1.1 1?A'
moutb Sourna
VOL. XXXII.
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1913.
NO. 18.
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Many Residents in Cass County Perhaps Have Never
Even Dreamed That the Picture Which Hangs
in District Court Room Tells the Tale
INTERESTING LIFE SKETCH OF GEN. LEWIS GASS
la Whose Honor Cass County Was Named, and "That Picture on
the Wall" Was Presented to the County by the
Late Lamented J. Sterling: Morton
ON THE OCCASION OF THE
(Written by Judge
How many men, women and
children have looked upon a pic
ture hanging for years over the
judge's rostrum in the district
court room in Plattsmouth, Ne
braska? The number would
aggregato thousands, and yet how
few of this great number know
whom this oil painting rep
resents? How many have looked
upon the massive intellect, the
firm, uncompromising, yet pleas
ant facial expression in that pic
ture represented, and yet knew
not whose picture it is, nor why
it hangs in so conspicuous a
place in the court house of Cass
county, Nehaska? How, many will
be surprised, yet pleased, to learn
that this line oil painting is the
picture of an eminent anil dis
tinguished American statesman,
in whose name and honor Cass
county, Nebraska, was named?
Lewis Cass, after whom and in
whose honor Cass county, Ne
braska, was named, was horn in
Exeter, New Hampshire, on the
Dili day of October, 1782. Now,
how many students in the public
schools of Cass county, Nebraska,
can and will find in their geogra
phies the location of Exeter, New
Hampshire, where the man was
horn more than I JO years ago,
after whom Cass county, Nebrska,
was named?
Lewis Cass was of Puritan de
scent and bis father, Jonathan
Cass, was a soldier of the revolu
tionary war, and enlisied in I he
Continental army at the age of
19. Ihe next day after the battle
of Lexington. Let. the student of
history look up the date of Ibis
great and historic battle.
At Exeter.New Hampshire, Lewis
('ass attended the academy and
was a classmate of the great
Daniel Webster, the latter being
only about nine months older
than Cass. At this academy both
laid that scholastic foundation
which enabled them to reach that
prominent and eminent states
manship which has immortalized
the names of Cass and Webster in
American history.
Crosses Alleghaney Mountains on
Foot.
After completing his work at
the academy, Lewis Cass became
a school teacher at Wilmington,
Delaware, where he was employed
for a lime. While there engaged
in teaching his father and family
removed to Ohio, locating near
Zanesville, in Muskingum county,
i After completing his school at
-Wilmington, Cass traveled over
the Alleghaney mountains on
foot, locating at Marietta, Wash
ington county, Ohio, where he
studied law, and after admittance
10 the bar of that state com
menced practice at Zanesville,
near whero his father resided.
Member of Ohio Legislature.
In 180f, at, the age of 2i, Lewis
Cass was elected to the Ohio
legislature, where he soon became
prominent and influential.
While a member of the legis
lature he was made chairman of
11 special committee to investigate
the ads and movements of Ihe
notorious Aaron Burr. As chair
man of that committee, Lewis
("ass made such report as resulted
in the arrest of that supposed
conspirator against the govern
ment of I he United Slates.
Hurr was very ambitious to be
president and had been vice presi
dent. He had challenged Ceneral
Hamilton to fight a duel, because
of Hamilton's opposition to Burr's
schemes. In the light Hamilton
was killed.
COUNTY I
COURT HOUSE DEDICATION
Basil S. Ramsey.)
Afterward, it was generally be
lieved at that lime, that Aaron
Burr had formed and was pro
moting a scheme to form and
erect an independent government
west of the Alleghaney mountains,
with himself as dictator or king.
This was what Lewis Cass, at the
age of 2i, investigated and made
the report above mentioned.
United States Marshal and Indian
Fighter.
In 1807 Cass was appointed
United States marshal for Ohio,
which office he held for four
years, but in 1811 he resigned and
engaged in repelling attacks made
by the Indians on Ihe northern
frontier.
Colonel of Volunteers in the War
of 1812.
