The republic., 1851-02-15
Msjer General Winfield Scott.


Mstor General Winfield Scott.
The recent movement in the Senate on the
joint resolution to create the grade Of lieutenant
general, to be filled by brevet only, univer-
sally known TO have been proposed to enable
the PRESIDENT to acknowledge by brevet
commission the "eminent services" Of General
Scorr in the war with Mexico, called out
some debate, tinctured with shade Of unwil-
lingness to pay this tribute to the extraordinary
genius Of the General. That such proposal
should have met with some opposition was.
perhaps, not unexpected, even to the General
himself, if from no other consideration than
that there were other great men with the Ameri-
can army, engaged in the Mexican war, whose
fame it might be imagined would be in some
way brought into competition with that of Gen.
eral ScoTr, in the vote upon the resolution.
But it should be recollected that the true ques-
tion in this case, assuming (for there is need Of
concealing iD that the compliment was in
tended for General SCorr, is, as to the claims
of the General himself--his own individual
claims-and not his claims as compared with
those of others. ea 94ra
Let this be borne in mind, and then let any
dispassionate man, setting aside all comparisons
and all political views, simply ask himself a
few plain questions; first, as to what constitutes
true greatness, and then, as to whether General
ScoTT has fulfilled the conditions emitting
him to be classed among truly great men.
The great modern German poet, perhaps the
greatest poet since SHAKsPEARE, has set it down
as among the marks of great man that ne
must have the genius to conceive clearly dis
tinct object, with the knowledge and ability to
bring the means into action necessary to secure
the accomplishment Of the object. Let US take
one point at time, and, in view of this mark
of great man, let us see how General Scorr
has fulfilled the condition; and, if he has full
filled the condition, let us see, at the same
time, whether he has employed his ability in
the service of his country.
1t may be seen, by the documents printed by
order of Congress, that General Soorr, before
leaving the capital Of his country for the seat Of
war, proposed plan for ending the war with
Mexico, with honor to his country. Without
having had the smallest agency himself in
bringing on the war, and being Of the party, SO
far as of any party, supposed to be opposed to
the war, yet, finding the country engaged in
| the war. he came forward like patriot, with
clear and distinct plan for ending itwith honor;
and not only made the conception of this plan
in the city of Washington, but perfectly ma
tured it, even to its minutest details, before
leaving this city. Let any one examine the
memorials addressed by the General to the War
Department, exhibiting his plan, and then look
at the history Of the campaign itself, and he
will be amazed at the directness and clearness
pleteness and mnuteness Of the means indi-
Gated for securing the success Of the plan, with
the prescience with which the actual result was
foreseen. M
This greatness, so strikingly exhibited on a
grand scale before the campaign was COM
menced, was no less shown in every operation
and field of battle, from Vera Cruz to the Mex
ican capital. A most remarkable instance of it
was exhibited at the battle of Cerro Gordo. So
completely was the modus operandi of the bat
tie, and its immediate consequences, set forth in
the Order for the battle, directing the manner
of accomplishing the object, that the London
Times could not refrain from expressing its ad
miration and establishment, pointing out the
Order as in some sort history Of the events
and consequences Of the battle. The same pre-
science marked the movement to Puebla, and
then again the advance into the valley of Mex
| leo, and, finally, the entrance into the city
| itself. All of the material strategetc opera
| tions in the valley-such as threatening the
Pinon in front Of the city on the main route,
while the rear of the American army was cum-
ing up, to turn off by the Chalco route-were
distinctly planned at Puebla and the city was
finally assaulted and entered precisely as it was
intended to enter it, on clear and well-digest-
ed plan, before the General set his foot in the
stirrup to leave the city Of Puebla. And so
perfectly certain was he of his plans, and of his
ability to execute them, that, by public proc
lamation issued from Jalapa, before advancing
even to Puebla, he distinctly forewarned the
Mexicans that he would enter their capital un-
less they agreed to terms of peace. Indeed,
the whole campaign seems more like dream
like brilliant romance-than reality.
But without dwelling on particulars, it is
enough that the campaign of General Scorr
did put an end to the war, with honor to his
country; that this object was clearly and dis
tinctly conceived, as his memorials to the War
Department will prove; and that, in fine, the
event itself followed, according to his plan, and
under his own immediate direction. That he
had able and gallant troops no one is more ready
to acknowledge than the General himself; but
he included their employment in his plan Of
campaign, knowing (no one knew better) how
far he could rely upon them. No general car
ries on war without troops. , #
Another indication Of true greatness must be
a regard to the claims Of civilization and hu-
manity; for it is no solecism to speak Of civil
lied war. large humanity, without genius,
is universally honored simply as goodness; but,