The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-28
THE REPU BLIC.
From the Columbus (O.) Slate Journal, Sept. %.
A Vile SIander RepeIIed-Brilliant speech
OF General Scott TO the Germans.

Judge HEYL waited upon General SCOTT, and
on behalf OF some of our German citizens referred
to paragraph from the Westbote, German pa
per published in this city, and containing the state
ment that General Scott tied TO one tree and
logged fifteen Germans while in Mexico.
Other charges of his having hanged others,
cruelty and unlustly, were also referred to-
Never have we witnessed scene more imposing
than when the old chieftain, with quick and indiS-
nant response, repellei the false and malignant
charge Lofty in stature, and standing at least
four inches above the tallest OF those among whom
he stood, his form seemed gigantic, as with height
ened color and flashing eye, and wave OF his
hand that expressed calm defiance OF all such
assaiants, he uttered his emphatic protest against
suoh assaults as that paragraph presented:
New, and before unknown to me, are such
things as have now been told me. They surprise
and they pain me They at once concern all that
value personally, and aim a Llow at all that,
wherein, if know myself, have the highest pride.
fhey attack my own Identity! The principles
for which, had believed, need never search my
own bosom in vain, here undermined or denied
me! am met with charges OF Injustice and cru
city while leading American army through
Mc&wo, and while participating alike III its trials
and It's triumphs!
| "Gcntetnen, il ,odS my lot to lead an American
army UPON a foreign field. ] went, resolved To
Sust'!n, in the fore-rontof my progress, the high
tide ioatsr-niark of American Civilization,
in all Ito tnorui and civil virtue. The standard OF
Oon, and not the practtces OF that foreign coun
try, was the standard which sought for the gov
ernment OF meu's passions and the control OF the
license and excuses Of war. Alike to Americans,
whether native or Of foreign birth, and to Mex
cans, declared my purpose, and exhibited my
principles Of action.
~ pronulged the martial code. Doubtless you
all have read II. deemed 1t necessary. could do
nothing without it. 1t announced the spirit OF our
progress, and held Amenable to punishment oil
who forgot marhoh aud threatened to bring
shame upon our u4s, u.shonor to our arms, or a
rcproach upon our virtue! Without it we had not
conquered or II we had conquered, the brightest
trophy OF our conquest had been wanting. 1t would
have been physical triumph, and physical tri-
uiDph alone. humanity would have dsowned I'D.
promulged that order. Read il, and read it again
gentlemen, and then bear ME witness that it was
IN my heart, as it was almost hourly on my lips,
| for continued nonths, TO carry with American
arms, and under the American flag, even into an
enemys country, ali the elements Of social order,
and that regard for personal right that belonged
to our own free Institutions in the United States.
| eyes, soug to carry with me, and resolved to
maintain, at all hazards, among my own com
naud, and also that people among whom we
should be thrown, that high standard of virtue
and honor which We boasted at home. Had not
| been icas than an American, and recreant to the
highest interests of humanity, and the age
jolce in, If hal done less? They say hanged
some Germans, aad tied up and logged others.
Gentlemen, some persons sosre hanged in Mexico
The names of all Of them do not now recollect
| Whether any were Germans or not, know not
But for ,ohot-yes for what were they hanged?
hanged one for murder, gentlemen; hanged one
prolane and wicked church robbery. Al knt,o the
| laW that was over them. Every man of them knew
he would be held as answerabe for vile misdeeds
against the laws Of God and man, if be were
then upon American soil!
"For such crimss they suGered-for such crimes
as here, in your own Ohio-a land of law-would
have brought down upon them severe penalties.
and with equal ju'tice. Some did suffer death! But
their trial was lair, impartia and upon the same
principles Of cold law upon which they would
have been adjudsed guilty here among you. Do
some say hanged fifteen Germans, and that others
| were arraigned and logged without cause or trial
Gentlemen, know nothing OF it. 1t is ialse--it Is
| q LEAN invention, gentlemen-a LIE. see aged
citizens before me. l see eminent lawyers here.