When, the war of 1812 with
England began Lewis Cass was 30
years old, but notwithstanding his
youthful years, was appointed
colonel of volunteers in I lie
American army and served under
(leneral Null in the vicinity of
Detroit, Michigan.
(ieneral Hull was in command
of 2,000 troops and was stationed
at Fori Detroit, where he was
sent to guard against Indian and
British raids on the northern
frontier. But instead of loyally
and faithfully performing this
trust, on August Hi, 1812, he sur
rendered Ihe fort at Detroit,
together with all the neighboring
forts and garrisons, to the British
under (ieneral Brock.
Prisoner by Hull's Surrender.
Lewis Cass was colonel of the
Third regiment of volunteers,
with which he joined (Ieneral
Hull, and at Ihe head of his regi
ment led an advance into Canada
and commanded the detachment
LEWIS
of the American army that drove
in the out posts at. Aux Canardas,
where was shed Ihe flrsl blood of
the war of 1812.
Colonel Cass was one of the
American soldiers made captive by
the British under the surrender
of CicncrnI Hull; hut soon after
the surrender Colonel Cass was
paroled.
Immediately after his parole he
was selected by his fellow officers,
who shared in his indignation at
tin; surrender, to go to Washing
ton and lay the fads before the
president. Ih? immediately went
to Washington and made the first
report, September 12, 1812, on the
inexplicable circumstances of this
surrender without tiring a single
gun. This report so aroused the
authorities that (Ieneral Hull was
arrested on a charge of cowardice
and treason, tried by court-martial,
found guilty and sentenced
to death. On account of (Ieneral
Hull's great age and having been
a soldier in the revolutionary
war, he was recommended to the
mercy of President James Madi
son, who finally pardoned him.
Brigadier General In Rogular
Army.
Colonel Cass was exchanged in
January, 1813, and immediately
thereafter he was appointed colo
nel in the regular army and soon
afterwards was promoted to the
rank of brigadier general, and
from that time until his death he
was generally known as and call
ed "(ieneral Cass." lie took part
in (he campaign of 1813 with
General Harrison, which resulted
in the defeat of (ieneral Proctor
at the battle of the Thames and
Ihe death of the Indian chief,
Teeunisch.
After this battle (ieneral Cass
was put in command at Detroit by
(ieneral Harrison; this place with
others having , been re-captnred
from the British and Indians af
ter the disgraceful surrender of
(.ieneral Hull. But lie did not
long remain at Detroit simply as
a general in charge of (be fort at
that place.
Civil and Military Governor of
Michigan.
In the fall of 1813 President
Madison appointed ieneral Cass
civil and military governor of,
Michigan, and also ex-olllcio
superintendent of Indian affairs,
ft is said of Lewis Cass that "He
assumed jurisdiction- over a
wilderness containing (. it
French and English-speaking
whiles ami 10.000 savages. No
lands had been sold by I lie Unit
ed Stales; no surveys had been
made; no titles were possible,
lie ca.sl aside the methods and
policies previously pursued by the
French and English :ind treated
the Indians as mere occupants
and not owners of Hie lands, lie
proposed to purchase I heir pos
sessary rights, limit their rang
ing, teach them mechanics and
agriculture, and provide them
with schools and churches. In
twenty-two treaties he secured
CASS.
the peaceable cession lo the gov
ernment of the vast territory now
occupied in four great stales. He
built roads, ordered ami superin
tended surveys, established and
maintained military posts, built
light-houses, organized counties
and townships, established courts
and provided all needed con
veniences and machinery for
civilized government and Ihe pro
tection of life and properly,
lirand, worthy and noble
tribute to the great statesman and
patriot after whom Cass county,
Nebraska, was named Lewis
Cass! But Ibis is not all con
cerning Cass' dealing with the In
dians on the frontier 100 years
ago.
Exploring Indian Territory.
In 1820 Lewis Cass personally
planned and conducted an ex
ploration of the Indian territory,
ft
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J. STERLING
t---
in which be
miles, mo.st
traveled over 5,000
of the way in birch
canoes, treating and exchanging
courtesies with Ihe leading tribes
of Indians, and finally secured
cessions of their claims to certain
tcrrilnry, now forming some ol
the most important stales of the
Union. In this expedition, Lewis
Cass immortalized his fame as
one of the great Indian explorers
and conservators of peace willi
the Indians of Ihe northwest,
nearly one hundred years ago.
