of the Indian inhabitants of Yucatan, upon them, Gen. Cass was in favor of the proposition, both for reasons of humanity and public policy. Yucatan had also sought the interposition of both England and Spain; and the question of interference on the part of the United States, was closely connected with its policy in regard to permitting any foreign government to plant its standard on this continent. On these grounds, Gen. Cass sustained the bill.

CHAPTER XVI.

Course of General Cass in the Senate meets with approval from the people-Convention at Baltimore in 1848-Hunkers and Barnburners-Votes in Convention -Gen. Cass nominated for the Presidency-Remarks of Mr. Stevenson President of the Convention-Gcn. Cass' letter of acceptance-Baltimore Resolutions-Gen. Cass resigns his seat in the Senate-His reception by the people, on his route home-Campaign of 1848--Position of Mr. Van Buren-The Utica Convention--Buffalo Convention-Bitterness of the opponents of the democratic party against Gen. Cass--Characteristics of the contest--Confidence of the democratic party in their candidates.

The course of Gen. Cass in the Senate of the United States contributed to increase his fame as a statesman, and to add new and strong proofs of his attachment to his country and her institutions. Every act of his senatorial career-every sentiment uttered by him, carried in itself evidence of his nationality as a legislator. It seems to have been with him an ever present principle that mere expediency or temporary advantage should never be permitted to supercede the claims upon his judgment, of a well founded and reasonable policy. To meet the whole question at once and decide upon it, in view of all its bearings and consequences, was considered by him better, than to temporize, and plan and intrigue to avert until some further day, the final result. It was in this bold and decisive manner that he met the exciting and perilous question which pervaded the public mind and absorbed public attention, previous to the meeting of the democratic Baltimore Convention of 1848. The democratic party throughout the union may be said to have been at that time, comparatively unanimous in the wish that Gen. Cass should be their candidate for the Presidency, to succeed Mr. Polk. The numerous manifestations of public feeling, which by means of the public press, circulated through the country, established the fact, that not only was he the favorite candidate of the democracy of a majority of the States, but of the democratic party within those States respectively. Every section of the Union, except those States having a distinguished citizen of their own aspiring to the Presidency, emphatically cal

led upon Gen. Cass to be their candidate. They had carefully noted his public career, and had not forgotten the noble trait he exhibited, when in 1844 he took the field, in support of his successful competitor before the convention. His views on the Oregon question, on the slavery question, on the tariff, on all the leading measures, were well known to be free from sectionalism. He regarded the entire country as interested in all these questions, and in acting upon them he was governed by what, in his judgment, seemed most beneficial to the whole. Such a man was most fit to be at the head of the government, at a time when agitation and party spirit and an unhealthy sentiment on some topics, prevailed. The "Wilmot Proviso" had arrayed in its favor, a number of partisans, and among them a few distinguished and prominent democrats, whose previous doctrines and practice had been diametrically opposed to its provisions. The excitement on this question reached such a height in the State of New York that two sets of delegates were selected to the Baltimore Convention, one for, and one opposed to the Proviso. The acerbity of feeling between these two parties was so powerful, that no concession could be obtained from either, nor under the circumstances could either participate in the action of the Convention, consequently New York debarred herself from casting a vote for the democratic nominee.

The Baltimore convention assembled on the twenty-second of May, 1848. Hon. Andrew Stevenson, of Virginia, was chosen President. It was resolved that the two-third rule should govern in the choice of candidates for President and Vice President. The two sets of Delegates from New York, claiming seats in the convention, the subject was referred to the committee on credentials. The committee adopted a resolution, not to open the discussion between the conflicting parties for seats in the convention, until each party should pledge themselves to abide by the decision of the convention, and agree to support, by all honorable means, the nomination made by that body. To this resolution the delegates selected at the Utica Convention (characterized as Barnburners) responded that they would not pledge themselves as required by the committee on credentials, and that they must be admitted unconditionally, or not at all.

The delegates chosen by the Syracuse Convention (called H unkers) responded, that they acknowledged the right of the convention to settle the question of admissibility-that they w old acquiesce in the decision of the convention, in determining which del egation should have seats therein and that they would support such nominees as the convention should present for the support of the democratic party.

The committe reported to the convention their proceedings, with a resolution in substance that the Syracuse delegates were entitled to seats in the convention.

Leave was granted by the convention to the contesting parties, to advocate their respective claims, and gentlemen from both delegations addressed the convention. Upon discussion and deliberation the convention adopted a resolution allowing both sets of delegates from New York to participate in all the proceedings and privileges of the convention and to cast seventy-two votes for the State, that being the number of delegates from the State of New York claiming seats in the convention.

The convention being organized, proceeded to nominate a candidate for the Presidency. On the first ballot, Lewis Cass, of Michigan, received one hundred and twenty-five votes, being the votes in part, of eighteen States. James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, received fifty-five votes, being the votes in part, of eight States. Levi Woodbury, of New Hampshire, received fifty-three votes, being the votes in part, of twelve States. George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, received three votes, being part of the vote of the State of Georgia. On this ballot, the votes of the States were divided among the candidates. The whole number of votes cast in the convention, was two hundred and thirty-six. The number necessary to a choice, one hundred and fifty-seven, (New-York and Florida not voting;) and no one having received that number, there was no choice.

On the second ballot, Gen. Cass received one hundred and thirty-three votes, Mr. Buchanan fifty-four, Mr. Woodbury fifty-six, and Mr. Dallas three ;--New-York and Florida not voting. No one receiving two thirds of the votes cast, the convention proceeded to a third ballot, when Gen. Cass received one hundred and fiftynine votes, Mr. Buchanan forty, Mr. Woodbury fifty-three, and

Gen. Worth five. No choice being made, the convention proceeded to a fourth ballot, when Gen. Cass received one hundred and seventy-nine votes, out of two hundred and fifty-four, and was declared duly nominated by the convention, as the candidate for President. The announcement of the result by the president, was received with enthusiasm and long continued applause; the entire convention uniting in one spirit stirring shout of approbation. The delegates from those States which did not cast their votes for General Cass, upon the last ballot, requested that their vote might be changed, so that the nomination might be unanimous. This was done; and with the exception of one delegate from Alabama, and the Florida delegation, the convention was unanimous in tendering a cordial and hearty support to the nominee. The unanimity with which Gen. Cass was selected by the convention as the Presidential candidate of the democracy, is alike an evidence of the extent and substantial character of his popularity, and of his superior qualifications for the office.

It is a severe but salutary test to which the qualifications of a candidate are subjected, when he is brought under the ordeal of a two-third vote. None but the truly great can successfully undergo the scrutiny of its application; and he who comes before the peo ple, endorsed by its approbation, is most certainly entitled to their confidence and support.

From among the ablest statesmen in the country, they selected him whom they deemed most eminently to possess all the requisites necessary to constitute a leader; to whose support the democracy could rally with pride and enthusiasm.

Gen. William O. Butler, of Kentucky, was, at a subsequent session of the convention, nominated for the Vice Presidency.

The venerable Andrew Stevenson, president of the convention,

in taking leave of it, at the close of its labors, paid the following brief but expressive tribute to the character and capacity of General Cass :

"I congratulate you," said he, "and the country upon the issue of your deliberations. I rejoice that you have done that which I knew you would do--honored yourselves, honored the party, honored the country, by presenting two candidates worthy-most worthy--to fill these high and distinguished stations. Gentlemen, you have discharged that duty. With one of these nominees, I have