Year: 1861

From the Detroit Free Press, March 2
GENERAL CASS AT HOME-RECEPTION AT


DETROlT-SPEECH OF GENERAL CASS ON


THE CRISIS.


The return of Gen. Cass to his home in Detroit
was made yesterday the occasion of large and en-
thusiastic demonstration the part of citizens of
all united in cordial display of the res
pec and esteem in which they hold his services and
character. The demonstration was of kind sell
dom accorded to men in public life, the weight and
position of the principal participants belonging to
a standard which constitutes in itself compliment
of the highest order. We feel assured that never
on any similar occasion has body of our citizens
comprised so much of ofsolidity, wealth and respecta
bility, as that which Yesterday morning took the
cars to meet and escort homeward the venerable
statesman, whose close of office has, probably for
the last time, found its close.


At the close OF an address of welcome by Mr. En-
mons, Gen. Cass replied in the following words:


''Sir-The kind reception which my feow-citizens Of
Detroit have given me- this my amongst them
has impressed with profound emotions of gratitude
The recoecons and associations which press upon me
render it impossible for me to do little more than ac
knowledge theiI kindness. Ny political career is ended
and am warned that in the of nature my life ap
proaches lis termination. I back to the Of
my early abors and and exertions endeared to
me by many an interesting association to remain among
you TILL in the providence of God shall be called to
meet that final change that later
all A young adventurer in this great region of the
Northwest it has proved to me- to many Others not
only land of promise, but land also of performance
You have been pleased refer in terms of commenda


ons to the services have been called upon to render to


Inns section of our common country have indeed seen
auVance from weak and exposed colonial condition
70 W present position possessed of all the elements ohu
man power and prosperity.


nave put one regret to encounter in resuming my


you and that arises from the perilous crisis
III WGn our country sinvolved You do m but Justice
III 10 me an earnest desire for the preserva
ton o .nIs Union, and of the Constitution the great
Work OF our ahers and which has secured to their


greater measure Of freedom and prosnertv than anv
natlon ever enjoyed before can scarcely
mysel1 that am not oppressed some fearful dream
when reflect upon all that is passing in our country
and upon the position in which this great RenubIic
placed suddenly struck from the summit Of ;ts nros
perity, and with future before us which no man can
contemplate without the most serious alarm In ali his
tory there is nothing like it. With external enemy
to trouble with internal oppression with none Of
which nations often punished for their offences we
have recklessly put hazard inesmabe blessings
and entering that path of dscord and division and
border disputes which, if there is any truth in history
must lead to most disastrous consequences do not al
lude to this fearful subject in any partisan spirit lido
not seek to investigate the which led to the
state of things.


But indulge in the hope that before it is too late
there will be determination through the whole country
"a firm determination cultivate feelings of friend
ship and harmony, accompanied by manifestation of
spirit OF conciliaon and compromise, Of justice, indeed
winch may lead to the hope that ii the work earnestly
ana promptly undertaken, may succeed, under Pro-
Voence In reestabshng the integrity and the blessings
W ne constitution, with the patriotic cooperation of the
whole American people," t4)