Secretary of War Under Genoral
Jackson.
In July, 18:11, Oeneral Cass re
signed his ofllce as governor of
the Territory of Michigan and ac
cepted Ihe ollice of secretary of
war under President Andrew
Jackson. He had been appointed
governor six times under Presi
dents Madison, Monroe and
Adams without a negative sen
atorial vote.
Of the twenty-two treat ies by
him made with Ihe various tribes
of Indians, not one was ever re
jected by the United States sen
ate, nor were any of these treaties
ever opposed by (he various In
ilian tribes.
"As late as the last council in
Detroit of the Chippewas, Ottawas
and Pollawalatnics, July 25, 1855,
the Indians testified their respect
for and confidence in him by
abandoning their discussion,
flocking about him, grasping his
hand and saluting him as an old
and valued friend, when he unex
nectedlv entered Ihe council
room."
Presides at First Temperance
Meeting.
On February 24, 1833, Lewis
Cass presided at the first temper
ance meeting ever held in Wash
inglon, D. C, and on October 12,
1835, delivered the opening ad
dress upon Ihe organization of
the American Historical society
Minister to France.
In August, 1830, on account of
failing health, Cass withdrew as
secretary of war, whereupon
President Jackson appointed him
resident minister at Ihe French
court, where he remained for six
years, or until 18 42. England
had for years sought by diplo
macy, to secure Ihe active con
sent of Austria, Russia, Prussia
and France to the enforcement of
her claim lo the right of visit and
search, under cover of (he gen
eral abhorrence of the African
slave trade. Minister Cass not
only filed a maslerly and com-l
prehensive protest with the
French government, but, with the
consent of M. (iuizot, French
minister of foreign alfairs, issued
an address directly to the French
people, which still serves as a
text-book of the American posi
tion down to the present time.
On his return lo the United
States he was everywhere re
ceived with successive ovations,
which most emphatically showed
the approval of his acts as Ameri
can minister to the French court.
MORTON.
Candidate for Presidont in 1S44.
Two years after his return as
inister to France, in I8ii, h
was a candidate for president in
the democratic national conven
lion ami stood nex, to Martin Van
liurcn in (lie balloting, until a
ueaniocK uinier ine iwo-ininis
rule terminated in a compromise
on llie
selection of James K.
Polk.
United
States Sonator
Michigan.
next year, 1815,
From
The
Lewis
Cass was chosen United Slates
senator to represent Michigan.
Here Cass at once became a lead
ing and most influential member,
especially defending and advocat
ing the Monroe doctrine.
In tho thirty-first congress
Cass was second to Henry ('lay
on the committee which formulat
ed the celebrated and historical
"compromise measures'' of that
day, and was chosen second only
for Ihe reason that he himself
desired and strongly urged the
policy and propriety of placing
the great whig Kentucky leader
flrsl on that committee. Cass
supported the measures reported
by this committee with the excep
tion of the "fugitive slave law,"
for which he refused to vole, al
though in his seat at the time of
its passage.
Nominee for President in 1848.
In the democratic national con
vention of 18i8, Lewis Cass was
the nominee for president, receiv
ing on the fourth ballot ten more
voles than the necessary two
thirds. He was defeated through
divisions on the slavery question,
which caused him to lose New
York and Pennsylvania. But at
this election Cass received the
electoral vote of one-half the
slates, including New Hampshire,
Ihe stale of his birth; Ohio and
the entire northwest. In 1852, in
the democratic national conven
lion, Cass was again a candidate
for the nomination for president,
and led Ihe poll during forty-nine
ballots, but did not secure the
number of votes under the two
thirds rule.
Was Ro-Elected Senator From
Michigan.
