Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-05-12
Court of Inquiry.sGen. Scott.

The following spirited and eloquent article re-
ferring to the position in which the Administra-
ton has placed the Conqueror of Mexico, the
General whose magnificent abilities as Com
mander, whose untiring ard devoted iatfulncss
to the great trust committed to him. and whose
splendid successes In the field, entitle him to the
highest honor, are from the n. o. Della. 1t is
a Just tribute to the SCARED veteran, WINFIELD
Sc6rT, who will receive honor from his country
men proportioned to the contumely and disgrace
that is attempted to be heaped upon HIM by the
President and his minions.
The interrogatorics below referring to Gen.
WORTH, cover charges against that Officer that
are perfectly neutrality-suspicious. they are
undenable true. With all his unquestioncd
gallaniry and impetuosity in battle, General
Worth is about the last man in the Army who
should present himself in contrast, in any res
pect, with Gen. ScorT. The position only serves
to magnify The HWieneSSes Of his character.
| Like a noble lion hay worried but not intmidat-
ed by the swapping and barking OF the canine pack let
loose upon hun by some royal huntsnen' me ooni-
mander- chief OF our army Is presented 10 the tweh-
~ millions OF his admiring and grateful below citizens
in the tttude of n criminal on trial in the capital cap
tured by his genir. and vuof. Those who have been
instrumental in bringing about such mcr.iyIng spec
table az this m,.s: place very os~ estimate upon the
character OF our people to expect tia will eci, from
them any other sentiments but those OF the sterRes re-
buke, the most scorching, annhilating scorn and m
dignation. ~ -
by the fires Of party passion their perceptions have not
become SO bluned, their patriotism cooled down to
the zero point that they can look or such scenes as are
presented in the city OF Mexico, and not feel that
gross ndgnity has been offered the national glory,
| n stain east upon escUcheon, dark page added
to our history, which only the loud and unanimous
voice OF the people can expunge or obtera,e
The sober SECOND thought Of noble and grateful
people will pronounce tie trial Of Winfield Scott. un-
der the circumstance, and the dismissal prc-acqutu
OF his accuser, without parallel in injustice IN sodd
calculating cod-heared ingratitude. 1t Ia.
dee,nng or p1llian5 views it has not the shadow OF
an excuse, reason or qualification. |, s,auds alone
solitary case IN olr history al least ct successful Cen
eral being tried for doing bis duty, Tor defending the
glory OF our army and country, tired by his junior o-
GERS in the very scenes OF his lioblest exploits, aud
made to stand there, before the world the target for
the low hate and cunning of lntriguan,s whom his ia
vor had warmed into existence, and whose malice.
otherwise lmpotent, government patronage had sup
Piled with sting.
This attitude is sufficiently humlliating in any view.
but when it comes 10 that point, that VIM J. Worth
can rise before a Court Martial in the Ciiy OF Mexico
and hur in the teeth OF Winfield Scott the approval
his conduct by the Government and the condemnation
Of his Commander in Chief passes the bounds OF hui
man patience, and made US sick at heart.
And who rs the officer with whom the Government
has taken sides agars. Winfield Scoul Is he the
same who abandoned his post or punctillio when
our army lay under the threatening cannon OF tue
enemy Is he the same who, Wills, IN this city, spoke
in terms OF contempt OF the noble old General by
whose maglannllty, with TIE AID OF Peislior + SmlIhs
skill and generalsp lie was enable gain his po
sition in the army Is he the of whom the pa
tro,lc Gaines declared IN this city, when informed OF
his resignation, that he looked upon HIM as deserter
III .he time OF War Is he the office whose
conduct at Puebia pronounced by Generals QUIT
man, Twiggs, and smith highly preIudlclal to hc
honor and safety OF army is he the same office
who walked up morning staunch Democrat,
, when he had always been Wig before, and as sud-
denly become the friend and ally oi another officer,
xNh bet,r lni Dtfn lie % In
ridcue and abuse
II this is the officer who has been put forward to
,arn, and insult Winfield Scott, we think the choice
is an admirable one That noble old commander, who,
throughout the trying of an unequaled cam
paign, stood noby by the flag of his country and de
voted himself with such sing elndedness To the glory
OF whole army is iair game for those who, IN all
their deeds, rocked OF aught hut their selfish
$ ends and personal aggrnndizcment.
But still, il the blow 10 be struck by such an
arm, we would have preferred that another than
the City of Mexico, had been selected for it, We
would have preferred other witnesses OF such degra-
dation than the enemies OF our country those enemies
who, conquered by the vulor and skill OF Winfield
Scott, would lind some soace Tor ignomlnes and mis-
fortunes, in n malicious Joy the blow thus aimed
by power al the chief whose strong arm has prostra
Ted them. They should have ordered scott TO Wash
ington, and there Cour, surrounded by political IN
triguanis, might have conducted ito Proceedings to
any length and 10 any conclusion, without ehcIiing
much attention or respect from the people,
There are some persons who enbeavor to prejudice
the position OF General Scott, by dwelling on the
warmth of temper displayed by him. who unable TO
impeach the truth of the facts alleged and proved by
him. strive 10 weaken their effect by harpins upon the
testineSs Of his temper md the mpudence OF his AN
guage This is desperate resort. The people how
ever, are not wont TO expect great patience and mode
ration ~ gallant officer, badgered and prosecuted
as General Scott has been. Andrew Jackson, though
seldom wrong, was not very mealy mouthed IN his
# language towards those who crossed the path OF his
. duty The people supported aud luslhed hun And
so the people in spite OF the puny efforts OF the patti
sans. will excuse in Winfield Scott, even stronger Ian
guage than any he has yet used in designating the
D conduct OF those who brought upon the country the
. the shameful scene now exhibited in the Capital OF
Mexico.