The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-08-04

over the many skirmishes in which he
was engaged-and l have no doubt
he has passed through hundreds of en-
gagements commonly called battles
for | desire to call your attention to
the considerations ] have mentioned,
and to some others Which occurred du-
ring the Mexican war. From Vera
Cruz to the City of Mexico, Winfield
Scott contended against the enemies
of his country with unvarying success,
amid difficulties almost uncxampled in
history, and penetrated, with a small
army of 10000 men, into an empire
of eleven millions of people, and at
last placed his country's flag upon the
nights of Chepultepec, and in the City
of Mexico itself. If there be ma
who does not feel a sentiment of graf
itude to Winfield Scott, let him read
the history of the battles of Cerro
Gordo, Churubusco, Chcpultcpec, &c. !;
and, lastly, the bloody fight which oc
cured in the City of Mexico, where
the old hero triumphantly sustained
the arms of his country in the midst
of a people who were completely sub
ducd, and compelled to make such
treaty as the Government Of this coun-
try proposed to dictate. What was
the reward of faithful soldier who
had done so much, and who suffered
so much for his country ? What was
his reward from the Government !
We find, after he was victorious, the
Government sent out supernumerarics,
making up an army of more than 3O,-
600 men, and took from him-when
the fighting was all over, and there
was no more necessity for a great gen
cral--took from him the command of
that army, and directed him to submit
himsclf-a Major General-to a trial,
upon false charges, before tribunal
of petty officers. And how did he
show himself? Instead of disregard
ing, as many would have done, he
obeyed the mandate which sought to
disgrace him, and we find him making
the military strictly subordinate to the
civil power. If there be any one
thing for which | honor him more than
another, it is that he has always, by
his example and practice, as well as by
his preaching and profession, maintain
ed the civi! as superior to the military
power. Suppose he had chosen tc
say, " | will not surrender the army
have led to victory will not yield
the power given me, at the will Of q
tyrant at home | will not suffer my
self to be disgraced and court-martial
led but | will wear the garland o
victory and see who can take it from
my head 2"
Let me advert to one fact for whicl
| have authority, and which know t.
be true. At the very moment wheI
peace was about to be made betweel
this country and Mexico, when Win
field Scott could, with honor, have az
cepted q place in the Mexican army
he was offered one million two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, in cash, i
he would resign the American arm
and take command of the Mexicans
with a promise that ration far supe
, rior to that of the American arm,
! should be given to those who woul'
Join his standard, and enter the serv
ice of Mexico. And, further, he wa
offered the Presidency of Mexico 70
, five years, and was desired to keep
J during that time in order to restor
r peace. His civil administration ha
0 even won the admiration of his enemies
a and he was looked upon as a savior
;, and they offered him this large sum a
: an inducement to take the office. ID
0 you not suppose he was stung with re
\. sentiment after he had done all for hi
S country-after he had periled his lit
n in every field and conquered an empir
:. for her advantage and glory, at 6ndin
b himself dismissed from Office p a
; that critical period a tempter advanced
S and said Take up the command {
If the army of Mexico, and the Presider
d cy of Mexico for five years" Whf
r was that but the diadem of Mexic
t. and the office of Emperor, if he ha
t chosen to be such
# If he had taken it, suppose we ha
: sent an army to chastise the Mexican
: when they were commanded by VIII
o field Scott don't you think we shoul
c have come back with a considerabl
e number of black eyes and bloody no'
d es )? Laughter. ] Now look at tn
n picture, and what do you find to SUI
: pass it ? He rejected all these offer
It and said, " l am an American soldie
d and my blood has been freely shed f
t. America, and shall be shed for no OF
}. er country on earth. Applause.
e will die for the Americans, but for 1
= other people that God ever made
e Enthusiastic applause. The Pres
= dency of Mexico, the Empire offere
d me by Mexico, cannot seduce me fro
a, that love of my own native land, vii
II which, thank God, ! was born, al
is which have retained from my ear
t. est infancy to this day" Applause
n. Fellow citizens, have thought the
ct is nothing in the history of the past
y equal the ingratitude with which ii
V, gallant old soldier was treated, unle
I'd you refer to Justinian and his Gener;