Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1848-02-12
NUMBER 81.
TRIBUTE TO GENERAL. SCOTT.

At dinner given 10 Geaerais Gnltman and
Shields by tie citizens Of Washington, The
following beautiful and Just tribute was paid
to Gen Seo,i by Gen. Shields in reply 10 the
following sen,imen. offered by Reverdy John
son, Of Maryland
"THE ARMY AND VOLUNTEERS If
they have not ye! conquered peace win
Mexico. their deeds have conquered for
Us permanent peace with the other ma
lions Of The world"
Gen. Shields rose and said MIR. Pres
iden', with your permission and the con-
sen; Of the company, wish, as snbor-
tiinate officer OF the American srmy, TIC
give the health Of that distinguished com
mander under whom my honorable and
gaiIan. friend and myself have had the
honor 10 serve. feel ii due from me TO
Gen Scott, applausel first as one Of his
officers having returned from the head
quarters of the army which he has so no.
bly, and successfully commanded. think
il st;!l further due. returning as do with
conviction that that army has been com
manded in such manner by Gen. Scott
as 10 call forth the applause, and estlma"
lion, and high regard, not only OF his
c0unirvme but Of the whole world. 1t
would be useless and foolish underla-
king On ny par, 10 attempt adequately 10
describe before this intelligent assembly
the skill and high military knowledge ex-
ercised By Gen. Scott in The conduct of
lha. army from It's landing at Vera Cruz
until it entered The garIia AT Mexico. Ii
should attempt the task | should fail -
| could not portray with Ius'ness the con-
duet Of that distinguished commander in
the hazardous enterprise in which he hae
been engaged. Bat will say this, tina. in
the history of the world in the annals Of
all military affairs and enterprises tina, I
have ever read, find no enterprise COM
parable with the capture OF Vera Cruz
One of the strongest positions III the
world-so strong, indeed, that /! was
deemed almost impregnable by the mill
,ary minds of the world. ard yet on
coast the mos, difficult of access in the
world il fell before an army Of $4,000
men with the loss of only two score. Ap.
pause.7 and the same skill which ena-
bIed him 10 accomplish this undertaking
slaslicti every movement ci his progress
until he entered the gates of Mexico.
In the remarks OF Major General Jesup,
respecting the bravery and gallanry and
intelligence Of the officers Of our army,
heartily concur. Neither England, France
nor any other country III The world has
such body of intelligent young officers
in the field as those who accompanied
Gen. Scot, into the city OF Mexico; and.
if ever entertained thought against
West Point, now make the amende hon.
orable. and recall anything 10 the preju-
dice Of that institution tina. may have
though, Or uttered. Grea. applause. -
So it is with regard to Gen. Scott;
ever harbored aueh, against him, po'lii-
cally or wise-lor hasty plate of
soup laughter or slow plate of soup
recall i. all, and make the amende to
| him also, and say tina, should be very
INV Hing to see any other man take an
army of ten thousand men into the valley
of Mexico. and attempt TO land them In
safety. Such an undertaking requires not
only unques'ionable bravery of the SOL
der and gaIlantry Of the officer. but
great experimenting military mind, that
had conquered and made himself master
Of his profession, and thus fitted himself
10 accomplish such an almost miraculous
enterprise.
With your permission, Mr.. President,
and that Of this company, | give you the
health Of Major General WINFIELD SCOTT
(Gfeat applause.)