And, gentlemen, you see me much eIcitsd But is
ii not for calse? For one ,uho for fifty years, hes
scarcely erey tuaiked, r0se Slept edtsn epe,l
taken cup Of coId ,catsr in the field, the tolon,
the camp, but that his thoughts Of his country
her uutues-her renO,Dn-her honor; TO be thus as
ssiled-t is MoNsTRous--it is 1NToLERABLE! Cen
| tlemen, did, with high hand, sustain the law I,
which, with uprightnass in my heart, determined
! to sustain. | did hang for murder! did hang for
rape! did hang Tor treason! and logged thieves
and pckpockets For, gentlemen, let me again
say, not only carried with me, but resolved,
with every resource could command, to sustain,
fearlessiy and .Bectually, in its virtue and its
choicest blessings, not only my own command, but
to deienceess nd peaoeab!e Mexicans, that civili
z-ton--yes, that Cksast.an civilization Of which
was proud to believe that army might appear a
| worthy representative.
"But. gentlemen, l was no respecter of persons.
| Am.rican MeIican-natiue-6orn foreign born;
tchorvsr kne,D the la,c and o6eyed 1t not-tUhoeper,
reckless of his own responsibilities, and the rights
OF others hdmptcd undf foot and set at naught the
! law that was over all, PUNISHED. did hang for
the crimes stated and would have hung hundred
seekers of innocent blood, and violators of female
chastity il many had bee the offenders! And for
| this, perverted and misshapcd, i am made answer
able TO u charge against which my every feeling re-
volts, and which my whole nature and my whole
lille r, pei No, gentlemen, it is lie (thc charge
as made, or that any were wrongtully punished, }
a false and GRoUSDLEss lie. am not unthankful to
| my good friend who hns told me Of these things,
IL was right. But, gentlemen, stand here, before
YOU, and declare as have already declared, and
again declare, that the principles that governed
my command in Mexico are those of my lie. To
that life in my country's service need not appeal
| In vain Tor answer now With equal freedom
and confidence do | throw myself upon the honest
verdict oil every man who with me served his
country in the fields OF hlexco."
| DEPARTURE OF GENERAL SCoTr.-At about 9
O'Clock yesterday the iiiustrious conqueror OF Mex
leo left this city Tor Ciceville Chillicothe, &c
&c., on his way to Maysviile, Kentucky. The ex-
element and Joy caused by his presence continued
unabaed till the last, and when the coach in which
he seated drove off, the weikn rang with
| shouts and cheers of "Huzza for Scott Thou
sands of citizens called upon him, and for each
one, without regard to aation position he had u
word in season. Every man, woman, and child
left his presence pleased and eightSd with the ur
banity of the General. A large nsmber Of German
and Irish citizens called upon him, and were treated
in the most hospitabe and cordial manner. The
vie Islander that he is vain, proud naughty, and
aristocrutic that he vii! not recognise speak to
C ,mmon man in citizens common dress, has re
ceived its death blow in this community. Our la
borers kno1D the story is false. They have had a
demonstration OF what his whole life has taught
| that he is a true gentleman, that he respects all
rlasses that he has hearty sympathy for the
masses everywhere. Such is General Scott. Such
have our people of all classes found him to be. -
POLITICAL DIscUssICN At CAARLEsTowN, Viz
GiNiA.--The Charlestswn (Va.) Free Press has the
FLOWING account of discussion in that town, in
which two of the Maryland Wings took part:
ION Monday last political discussion took plao,
at the court house in Charlestown. Charies J
Faulkner representative from this district, led of
in a speech of two hours. His remarks were SINH
lar to his Congressional and Reading speeches
except where he ldborsd TO vindcate his abolition
speech in the Legislature Of Virginia in 1882. HI
complained of the Wing press making extrac
from said speech, which exhibits him using ex
pressons far more 'nmcaP to the interests of thu
South than any thing which has emanated from th
rankest Abolitionists, yet he acknowledged they
were true extracts.
ale endeavored to make it appear that his cours
upon the tariff identical in view with Mr.