'On accepting (he nomination
for president in 1818, Cass re
signed the senatniship from
Michigan, hut was re-elected up
on the assembling of the Michi
gan legislature in 18S;, lo serve
out his own unexpired term, and
continued as senator from Michi
gan until 1857
During his service in the senate!
he advocated a homestead law
and favored the peaceable pur
chase of Cuba b Ihe United
Stales. In sentiment ('ass was
against Ihe institution nf slavery
as it then existed in the United
States, but contended that it was
beyond the interference of (he
general government, except to
protect its constitutional status.
Member of Buchanan's Cabinet.
On leaving the senate in 18."7,
Cass was chosen and .amminled
secretary of slate bv James
Buchanan, president.
As such ollicer lie steadfastly
adhered lo (he doctrine that be
had so long advocated concern
ing the slavery question, upon
which the north and south were
about (o engage in one of the
greatest wars of ancient or mod
ern history. On April 17, 1801,
Cass addressed the llrst war meet
ing, held in Detroit, Michigan, and
in that historic speech appealed
to the people, not only of Michi
gan, but or Ihe United States, to '
stand by the Union. At this time
Cass was nearly 7l years old, but.
his devotion and fealty to the
United Stales was as strong and
devoted as when 25 years old ho
made that historic report against
the arch conspirator, Aaron Burr,
of whom mention has been made.
Before the end of President
Buchanan's administration Lewis
Cass resigned as secretary of
state and retired to his home at
Detroit, Michigan, where he died
June 17, 1800, at the great age
of 83 years, 8 mouths and 8 days.
Lewis Cass and J. Sterling Morton
Closo and Intimate Friends.
People of Nebraska, generally,
know much of the life history of
the late Hon. J. Sterling Morton
of Arbor Lodge, neur Nebraska
City, Nidi. Tin writer of this
sketch well remembers his first
meeting with this distinguished
and most eminent gent lenian, w ho
did so much Jo ninke Nebraska
iiiflui'iil ial ami famou. This was
in August, 180 i, on his first, visit,
to Nebraska City. Morton at. that
time was editor of I lie Nebraska
City News, comparal iveh a oung
man, only about. 32 ears old, and
Ihe writer of this kerh jut
past 20.
Mr. Morion li.nk a regular
scholastic mursc in t hat promin
ent ami famous college known as
Ann Arbor, located near Detroit,
Michigan, the home of Lewis
('ass. Morion, as a boy, and (lass,
somewhat advanced in years, as
well as in knowledge and experi
ence, became (dose and intimate
friends.
That personal friendship had
become so strong thai, on Mor
ton's re val to Nebraska in
(ieneral Cass gave lo Mor
ton that beautiful oil painting
which hangs on the wall just back
of the judge's rostrum in the dis
trict court room in Ihe court
house at Plaltsmotil h, Cass coun
ty, Nebraska.
Presents Picture to Cass County.
People of Cass county will re
member the great struggle over
the contest to vole bonds to se
cure (he creel ion of (he present,
magnificent court house at Platts
mouth. But the sum of $80,00(1
in bonds was voted, although a
suit to restrain Ihe issuance of
Ihe bonds, for a lime, tied the
matter up in the courts. The late
Hon. Levi (i. Todd was plaint iff in
this suit and the case was tried
before Judge JelTcrson II. Brnnd,
then a district judge. The case
was bitterly contested arid Judge
Broady decided against the issu
ance of Ihe bonds for reasons,
believed by that abb; jurist, to be
gooil and valid ones. The case
was taken to the supreme court of
Nebraska, and by that tribunal
Judge Broady was reversed, Ihe
case ordered dismissed and bonds
issued, that able jurist, Supreme
Court Judge Samuel Maxwell,
writing the opinion of reversal.
The bonds were issued and work
progressed rapidly, and soon that
magnillcenl court house was
ready for dedication. A time was
selected for this ceremony and
Hon. J. Sterling Morton was
specially invited to deliver Ihe
dedicaloi'v address. He came from
his home at Arbor Lodge and in
th presence of a large and en
thusiastic audience, delivered a
masterly and beautiful address.
But Mr. Morton not only de
livered an address that was grand
ami beautiful and which fairly
electrified that large audience in
(he district court
room, but he