Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-05-14


eHef report of his temarks:-
AS regards the question Of the nomination b,
me wings OF a candidate for the Presidency
Dir. Clayton said he was for Gen. Winfield
SCOT, aud he would say why he was for him
IL was not necessary, nor had he the time, to
60 INTO an elaborate review Of Gen SCOTS
pubic lite and services. These were well
known already to the people, and spoke elo-
quentIy OF the man. tie was content to OF
serve that he had known Gen. Scott long and
WeiI' ana there was not living more honora-
| oIe gentleman or truer patriot. The charge
made by some persons, that he was not fit for
the ONCE was ludicreusly erroneous; and
'hose who made 1t were either grossly ignorant
OF the matter or interested to misrepresent the
truth. He said that Gen. Scott possessed a
clear judgment and enlightened mud resnect,
| ing the political affairs of ME country that
he was lawyer b. education, having let his
! 'esslon In early life 10 serve the nation a a
sc''er; thai lie was well instructed in the
CO. suiuional law and history of the Union,
and acquainted with international irrspru-
dence; that, while lie was the able general; he
was also an accomplished scholar and pub icis,;
ana mat ne was competent,in point Of intellectual
strength and requirements, TO fill with credit
10 himself and advantage to the country. the
h'gh post OF lis chief magistrate. In referring
to his services, Mr.. CLAYTON said he had fought
more battles than any other American General,
and achieved more victories: his blood had
flowed freely, his life had been perled over and
over again for the people, his military career.
from first to last was continuous exhibition
OF devotion to the welfare and glory of that
country whose fame he had made illustrious
through the word. And yet he has been less
rewarded than any other public servant. Nav,
he has been cruelty wronged, aspersed, perse.
cuted, by men who were jealous of his high
merits and his deserved popularity. M-. G.
here spoke of the sudden and unjust recall of
Gen. Scott from the scene o: his brilliant tri.
umphs in Mexico, by President Polk, to be ar
raigned before petty court martial convened
10 try him on contemplate charges. Some
persons pretended to accuse him of being a
naughty, imperous and violent man. Did he
exhibit such temper, asked Mr. CLAYTON, un-
der the injustice of the government g.? What
othe7 man, exposed to the same provocation,
would have submitted with equal patience and
loyalty to Executive wrong and abuse What
other man, situated as he was at the time, at
the head of "A victorious, devoted army, in the
tuIl flush of triumph and conquest, would have
resisted so nobly, so firmly, the natural prompt
ings OF An outraged incensed spirit, and laid
down without hesitation the high command he
held, and returned az once to obey the orders OF
the government? Did this show haughtness
or Righteousness Nay, more than this, said
hr. C.--and he desired that all would mark
Wei the statement, for he made it on reliable au-
thority-at the very moment when Gen. Scott
was so cruelty, unjusty summoned to Wash.
nglon, al The close offhat brilliant series of sue
cesSeS whtch he crOwned puh the capture Of the
GUY q .HsricO, he lcaS rendered the PreS,dea-
cy OF The republic he had conquered, and offer.
ed me immediate possession Of a million and a
quarter Of dollars, # he toouM accept the posi.
non. But no. Under the keen pangs OF the
Ingrautude with which the administration OF his
LXn country was visiting him, he refused the
entering prize clung with undminished love
and hdeliy 10 the land he had served so long
and so well, and proceeded TO the national car
Ital to meet with all the loyalty Of patriotic
cItIzen, even the rancor and injustice of those
who were envous Of his laurels and eager 10
lnJure and degrade him. Would Won trust
such man? asked Mr.. Clayton. Is he enti-
tied TO your cont ence, as H law abiding, order
loving. loyal patriot? This was conspicu.
Gus instance OF the nobleness. the mapnanimj-
", the patience, the honesty, the forbearnp
meehness OF his character and he who cou,d
OBEY SO humbiy, under circumstances SO irving,
lhe sovereign power OF the constitution, is GER
fanny worthy of being implicitly entrusted with
Inc INCEST office IL the popular gift.