The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-25
WHERE Is GENERAL SCOTT?

General Scott and his friends have not for
long time been heard from But their policy
of "misterly inactivity IL far from unwise
There can be no doubt but that in the States
of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio the name
of General Scott without respect TO his claims
upon any political party, is very much stronger
than any other in the United States. The same
may be said of all the Northern States, in which
either a military spirit or love of conquest pre-
walls The distinguished General, who 80 ably
and perseverngly led the small army of his
countrymen through the most terrible dangers
and difficulties, to what were called the Halls
Of the Montezumas" more than any other man
in America attracts the popular attention and
gratitude These feelings Of admiration for a
great conqueror, of unbomdcd respect for mill
tary glory and Of personal obligation TO the
most skilful general we ourselves have but lit
tie sympathy with. But they certainly do ex-
list with vast masses Of our countrymen. Those
persons who in political affairs attempt to keep
them out of sight or to pretend ignorance of
them, are merely false or foolish That Wash
ington was elected President without the least
shadow Of opposition, was certainly owing TO
the prestige Of his military glory That Jack
son, Harrison, or Taylor, were ever elected ut
all 10 be Presidents, was only due 10 the fact
that they were successful soldiers, and to moth
ing else Out Of sixteen elections Of President
since the adoption Of the Constitution, six have
been made Of military chieftains and except for
the early death of General Harrison, IL il very
probable that the number six might have been
reckopcd seven Even in the cases Of Mr..
Adams and Mr. Van Buren,, in which civilians
were elected against military men, the defeated
soldiers were successful nj the next trials and
II il certainly fact worthy of note, that no
man of military reB0wD, who has ever been
nominated, has in the end failed 10 be elected
For all these reasons, it would seem that
General Scott is wise in holding his peace and
hiding his time Mr. Webster has announced
his candidacy, and the coldness with which his
name has been received already makes it GER
tain that the Wings will not receive or ac-
knowledge him for their candidate. Mr. Fill
more il now brought forward and for tho
next three or four months his pretcnsions will DO
urged with all the power Of the Government
press His name will probably be received
with less silence and Indifference than that Of
Mr.. Webster But, still, il will, before long,
appear 10 he quite IA unavailable. The North
will not be brought TO vote for the man that
signed the Fugitive Slave Bill, and the South
will refuse support 10 one who will not more
decidedly pronounce for Southern and slave
holding principles, than Mr.. Fillmore dares 10
do ih-h in|l $50
Therefore, we may consider IL almost a. Ger
tain M anything in the future can bc, that the
Wings must yet finally adopt General Scott as
their only available resource.
For ourselves and m fer M the Free Soil
party II concerned, II II not yet apparent that
there is any real choice between Mr. Fillmore
and Gen Scott, except that President Fillmore
has actually signed the Fugitive Slave Bill aud
that General Scott n not yet committed 70 IL
We give these spccuistious merely ns news d
the day, relating 70 political movements that
are quite apparent 70 IA, and that may he some
what interesting 10 our readers.
Fantfor (Kyl Commonwealth