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"These, gentlemen, are my views, and, if necessary, I beg you to announce them, and to declare me not a candidate, in case there is not reasonable hope that the party will unite in my favor. I do not doubt that in such an event my friends will abandon all personal predilection, and prove their devotion to principles, by a zealous support of the nominee of the convention.

"With great regard

"I am, gentlemen,

"Your obedient servant,

"LEWIS CASS.

"To the Delegates from the State of

"Michigan, to the Baltimore Convention."

In compliance with the request contained in this letter, the delegates from Michigan withdrew the name of General Cass from the list of candidates, and the delegates from New York withdrew the name of Mr. Van Buren. Mr. Polk was then unanimously nominated for President. This was followed by the nomination of Silas Wright for Vice President; but this gentleman, who was in Washington, peremptorily declined, and George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, was nominated in his stead.

The Whig convention nominated Mr. Clay for President, and Theodore Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, for Vice President. The Presidental canvass was now fairly opened. It was Polksurnamed Young Hickory-and Dallas, on the one side; and Clay and Frelinghuysen on the other. The contest, from the start, was animated all over the Union. Annexation of Texas and the tariff were the two leading issues. The Whigs evaded the bank question, and the Democrats, considering that subject defunct, did not press it, although it was often referred to in their speeches and resolutions.

The friends of Mr. Van Buren- especially his confidential friends were disappointed at the result of the convention, and chagrined. They knew that a majority of the delegates were instructed, impliedly or expressly, to cast their votes for him, and they had anticipated a different result. But, after reflection upon the cause of this discomfiture, it was evident that the Texas question had intervened, and to this alone was to be ascribed the preference of the convention.

As soon as the announcement of the ticket reached the people at home, they rallied to its support with enthusiasm. Ratification meetings were held in all the large cities and towns, and arrangements immediately made to perfect a thorough organization. When the news reached Detroit, the democracy of that city, overlooking their own disappointment in not having their distinguished and favorite candidate presented to the electors of the country, rallied en masse to respond to the nomination. General Cass came forward from his retirement, and addressed his fellow Democrats, and asked for the ticket an energetic and hearty support. "He had come there," he said, "to take part in the proceedings, to express his hearty concurrence in the nominations made by the Baltimore Democratic convention, and to announce the determination faithfully to support them. The Democratic party had just passed through a crisis which served to prove the integrity of its principle, and the internal strength of its cause. After many differences of opinion, differences, however, about men, and not measures, the convention had chosen a man whose private character was irreproachable, and who, in various public stations, had given proof of his ability, and firmness, and devotion to those principles which the Democratic party deemed essential to the prosperity of our own country and the perpetuation of her free institutions. Nothing now is wanting to ensure success, but united exertion, and that we must and will have. Let us put behind us the divisions and preferences of the past, and join in one common effort to promote the triumph of our cause. Victory is in our power, and let us attain it. Let every one feel and fulfill his duty."

General Cass did not confine his efforts in support of the nomination to his own home. He took the stump, and traversed Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, urging the people, with argument and eloquence, to cast their votes for Polk and Dallas. The campaign is noted for the very large gatherings of the people to hear what was to be said on both sides; and as the day of election approached, the two political parties vied with each other to get up the largest. In August an immense concourse of the friends of the Democratic ticket assembled at Nashville, and many of the most distinguished advocates of this ticket came there from the different sections of the Union. Among them was General Cass: and he availed himself of this opportunity to visit his respected

friend at the Hermitage. General Jackson was right glad to see him, and he had a delightful visit.

In his journey to and from Nashville, General Cass met with many of his old comrades in the wars. And numerous are the interesting anecdotes related. The following we re-produce, as evincive of character.

