Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-10-23

| in the former year he won the proud title of tht
I" Hero Of Humanity" by nursing the sick anG
dying troops Of his army, upon which the Asiaic
cholera fell bghtngly, on his march to the field d
the Black Hawk war-a war which, in the same
year, he brought to a just and favorable issue By
negotiation, and not by force of arms. At sub
sequent period, in 1887, he effected the peaceable
removal of the Cherokees from the State of Georgia
| in manner that won the gratitude of the indians
and the admiration of the whole country.
But Gen ScoTT's services to his country have not
been confined to those only of military character
He has from time to time been entrusted with the
performance of civil duties of an important and
delicate nature, which could only have been sue
cessfully discharged by the exercise of great dis
erection and ability.
In 1882, when the Union was threatened by
South Carolina, and civil war was imminent he
was selected by President JACKSON as confidential
agent of the Government to proceed to the scene
of excitement, for the purpose of adopting such
measures as he might think necessary to sustain the
law and preserve the peace of the country Gen
CAss was then Secretary of War, and in his official
confidential order to Gen. ScoTT, dated on the 18th
of November, Gen. Cass says:
sThe state of affairs in South Carolina has occasioned
much soctude to the President. He INDUCES the hope
that the intelligence and patriotism of her citizens will
prevent any nfracon of the Constitution and laws of
the General Government. But, while he anxiously looks
for this result he deems it possible from the information
he has that in the first eervescence of feeling rash
attempt may be made by individuals to take possession
of the forts of the United States in the harbor of Charles
ton. The possibility of such furnishes suf-
cient for guarding against it, and the President
is therefore anxious that the situation and of de-
fence of these Notifications should be inspected by
officer Of experiences wo could also estimate and propide for
any dangers 10 ehich they may be exposed He has
CONFIDENCE JUDGMENT DISCRETION and it is
his wish that you repair Immediately to Charleston and
examine every thing connected with the Notifications
! GU at liberty to take such measures either by
strengthening these offences by reinforcing their gar
rsons with troops drawn from any other posts you
may think prudence and just precaution require Your
duty cW be one Of great Importance and Of great detieacy
The result proved that Gen JACKSON knew his
man when he selected Gen SCOTT for this impor-
tant mission. Regarding the propriety and pru-
dence with which he acted, we have the reliable
testimony of BENJAMIN WATKINS LEIGH, ESQ.,,
who went to Charleston as the bearer of certain
resolutions of the Legislature Of Virginia, intended
to restore pacific relations between South Carolina
and the Federal authorities. That gentleman, in
letter, thus speaks of the conduct of Gen. SCoTT
81 was at Charleston when he arrived and assumed
the command which he did without parade fuss. No
who had not opportunity of observing the spot
the excitement that existed can have adequate
cepon OF the delicacy of the trust Gen. SCoTT had
large acquaintance with the people of Charleston-he
their friend but his situation was such that many
the great majority Of them, looked upon him public
enemy He thought that the first drop of blood shed in
civil between the United States and of the States
would prove immedicable wound which would end in
change of institutions. He resolved if it
possible, TO prevent resort to arms and nothing could
have been more judicious than his conduct. Far from
being prone to take offence, he kept his temper under
the srctest guard and most careful to avoid giving
occasion for offence yet he held himself ready to act if
it should become necessary and he let that be distinctly
understood lie sought the society of the leading Multi
hers and took TO say word to them the
subject Of political differences he treated them
friend From the beginning to the end his conduct
conciaory it firm and sincere evincing that
that his principal object and purpose peace. lie
perfectly successful when the least imprudence might
have resulted in serious collision
No one, to use the language of contemporary
who rightly appreciates the facts of this most crit
cal passage Of American history, fail to under
stand the trying position in which Gen. SooTT wa:
placed in relation to it. But his extraordinary sa
gacty, sef-command, and devotion to the Union
served him on this as on all similar occasions in hi
eventful life and the result illustrates the infinite
resources Of his mind, no matter what the exigcncy
may be that calls upon him for counsel or action
In the present instance he made himself the agent
of peace while he was ostensibly the servant o.
war; with all the insignia of offensive intention:
and authority, he contrved in fact to be recognised
as offering the olive branch to the misguided spirits
who in open revolt against the sovereign laws
Of the nation and with magazine beneath his feet
which the least spark Of indiscretion might have
kndled into an explosion that would have rent the
fabric Of the Union into atoms, he succeeded in
averting the jealousy which his own presence in the
scene was fitted to excite and in calming the loca
agitation which had precluded the influence of ma
tional and patriotic sentiments.
The troubles on the Niagara frontier in 1878
which threatened so seriously the peace Of the
i try, another occasion on which the eminent
abilities and prudence Of Gen. SCoTT were invoked
by the Government. Every body remembers the
intense excitement which then existed along oul
Northern border. The alternative of peace or wal
was in his own hands. President VAN buren,
having the same confidence in his discretion as wa,
entertained by Gen. JACKSON, invested him with
the most ample authority to take whatever steps h
might think necessary to preserve the laws and the
honor Of the country. The Washington Globe,
then the official paper and central organ Of the De
mocratic party, in its number Of the 9th of June