Lewis Cass (American statesmen series) [Paperback]

Andrew C. McLaughlin (Author)

Book Description

Series: American statesmen series | Publication Date: March 1981

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1899. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XI SECRETARY OF STATE. -- SECESSION. -- THE LAST YEARS For the sake of as much perspicuity as limited space would allow, the history of "bleeding Kansas" under border ruffians has been thus briefly outlined, and the contest of arguments until the secession of the Southern States has been suggested in advance. It will now be necessary to turn from internal politics and the hurly-burly of the approaching "irrepressible conflict," and to look into the quieter paths of administration and diplomacy. Cass's more active career ended with the 4th of March, 1857. He remained a political mentor to many in his party and took a sad interest in the never-abating struggle; but he was old, the excitement of continual controversy was distasteful, and his new position fortunately gave him employment for which his experience and talents well fitted him. He accepted the office of secretary of state from President Buchanan, and entered upon his duties at once. His companions in the cabinet were Howell Cobb of Georgia, secretary of the treasury; John B. Floyd of Virginia, secretary of war; Isaac Toucey of Connecticut, secretary of the navy; Aaron V. Brown of Tennessee, postmaster-general; Jacob Thompson of Mississippi, secretary of the interior; and Jeremiah S. Black of Pennsylvania, attorney-general. This cabinet was an able one, but its four Southern members well indicated that the body of the Democratic party was in the South, and that an administration had begun which would treat slavery with tenderness and handle secession with gloves. A number of interesting diplomatic problems were offered for solution during the years of Cass's secretaryship. The Clayton-Bulwer treaty presented the usual amount of uncertainty and embarrassment, and an even more serious cause of disag...

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 390 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea House Pub (T) (March 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877541922
• ISBN-13: 978-0877541929
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,530,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An 1890s Biography, August 10, 2001

By 

James Gallen (St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lewis Cass (American statesmen)

Lewis Cass is one of the strangest biographies I have ever read. Only rarely in the book is Lewis Cass the center of the narrative. After reading the book, I still do not know if Lewis Cass was ever married or had a family. I know very little about his personality or disposition. I know only about his public career and some of the public issues with which he was involved during his long public career. Cass is presented almost exclusively through his public actions, statements and writings.

His public career is quite a story in itself. This native of New Hampshire move west into Ohio in time for Cass to become a general in the War of 1812, fighting on the front between Detroit and what is now Ontario. He then stayed in Michigan where he served 18 years as territorial governor.

Having grown into a National Statesman, Cass later served Andrew Jackson as Secretary of War, followed by a term as Ambassador to France. Upon to his return to the United States, Cass was a serious candidate for the Democratic nomination for President in 1844 before a deadlocked convention turned to James K. Polk. Four years later, Cass won the nomination, only to lose the election to Gen. Zachary Taylor, a loss which, according to the book, was probably attributable to the candidacy of former President Martin Van Buren on the Free Soil Ticket.

Presidential politics being behind him, Cass served two terms as Michigan's Senator until the rise of the Republican party swept him out of the Senate and into the cabinet President Buchanan's as Secretary of State. It was from this position that Cass watched the dissolution of the country as well as the cabinet in the waning days of that administration.

Returning to Michigan, Cass supported the cause of national unity until his death in 1866.

The most interesting thing about this book is the literary style in which it is written. Throughout the book, Cass is portrayed as a righteous character opposed by a series of villainous figures toward whom attention is directed in the particular sections of the book. Prominent among these are General Hull of the War of 1812, Andrew Jackson and James Buchanan. The general style is to relate a particular aspect of history and then allude to the public role which Cass played in it.

During the section on the War of 1812, Cass' position is contrasted favorably with that of Gen. Hull who is treated most roughly in the narrative. In the section on Cass' governorship of the Wisconsin territory, most of the attention is directed to the French inhabitants who occupied the territory at the start of Cass' tenure. A contrast is drawn the French, who are presented as happy but unambitious, and Cass who introduced American initiative and drive into the territory and, thereby, advanced it into the Western powerhouse which it became.

The section on his service in Jackson's cabinet portrays Jackson in a very unfavorable light, while praising Cass. Cass' service as Minster to France is presented most favorably.

Cass' Senate years were dominated primarily by the issues of slavery which were gradually tearing the nation apart. Cass is portrayed as the creator of the doctrine of Popular Sovereignty in which the voters of each territory would be permitted to decide the issue of slavery for itself. Swipes are taken at Stephen A. Douglas who is popularly remembered as the advocate of that position. The conclusion of the Senate service is seen against the backdrop of the swing of the Northwest from its tradition allegiance to the Democracy (Democratic Party) to the new Republican party which would soon sweep the area and the country into Civil War.

The service in Buchanan's cabinet is used to present the deterioration of the country as well as Buchanan's feeble efforts to deal with the problem.

The style of writing is shockingly judgmental in its treatment of the public figures portrayed in the book. While modern readers may expect to see facts presented in a way as to portray figures in favorable or unfavorable lights, we rarely expect to see the conclusions presented by strong and extreme adjectives.

What real value there is in this book is its portrayal of the general history of the times and places in which Cass played his roles in the nation's drama as portrayed in the 1890s. It is in seeing our history from through the 1890s eyes of the author that we can take the greatest lessons from this book.