Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-04-26
THE COURT OF INQUIRY


Like noble lion a. bay. worried, but not intim.
idated by the swapping and barking of the canine
pack let loose upon him by some royal huntsman
the Commander in Chief OF our army is presented
10 the twenty millions Of his admirinp and CRATE
ful feow-ctlzens, in the attitude of a criminal on
trial IN the hostile capital captured by his genius
and valor Those who have been instrumental in
bringing about such notifying spectacle as this
must place very low estimate UPON the character
of people to expect that it will elicit from them
any other sentiments than those of the steInest re-
buke, the most scorchng, whitening, aDnihilaiinn
scorn and indignation.
The peoples hearts are not yet so scared and
dried up by the fires of party passion-their per
ceptions have not become so Slunted. or their pa
trotism cooled down to the zero point, that they
can look on such scenes as presented in
the city Of Mexico and not feel that gross indip-
nifty has been offered to the national glory-a stain
cast upon escutcheon. dark page added to our
history. which only the loud and unanimous voice
Of the people can expunge and obliterae.
The sober second thought of a noble and CRATE
full people will pronounce the trial of Winfield
Scott, under the circumstances, and the dismissal
pre-acquitial of his accuser without parallel in
injustice, in sordid, calculating, cold Hearted ngra
1 tltude. 1t has no redeeming or palliatiug views
1t has not the shadow OF an excuse, reason, or JUST
catlon. 1t stands alone, solitary case in our his
tory at least Of successful General being tried for
doing his duty for defending the glory of our army
and coun'Ty-tred by his Junior officers in the
very scene of his uoblest exploits-and made TO
stand there, before the world the target for the low
hate and cunning Of intriguants whom his favor had
warmed into existence, and whose malice, other
wise impotent, government patronage has supplied
! with sting.
This attitude is sufficiently humiliating in any
view, but when IT comes to that point that VIM. j.
| Worth can rise before Court Martial in the City
| of Mexico and hurl in the teeth Of Winfield Scott
the approval Of his conduct by the Government, and
, the condemnation Of his Commander in Chief, il
passes the bounds Of human patience, and makes US
/ sick at heart.
And who is the officer with whom the govern
ment has taken sides against Winfield Scott? is
he the same who abandoned his post on punctio
when our army lay under the threatening cannon
Of the cnemy2 Is he the same who, whilst in this
city, spoke in terms Of contempt of the noble old
General by whose magnantniy. with the aid Of
PsrsifoT +. Smiths skill and generaship, he was
enabled TO regain his position in the army Is he
the same Of whom the patriotic Gaines declared in
this city, when Informed of his resignation. that he
looked upon him deserter in time Of war; ],
he the same officer whose conduct at Pucbla wa,
pronounced by Generals Quitnan Twlggs anC
Smith highly ptejudria TO :he honor and safety o
our armyl Is no the same officer who walked u,
one morning a staunch Democrat, when no had al
t ways been Wing before, and as suddenly oecam
the friend and ally Of another officer who befor
this, had been the constant theme Of his ridicul
and abuseS