Michigan historical collections. [Vol. 17]

286

ANNUAL MEETING, 1890.

political questions of the day in his own interesting manner. There
were parts of his speech in which he alluded to the past history of
the democratic party, and which was but the history of his own experience, which held that vast gathering spell-bound during its narration.
It was getting a most valuable part of our history from the distinguished
statesman who had helped make it. Reminiscences and incidents of the
last fifty years were made doubly interesting by- his manner of relating
them. Among them was the narration of his first meeting with a
young lieutenant of the army, as they were crossing the river at Sandusky, which held us with as much delight as the reading of one of
old Homer's narratives in the Iliad. "I noticed," said he, "a young
man with a keen black eye and a manly, soldierly bearing, as he
stepped into the boat at the head of his company. From the first his
appearance impressed me as a young man of mark. I soon formed his
acquaintance, and made up my mind that he had the material in him to
achieve eminence. I saw that he was taking the right course; active,
observing, keenly alive to his duty, without fault in his habits; I
watched with pride and pleasure his course while connected with the
army, and his after life, and I am happy to say here today, that I
have lived to see that young lieutenant attain to places of the highest
distinction in our country. You know him as John J. Crittenden."
As a public speaker Gen. Cass made no attempt to please, to impress
himself on his hearers; to captivate and carry the crowd with stirring
appeals, or "bursts of eloquence;" but you listened to his speech as
you did to a deeply interesting narrator, who held your rapt attention
through his whole story. He was truly the " Pylian Sage," speaking
the words of wisdom and instruction that came as most valuable lessons
to us from him whose life had been given to the service of his country
during a long and faithful public career. And each of those ten thousand listeners, whether democrats or republicans, (as many of the latter
were in the crowd) looked up to him as a venerable and wise statesman, and listened implicitly to his council and instruction.
One rather amusing incident occurred in his speech. In denouncing
some evil he attempted to quote Pope's well known lines."Vice is a monster of so frightful mein,
That to be hated needs but to be seen," etc.
He began, "Vice is a monster of such-such-such" here hesitating, he
began again-"Vice is a monster of such-such," and stopping short,
in a fit of impatience, he turned around to Gov. Barry, sitting on the
stage behind him, and exclaimed in a petulant tone-" Governor, what