Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-08-28
THE MILITARY HURRAH.

The wings have nothing to comfort them bot
the hope of exciting the military ardor of our
! people in favor Of their nominee. They know
that their principles are unpopular, and there sore
they have laid aside their statesmen, aud passed
over those who have been their most conspicuous
champions, for a mere military ehielain. But
| they have reckoned unwselY. General Scott
! possesses qualities which detract from his mill.
/ tary reputation; and he does not possess other
/ qualities, without which q successful soldier can~
not be popular with the masses. General Scott
is more unpopular with the officers who have ser.
we'd with him than any other portion Of our pso~
pe If the decision was left 10 the vote Of the
army, there is no question but thatthe General-in
chief would be defeated by an overwhelming ma
ioyty Under such circumstances, it is vain to
/ expect a military hurrahi for even the military
will not Join in it. The citizens Of New York
/ who wished to present General Scott for the
! presidency in lS30-when he assured them that
| he was a Jeferson-J Jackson democrat; when he
assured them that he was hard money, ndepen-
/ dentstreasuTy democrat when be assured them
/ that he had carried General Jacksons admins.
tratipu through on his back, and when he assured
them that hU looked alone TO the democrat party
for his political luture--weTe forced to abandon
him as soon o. they became acquainted with bis
character as public man. The officers Of the
army have gone through similar process. They
have been introduced to General Scott, and have
become acquainted with his vanitya and inordnae
ambition. They have been brought face to face
with his manifold weaknesses, his thirst for au.
thority, hsiboundess preensions, and his haugh.
tiness, and they will join in no attempt to glorly
aim by wild outbreak of military enthusiasm,
Many of the officers Of the army have suffered
from his suspicious Jealousy, his hasty temper,
and his eagrTness for personal Advancement. The
common soldier has no sympathies with him.
He is a stranger to their hearts, for his heart has
no pulsation in common with theirs. A military
hurrah is therefore impossible; for the coldncss Of
those who served with General Scott will prevent
it, The failure of Lundy's Lane celebration,
and the little attention with which the ptopo-
Iition to celebrate the capture of Chepul-
tepec has been received, prove that the people
are not to be msled by banners, music, and mill
itary professions. tits great mistake to believe
that Gen. Taylor was elected solely by his mil
itary fame. Many were tired of the strife of
party and the machinery of party organizations,
and they wished 10 see the chair Of the Chief
Magistrate dled by one whose passions were not
heated by party strife and who had never min.
gled in party inlrgues, Many thought that they |
saw in Gen. Tayor's honest purposes and Sc
we're simplicity Of manner traita which would
compensate for the want Of civil experience,
while his ailable and uupfeJending demeanor,
and his distaste for pomp, parade, and oslenta- /
ton won the hearts oil thousands, who never
would have been seduced by the glitter Of mill /
tary pageantry,or led astray by mere military re.
nown. II was precisely those points Of Gen. Tay. |
lor's character which placed him in striking con-
tfast to Gen. Scott which made him the iavorite
chehan Of the Mexican war, and carried him
into the presidency. Gen. Tayor not only had .
qualities which Gen. Scott did not have, but he
did possess qualities which Gen. Scott unfortu,
nalely has in an eminent degree. No one ex-
DecJs by the elevation of Gen. Scott to soften
party asp8rities, or TO weaken The power Of party
or give a check to party ntrigues.
No one sees in General Scott the severe sim,
,licity, the ahable and unpretendng demeanor,
he disasle for pomp, parade, and osentalon
which characterized Gen. Taylor. Besides, the
esson which The last election taught has not
,een forgotten. The use which cunning and win. !
clive parisans made Of the military President {
n lS49 and 1850 is fresh in the public recollec &
ion. The people see that the same cabal which d
bused the confidence Of General Taylor, and c
sed him to carry out their corrupt purposes, G
ave brought forward Gen. Scott as the means a
restoring themselves to their former places, s
Notwithstanding fle condemnation which they q
ave received ia al quarters Of the country n
hey know Gen. SCOTS vanity and hs want Of s.
Eperience, and they regard him as the best in "
Iument to carry out their wicked purposes and n
the people should be so soon deceived Sec {
I'D time, they will deserve the lis which must fall
pom the land, "when vice prevails and inpious d
en beor sway Washington Union.