iD-lav
OF John Van Buren,, purchased 9 small sheet,
called the Albany dtzns, and enlarged it, and
gave it fresh start as the rival, aud indeed the
Very soon after the Atds commenced its new
mission, young Cassidy wns engaged rs assist
ant editor. And now open war between these
two Journals at the capital was declared, and
hostilities soon ragged in every county in the
Argus being called Hunkers, while those rho
followed the fortunes Of the Alas gloried in the
name Of Barnbuznere. The contest involved
both State and National affairs, tho policy
bsas BY IN
tho main into the Constitution of
their drift will be understood 1rhen it is re-
membefed that they cautiously resisted the an-
Wilmot ProviEo. Van Dyke wrote ably and !
well, but the fire and b1illinncy which soon made
the atlas the delight OF its frienda and the
dread Of it, foes were due to Cassidy. The !
bling Of tue famous Free Sol Convention At
Buffalo, in 1s4s, which nominated Martin
Van Buren, for President, and Charles |
Francis Adams for Vice President, caused !
the defeat OF General Cass and tho
sss ss,es Of ssse1 T16 h Ind n.oa dent
was never able to recover. Some OF tho New I
York Democrats who followed the fng Of the
dtlas in that campaign eight years later, helped
to found the Republican party, and became dis
name Preston King, James s. Wadsworth, David
Dudley Field, and Reuben E. Fenton. OF other
prominent Democrats OF like faith who are now
living, but we're never Republicans, ne may
u1EuLlQu JCuu a. LIZ E5AQ1OTQ r. t0uTC0x sam |
uel T. Tilden, and Azariah c. Flagg.
The active, vigorous, brilliant years Of Mr.
Caseidys editorial career we're from the COM
nencement OF his connection with the Atlas
down to the formation of the Republican party
n 1856, When large body of his attached friends
became foremou: in the ranks Of this new radi-
al organization. During the intervening years
he Atlas became united with the Argus, first |
aking the name of both Journals, but aoon ns-
'unng that OF the Argus only: Mr CASSIDY ksd
war fnra haa1 AZ %ta a@1 nf %1,n aSi IA /
'aTtment, aud his paper has a1ways been re-
,arded as the organ OF the Democratic party Of
Jew York. OF late Mr. Cassidy mas paid less
ttention to his journal than be WAS wont to do
Town rich, and doubtless somowhat indo1ent,
'hile changes in the system OF journalism, even |
Z the interior, and the steadily advancing power
fthemetropolitan press, rendered an able news-
aper at the State capital less influential than
hon be, rising young man, was struggling for
eputation and poaition in the editorial chair Of !
he atlas.
Mr.. Cassidy, though . shrewd observer and
sound adviser in public affairs, was never an
rdent politician. Indeed, bis mind Was too !
nelly strung to relish the strong hevor Of the
sucus, and it was with reluctance that he took
art even in State Conventions. He was totally
verse to accepting Office, and We believe the only
1bic positions he held were those Of momber
the Constitutional Convention Of 1868, aud ! ,
the Commission for Revising tho Constitu- :
on, now sitting At Albany. He WAS = wary :
Id judicious counsellor on public questions, and c
. advice was sought and often followed by
overnors Wright, Seymour. and Hoffman. Ho {
as the brother-in-law OF Peter Cagger, so long :
10 Secretary Of the Democratic State Commit
Q, and was the special confdant Of John Van .
uran. He wAa LII favor OF the nomination Of |
lief Justice Chase ~ the Democratic candi-
Ite for President in 1868, aud, throughout the |:
st campaign, vigorously supported Horace A
reeley.
r. l., Jan. 27-Robert B. Crana- 4
n, ex-Congressmau, died this morning.
NEW Yohx, jan. 27.-M. Paul Messnut, q we'll
lown French journalist, and resident OF tho 9
aited States since 1869, dicd on Long Island 8
storday morning. q
Ala, Jan. 27.--D. ". Norris. 8
member Of Congress from the Third Alabama l,s
strict, died this morning.
ALRAsY, Jan. 27.-Luther Tucker, editor and [
oprietor OF the C4l6rator and Country Gentle 6
IN, died yesterday. q
Numbers In the LOTTERY. i,c
In the reign OF George I. the foo.man Of = |: d
~ Of quality dreamed that two particular ! b
mbers would turn up prizes he bought these =
Q tickets on the following day; but they both