Daily American telegraph., 1852-07-03
General scott a. a civilian.

TO those not familiar with the distinguished
ciVic services of Winfield Scott, and who lend too
ready an ear to those who lightly say, I" Oh, yes,
General Scott is a very good general, but that is
all, we commend the following manly and de-
served tribute to his achievements as Statesman,
from the Philadelphia News, paper not fayora-
BILE to his nomination;
:" From time to time he has been intrusted by
the government with the performance of other
duties than those properly belonging to mill
tary officer-duties of the most important and
delicate nature, which could only be success
fully performed by the exercise of great discre-
tion and ability. lin 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 pro-
ceed to the scene of excitement for the purpose
of adopting such measures as he might think ne
cessary to sustain the law and preserve the peace
of the country. Gen. Cass was then Secretary
of War, and, in his official order to General Scott
he says:
"'Hs president Jackson) has full confidence in
your judgment and discretion, and it is his wish
that you repair Immediately to Charleston, and
examine everything connected with the fortifca-
tons. You are at liberty to take such measures,
either by strengthening those defsnces or rein.
forcing the garrisons with troops drawn from
any other posts, as you may think prudence and a
Just prscdufon require.
'''No one,' says Mr.. Leigh, who had no op.
portunity of observing on the spot the excitement
that existed, can have an adequate conception of
the delicacy Of this trust. General Scott had
large acquaintance with the people Of Charleston;
he was their friend but his situation was such
that many, the great majority of them, looked
upon him as public enemy.
\ "'He was resolved, if possible, to pre-
vent resort to arms, and nothing could have been
more judicious than his conduct. From the be.
ginning to the end, his conduct was as concilia-
tory as it was firm and sincere, convincing that
he knew his duty, and was resolved to perform
it, and yet that his principal object and purpose
was peace. He was perfectly successful when
the least imprudence might have resulted in a
when he selected Gen. Scott for this important
service.
"The troubles on the Niagara frontier in 1887,
which threatened so seriously the peace Of the
country, was another occasion on which the emil
nent abilities and prudence of Gen. Scott were
invoked by the government. Everybody remem-
bers the intense excitement which then existed
along our Northern border. The alternative of
peace or war was in his own hands. President
Van Buren, having the same confidence in his
discretion as was entertained by General Jack
son, invested him with the most ample authority
to take whatever steps he might think necessary
to preserve the laws and the honor Of his country
ellis conduct on that trying occasion elicited
the universal applause of the American people.
On his return from the border, the citizens of
Albany, and the members of the legislature of
New York, invited him to public supper Gov.
Marcy, prominent candidate for the Democratic
Presidential nomination, presided, or took prom
inent part in doing honor to the illustrous guest.
The following were among the regular toasts:
"'W Winfield Scott-not less the scholar than
the soldier, whose pen and sword have been
welded with equal skill in the defence of his
country
"'The Soldier-who has ever made the law of
the land his supreme rule of action, and who,
while he has always fulfilled its utmost require
ments has never in q single instance transcended
its limits
"'Our guest-the invncible champion of our
rights, the triumphant vindicator of our laws