When at Norwalk, Ohio, while a number of revolutionary soldiers were being introduced to the General, one asked if he remembered him. Upon receiving a reply in the negative, the old soldier gave the following account of their first meeting: "In the spring of 1813, Fort Meigs was besieged by the British and Indians, and the Ohio militia were called out to march to the relief of the fort. General Cass was appointed to the command. The marshes and woods were filled with water, making the roads almost impassable. The commanding general had not yet arrived, but was daily expected. On the second day of the march, a young soldier, from exposure to the weather, was taken sick. Unable to march in the ranks, he followed along in the rear. When at a distance behind, attempting, with difficulty, to keep pace with his comrades, two officers rode along, one a stranger, and the other the colonel of the regiment. On passing him, the colonel remarked: 'General, that poor fellow there is sick; he is a good fellow though, for he refuses to go back; but I fear that the Indians will scalp him, or the crows pick him, before we get to Fort Meigs.' The officer halted, and dismounted from his horse. When the young soldier came up, he addressed him: 'My brave boy, you are sick and tired; I am well and strong; mount my horse and ride.' The soldier hesitated. Do not wait,' said the officer, and lifting him on his horse, with directions to ride at night to the General's tent, he proceeded to join the army. At night, the young soldier rode to the tent, where he was met by the General with a cheerful welcome, which he repaid with tears of gratitude. That officer was General Cass, and the young soldier is the person now addressing you. My name is John Laylin." The General, remembering the circumstance, immediately recognized him. Mr. Laylin added: "General, that deed was not done for the world to look upon; it was done in the woods, with but three to witness it."

Another. The carriage containing General Cass was one day stopped by a man who said, "General, I can't let you pass without speaking to you. You don't know me?" General Cass replied

that he did not. "Well, sir," said the man, "I was the first man in your regiment to jump out of the boat on the Canadian shore." "No, you were not," said the General, "I was the first man myself on shore." "True," said the other, "I jumped out first into the river, to get ahead of you, but you held me back, and got ahead of me."

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On his way back to Detroit, he daily harangued the people that assembled in crowds to see him, to stand fast to their political integrity, and give the nominees of the Democratic convention a cordial and effective support. He called upon them to discard all jealousy-to sever themselves from all disaffection—and, in solid column, move forward to victory. Such an exhibition of disinterestedness influenced many a wavering Democrat to pursue firmly the line of duty, and sacrifice his personal inclinations upon the altar of principle. It was said that these personal efforts of General Cass determined the electoral vote of Indiana. It was cast for Polk and Dallas, as well as the vote of Michigan. Mr. Polk, in many localities, was comparatively unknown among the masses of the people.

These efforts, as well as the cheerful acquiescence and approval expressed by the other gentlemen whose names had been presented to the Democratic convention, beyond question contributed powerfully to the success which followed, in the elevation of James K. Polk to the Chief Magistracy, by an expressive majority over the popular and eloquent Whig leader, Henry Clay.

CHAPTER XXXII.

General Cass elected Senator-President Polk - His Message-The Monroe Doctrine-General Cass' Views-His Speech to the Senate.

The official term of Augustus S. Porter, as a senator of the United States from the State of Michigan, was to expire on the third of March, 1845. As soon as it was known that Mr. Polk was elected, a canvass commenced, and speculation was rife with rumors in relation to his cabinet. It was well understood that none of the then heads of Departments at Washington would be invited to remain. An entire change would take place. The names of many eminent men were suggested. Public expectation pointed to General Cass as the premier. But the people of Michigan desired to have the benefit of his services in the Senate, and were desirous that the Legislature should elect him as the successor of Mr. Porter. There was no occasion for any anxiety on this point, for long before the day for the Legislature to act, it was perfectly apparent what that action would be. Indeed, there was but one sentiment on the subject; and in due course of time, the Legislature, in compliance with public opinion, elected General Cass to serve as a senator of the United States from Michigan, for six years from the fourth of March, 1845. Every Democratic member of the Legislature, save two in the Senate, voted for him, and his election was regarded as unanimous. He proceeded to Washington, and took his seat in the Senate of the United States at the executive session called upon the inauguration of Mr. Polk.

The first session of the 29th Congress commenced on the first Monday of December, 1845, and this was the first regular meeting of Congress under the new administration. General Cass was in attendance at the commencement of the session. He entered upon a new field of official labor. His experience as a legislative debater was limited, for it was comprised in the single term he

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