The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-11

General Ssofs--Mr. Po,k-lf. Hawmsgnx.
Charges against General Scott Of graver nature
than those preferred by General Worth, are to be
submitted to the Court of Inquiry, sitting at Frede-
rick, for its investigation. These charges are,
Principally, for INSTRUMENTATION and disrespect; and
it is highly probable that General Scott has, IN
moments of strong excitement, permitted himself
10 indulge in the use of incorporate language when |
communicating with the department. HIS letters |
will Reproduced TO substantlate the charges. The |
language of those letters is extremely unwise and
will PROFESSIONALLY expose him to tcensure but II
is nevertheless certain that If he had not made |
charges against the personal friend of Mr.. Polk,
General Pillow, those letters would never have
been brought up In judgment against HIM. This,
perhaps, does not extenuate his error but the
other hand, does it not give this proposed investi
CATION the character OF pary and pitiful persecu
lion No man in the country will hold Genera
Scott free from those weaknesses that too often
dim the lusre of great minds but all the courts
martial Mr.. Polk can organize, will not be able to
persuade the people that General Scott has not done
his whole duty to his country, from the moment
he landed IN Mexico till the time he left il !; and
furthermore, that he has not won for the United
States solid military glory than has been acqui-
red since the revolution. There have been Europe
campaigns on a larger scale, and deciding more
important issues; but none more complete-none
more admirably planned, or more ably executed.
II is the General who planned and executed, and
shared all the dangers of this campaign, whom
Mr.. Polk now persecutes, because in the discharge
of his duty 10 his brother officers and himself he
has exposed the shameful conspiracy Of the Pres-
dent and has friends to give General Pillow the
credit that the sworn testimony elected before
the Court OF Inquiry, proves he was not entitled
to. AS soon as the examination touching General
Pillows conduct shall terminate, those other
charges against General Scott are to be submitted
10 the court and that veteran, out with the
incredible hardships Of the service, weakened by
sickness, and who has been able TO remain but
few days in the bosom of his family, is to be sub
lected TO yindichve and tedious prosecution.
This is to be the reward of his arduous labors in
the cause OF his country. In the eyes OF the
world will not the country be disgraced by this
foul transaction II does not much concern Mr..
Polk. He Is too insignificant to be affected by ii.
He never known before he thrust into his
present position, and he will be equally unknown
when he shall have retired TO private life For him
there is no accountability. The mantle of oblivion
has already covered him. The disgrace will be
10 the people. How the revilers OF republicanism
in Europe will scoff when they hear that the man
who carried our eagles triumphant from Vera
Cruz to Mexico, subjected to an Infamous
and harassing prosecution, because he has exposed
the slanderous reports circulated by Mr.. Polk and
his friends, for the purpose of giving OF the
Presidents favortes an undue share of the glory.
This is the consequence of raising to the Presi-
dency man whose sentiments are so ignoble and
so grovelling.
The Presidents organ, in order by the associa-
ton OF General Shields name, to cover the Odium
which attaches to the conduct of General Pillow,
has made especial and conspicuous notice of the
fact of those two officers travelling in company.
This ptiful attempt, by the use of General Shields
name, to reflect on General Pillow some portion of
the deserved popularity with which it is every
where hailed, is fully understood.
While on the subject of the army, VIII take
occasion TO say, that gross injustice has been done
Inv the President to those the ranks In
nine out of ten reports of the officers the desperate
bravery OF the common soldiers Is warmly COM
mended; and notwithstanding these earnest praises,
there have not been more than half dozen promo
tlons from the ranks during the What
thorough democrat is this good Mr. Polk Some
time since gallant young man, who had served
with credit sergeant of marines, in California,
under Commodore Stockton, and who was by
birth and education greatly superior to Mr. Polk
himself, applied on the strength of testimonials
from his superior officers, including the Commo-
dore himself for lieutenancy. 1t was refused and
the appointment was given, at the request OF lady,
a relative, with other claim than that he hap
pcncd to be the only member of her family who
was not IN Office. There are numerous INSTANCES
OF this nature, of daily occurrence. In fact, the
people are very much deceived If they believe that
single office in the gift of the President is
obtained by merit. One must be the nephew
cousin of some member of Congress, or of some OF
those members who voted for Mr.. Folks election
as Speaker of the House of Representatives, or
have the influence of lady, to be able to pro-
cure any Office under the government.
/ may mention, that the young sergeant of ma
rines is lrishman, and that was doubtless OF
the reasons why he not appointed. learn
that Mr.. flanagan is attempting TO control the
Irish in New York on the ground that he is the
of Irishman, and that he voted for the Irish
relief bill last session. Unless he had avowed 1t,
Mr.. flanagan would certainly never be suspected
of having drop of Irish blood in his VEINS for he
is one OF the most unreliable of men. 1t is true
that he voted for the Irish relief bill, but it is also
true that he has lent himselfo be the plant nstru-
ment, for the vilest purposes, in the hands of man
who, so bitter is his hostility to everything Irish,
had prepared veto of that bill before il was acted
in the House of Representatives. Mr. Hanne-
gan may be proud of the country of his extraction
but really II has no reason to be proud of him.
GALvIENSIs.
WAsHINGToN June So O'Clock, p NJ.
Of