New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-10-15

The standard of orr own and not Vie practices of that
foreign country the standard which sought for the
government Of mems passions and the control OF the
license and Of war Alike to Americans whether
native or Of eign birth and to Meycans declared
purpose and exhibited my principles of action
q pronulged the martial code Doubtless you all have
read it, deemed it necessary could do nothing with
out it. Il announced the spirit of our progress and held
an1enable to punishment all who forgot manhood, and
threatened to bring shame upon agdishonor to
arrls--or reproach upon cur virtue Without it. we
had not conquered if had conquered the brightest
trophy Of the conquest had been wanting 1t would have
been physical triumph, and physical triumph alone.
Read It, and read it again gentlemen and then bear
witness that it was in my heart it almost hourly
my lips for continued months to carry with American
arms and under the American flag ven into an enemy
country all the elements of social oder and that regard
for personal right that belonged to our own free nsu
tons in the United States
Ives. sought to carry with me, and resolved to main
tain at all hazards among my command, and also
standard of virtue and honor which boasted at home
Had not been less than American, and recreant to
the highest interests of humanity and the age we rejoice
in if had done less They say l hanged some Ger
mans aud tied up and logged others. Gentlemen some
persons hanged in Mexico Tho names of all of
them do not now recolect Whether any OF them We're
Germans not know not. But for whatyes for what
they hanged I hanged one for murder gentle
men: 1 hanged one for rape upon an innocent young
female, and for profane and wicked church-robbery AL
knew the law that WAS over them. livery man OF them
knew he would be held answerabe for vile msdeeds
American sell
g For such crimes they surered-for such crimes
here in your own Ohio--a land Of law--would have
brought downupon them penalties and with equal
justice Some did suffer death But their trial was fair
impartial and upon the principles Of solid law upon
which they would have been adudged guilty here among
you Do some say hanged fifteen Germans and that
others aaigned and Tagged without trial
Gentlemen know nothing of it. II is falseit is lie
an invention gentlemen lie
see aged citizens before me- see eminent lawyers
here. And gentlemen. you much excited But
is it not for cause For one who for fifty years has
scarcely walked rose slept eaten taken
cup of cold water in the field the town the camp but
that his thoughts of his country-her virtues her
renown, her honorto be thus assacdit is monstTous
it is intolerabe Gentlemen, did with high hand.
sustain the law which. with uprghtness in my heart
determined to sustain. I did hang for murder. L did
hang for rape! did hang for treason. and fogged
thieves and pckpockets For gentlemen let me again
say not only carried with but resolved with every
resource could command, to sustain. fearlessy and
eecuay, in its virtue and its choicest blessings, not
only to my command but to defenceless and peace
able Mexcans that cyiiizationges that Christian civ
ilaation of which proud to believe that army might
appear worthy representative.
= But gentlemen [ was respecter of persons Amer
lean or Mexiean-native born foreign born-whoever
knew the law and obeyed it notwhoerer reckless of his
responsibilities and the rights of Others tramped
under foot and set at naught the law that ALL
punished did hang for the crimes stated, and would
have hung hundred seekers of innocent blood and
volaors of female chastity, if many had been the
offenders. And for this perverted and misshaped- am
made answerable to charge against which my every
feeling reTolts and which my whole nature and my
whole life repel No gentlemen. it is lie (the charge as
made or any that were wrongly pubished false and
sroundless lie
The heart that spoke that was brave, and
true, and generous and the very abruptness of
the language shows how impetuously unselfsh
and uncalculating.
But we close-eur language could not be half
as eloquent--with an extract from The Lives
Of INF nl1 And, To-,
j. T. lIeadley, the author Il minister and
writer widely known to fame. He coupled
Scott and Jackson together because they are
the "two military men who have made the
deepest impression upon their country since the
time of Washington. No other two have given
it such character at homo, or reputation
abroad
TnE SIEeE or VERA CRuz-Tha siege of Vera Cruz
the first opportunity Scott had had OF showing the
results of his studies in Europe and at home Two bat
ties n his youth had elevated him to the first rank in the
Army long interval Of peace followed and the youth
Of twentyeight had become the man of three-score
There every prospect Of his passing of the stage with
out giving to his country the ripened fruit of the tree
whose blossoms were full of promise. 1t does not
always follow that because young commander fought
bloody and victorious battle that he plan and carry
to successful termination long and difficult campaign
good fighter is not always good thinker: still Scotts
conduct while the Northern frontier and in the Chero
kee country had obtained for him tile confidence Of the
nation, and great things were expected Of him. But
when it was announced that Vera Cruz-that Gibraltar
of Mexico-had fallen with the loss the American Ar
my Of only two officers and few soldiers filled
with ama2ement The soldiers themselves could scarcely
believe the evidence of their senses Thirty years Of
thought travel and study had not been thrown away on
the American Commander. Such triumph of skill and
modern science had never been witnessed the CONT
nent.
Gen. Taylor had shown what hard fighting could do
but mere was an exhibition of mind triumphing castle
walls and wsil-manned batteries During the siege, many
tnp tl,n
storm Said Scott to them: How many do you
suppose it would cost to do IT,? Possibly two thousand
or twenty five hundred it would depend on cireum-
stances But replied Scott. can take it with much
less sacrifice Yes was the answer but the army will
win glory and officers will have opportunity to dis
tinguish themselves Remember gentlemen replied the
yetpranin words that should be written in gold that
commander aho deliberately socfces one lfe than
cessag 10 secure rtctorg is gully g murder Like Jack
he careful father of his soldiers but of his
own life he reckless enough
"pne day, while walking the trenches, in the midst of
the firing he soldiers peeping the parapet
to witness the effect of their shot Down down. men he
don't expose yourselves But General re-
piled bold fellow, poH exposed Oh said he Gen
TdtS nowadays eau be made out OF anybody. but
cannot be had Throughout the siege, he shared with
his troops their discomforts the bvouac hard fare cold
and damp and sandstorns from the first day to the last
He examined all the stations gave orders for all the
teries and their fire and indeed knew every thing that
was going on He by the aid of his weliapponted staff
was ubiquitous
"sooTrs HUMANITY THE spectacle presented to Scott
as he turned with his staff to ascend the hill after the
storming Of Cheputpprc filled his heart with Joy and
exultation Those walls and ramparts which hours
before briSted with the enemy cannon were now black
with men and uttCring with colors Of bis regiments
while perfect storm of hurah and cheers rolled towards
heaven. As he passed up he his troops shooting
down the helpless tugyes without mercy. He could not
blame Them for he knew they ayengng the death Of
their brave comrades, to whom no mercy shown at
dono del Rey but unable to endure the inhuman spec
ucle he rode up to the excited troops and exclaimed
Soldiers deeds like yours are recorded in history Be
humane and generous mH b0ys you rctorious ard
rA get dOun my brded lceS TO God far you Tonight
Noble and eloquent words which immediately found a
response in those brave hearts Mercy blended with
strength, is beautiful
Such facts are eloquenee living, and breathing
warm in action.