The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-21
The Mexican Bride.

The Hos. John M. Clayton. OF the Galphin cabinet is
entitled the credit believe Of having 6rs announced
to the world that General Scott did actually reject
very tempting offer to desert the coors OF the American
army to renounce bis country. and become King EN-
peor or dictator OF Mexico The story eagerly caught
up by The wing press, aud is thought by the wing party
to furnish conclusive evidence why General Scott should
De elected TO the presidency AT best il only proves that
General Scott is incapable from mercenary motives, OF
turning traitor TO his country but are not permitted
even 10 draw this conclusion from the fact. il fact il
be, until know the exact intensity OF the temptation
which brought TO bear upon his honor. is said
that the dominion OF Mexico profered to him but.
upon what authority And wbatguaranee was he TO have
that Santa Anna would drive him from the country in
six monlhsi These important points in the case and
must be fully explained before canagee that Gen Scott
is entitled great credit for rejecting the Mexican offer
True ii is that million OF dollarsM Mexican dollars
struck This a considerable item, and be placed
to the credit OF the General in summing up the balance
Of applause due him. But really. is it much that
an American citizen should ask to be rewarded for refu
sing TO be,ray his country If man commits theft he
goes 10 the penitentiay but gentleman is not thoh
worthy Of especial honor if he lets slip an opportunity to
PICK poCktt Iidu ucDtTd SCOU dcCeueu 10 the OHef
OF the Mexican merchants, his would have been
covered with undyng nfamy but he scarcely earned the
presidency by doing what it the deepest Disgrace
not 10 do. The wing press at what they call the
Negative merits of the democratic candidate. We would
blush TO claim for him the negative merit of not being
traitor. In the estimation Of the whig press spurn
bride may be triumph OF honor worthy of extraordinary
commendation--we regard it something of disgrace
to have it suspected that ones virtue might yield
sordl temptation.
Concedng, however, that General Scott did reject the
Mexican offer, he is entitled credit which the SOL
ders Of the ranks do not deserve for they, too,
were approached with brides, and refused to desert
their country On the l93d page of the first volume of
Ripleys History of the Mexican War read, that "on
hearing of Taylors advance from Ceravo, he [Ampu-
dial issued another proclamation, calling upon the Amer
lean soldiers to desert, promising them good treatment and
reDdrd The inducements, such they were, set
forth in handbs, which srewn along the line OF
march Of the American army. They had but lille effect
hooeper for there ew ioho chose ieaue their coors
engage IN sruce prscariou and ankes that of
MEXICO" And not American soldiers only, but Santa
Anna even, corrupt he is supposed to be- refused
sell himself. General Scott proposed TO buy him for
million Of dollars but his virtue became obstinate, after
he got the first insiament OF $4,000 and he repudiaed
the contract And no doubt this negotiation induced the
offer General Scottit being very natural mistake in
Mexican to infer that who would propose 10
buy another would sell himself.