Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-05-17
Gen. Scott.

made by the federal politicians TO create
public sympathy for Gen. Scott, and to
produce the impression that the Adninistra-
tion and the head of the War Department
were envious of his growing fame. The
federal papers have even gone SO far as 10
charge upon the administration a covert
design of Withholding the necessary means
for carrying on the operations Of the army
for the express purpose of injuring and de-
stroying Gen. Scott. We cannot believe
that any intelligent whig even, can seri-
ously credit any such assertion. 1t is pre-
posterous to suppose that, after senSing to
the field Of carnage and Of death, he should
withhold from them necessary means Of
defence-that the administration should be
willing TO sacrifice our brave and valiant
army, merly TO crafty feeling of envy
towards General Scott. Yet, unnatural and
presumptious as would, be such supposi-
ton, the wings assert such:to be the fact
with as much assurance as though they re.
ally believ ed it to be true themselves.
A late number Of the Washington I'm.
ion contains q t,erfrom Gen. Scott to
the Secretary Of War, in which he em-
bodies all The charges made by the whig
presses and orators against the administra-
tion, and sets forth all his grievances and
complaints on account of the hostility OF
the administration towards him. In con-
necticn with this extraordinary letter the
Union publishes the reply Of the Secretary
Of War, defending his course against the
charges contained in SCOTS letter.
In order to get full understanding of
the whole matter, and that, Il the admins
tration has done Gen. Scott the wrong that
he and his friends charge, the public may
the better judge-nnd if these accusations
are wronglully preferred, to disabuso the
public mind in regard thereto-we propose
10 the publisher of the Star that both he
and ourselves lay these letters before our
respective readers, that they may be able
to form their own Judgment of the whole
matter.
Tha, Gen. Scott is skilful commander,
and has "done bis, country some service"
is not questioned by any one; and that the
administration has ever been ready to a.
ward him the full need Of praise for that
service we are satisfied. The closing par
agraph Of the Secretary's reply, which
we copy below. shows that there is no de-
sire on the part Of the Department at w ash
ington TO detract from his military fame.
The letter Of Gov. Marcy is long, yet
we shall endeavor hereafter to publish it
For the present we content ourselves with
copying the closing paragraph:
"In conclusion, may be permitted to
saw. that. as one of the Presidents advisers
/ h:d a full share in the responsibility of
the act which assigned you to the command
of our armies in Mexico. felt interested,
even more than naturally appertnined To-
nv official position, that success and glory
should signalize your operations. 1t was
nv duty to bring to your aid the efficient
co-operotion of the War Department.
never haQ iSetlHg THAI uu Ho' lot tui0hiAo
with the full md fair discharge Of these du-#
ty. / kno,c 1T has been Faithfully per-
formed There are some men Tor whom
enough cannot be done to make them grate-
ful, or even just, unless nets OF subseryien-
CIV and personal devo,edness are superadded.
From you expected bare justice, but have
been disappointed. | have found you my
accuser. In my vindcatiop, | have en-.
deayored to maintain defensive line; and
if have gone beyond it at any time, it has
been 10 repel unprovoked -aggressions. To
YOUR fame have cndeavored to be just. I
have been grati6ed With the many occa-
sions have ITO bear public testimony
to your ability and signal services as
military commander in tho field. II has
been, and, under any change in our per-
sonal relations, it will continue TO be, my
purpose to be liberal in my appreciation OF
your distinguished military merits. In re-
spect to your errors and your faults, though
Il could not be blind, I regret that you have
no: permitted me to be silent.
0FThe proceedings of the State Con-
ventioa which will be found in another col
5umn will meet tho full appreciation Of every
r n !. 4 81