The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-04-07
asnsrals Scott ma r.xlor.


Some days ago, Col. Webb, of the Courier and
Enquirer, fancying that he was called on to cor
rect report in circulation to the effect that Gems
Scott and Taylor were not on the best OF terms,
published note purporting to be history of the
intercourse between these Two Generals during the
short stay of Gen. Scott at Washington. Soon at.
forwards counter statement was made, denying
most of the facts in Col Webb's note, and satsfac
Gen. Scott towards the President. 1t is unneces-
sary to copy the two notes, nasmuch as the second
entirely settles the difficulty that was raised by the
first; and Gen. Scott has been SO often placed be-
fore the public in ridiculous light, that we do
not feel disposed to laugh any longer at the weak
ness of one who has rendered such illustrious SER
vices to the country. Even were the statements
of Col. Webb's card true, it did not become him,
who was once warm friend of Gen. ScOtt's to
expose the old hero to public ridicule, gall
ing still, to public pity. But if, as the counter
statement asserts, Col. Webb has made incorrect
statements, then the veteran editor, and would.be
diplomatist, is placed in very unenviable posi-
ton. He appears as the detractor of great
name-of a name that will be long remembered by
Americans, notwithstanding the ridiculous associa-
tons that may be connected with it.
We are sorry that leading member of the Amer
lean press should be the principal agent in bringing
before the public any such scandal as that pub.
lshed in the Courier and Enquirer. The inter-
course between General Scott and the President
apart from official services-should, in the eye of
the press, be as sacred as the private intercourse
between any other two gentlemen in the country.
The press has more right to drag before the pub
lie gaze the private conduct of Generals Taylor and
Scott, than it has to invade the sAncty of the do
nestle hearth and expose all the chickering's and
squabbles of family life. Especially does it become
any one of generous feeling to throw mantle over
the nakedness Of those who have earned the graft
tude and the admiration of the whole country. The
soul that delights in the degradation of high name,
that pricks at and exasperates the sores and weak
nesses of noble nature, that forgetting the ncon-
sstencies of humanity and expects perfection from
public men, is not fit to be one of the Priesthood of
the Press. If the press is reach that height
of power at which it is capable of arriving; if it is
ever to attain the sacred and priestly dignity to
which it should be elevated, it must be by despis-
ing the petty scandals of personalities, and dealing
only with those great ideas which are of public and
perpetual Importance. The press should aim at
being the mind and thought of the country and
for this it must cease to Nok at individuals, and
regard only masses and their movements OF what
import to the community is it whether the Pres-
dent and General Scott friendly or cool toward
each other! What principle does their friendship
advances What idea will their enmity destroy
Such things may be of Importance in a country
governed by court but it is the idlest curiosity,
or the verest impertinence, for such scandal to
attract attention in land thoroughly and practi-
cally democratic. With us, persons, no matter
how great in intellect, or how excited in station,
are but ephemer of an hour, weeds flung from
the rock on Oceans foam; but principles,
thoughts, ideas, are eternal as the mind whence
they derive their origin. 1t is these latter that
modify national feeling and national action and it
is to these that the press should direct its attention
As one of the great thinking powers of society the
press is worthy of all consideration as a mere
it becomes not only despicabe but
detestable.