Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-09-25
Gen. Scott's Administrative Ability.

The opponents Of General Scott endeavor
to Influence the people against him by alleging
that as the greater portion of his life has been
passed in the military service of his country,
he has no civil experience, and is, consequently,
unfit to discharge the exalted duties pertaining
to the executive Office This is strange argu-
ment to come from those who first set the ex.
ample of running military chieftains, and who
maintained, for many years, that warke deeds
We're especially worthy the gratitude of the
people But, circumstances alter cases." we
suppose; and Wing Generals, when they have
the audacity to run for public station, have
no rghttul claim upon their fellow citizens
At least, it would seem so; for Gen. Harrison
and Gen. Taylor were stigmazed as incompe-
tent and nnw orthy, just as Gen. Scott is now
stlgmtalzed. But, the people held different
oplnlon' and elected them triumphantly to the
Presidency, as we have no doubt they will their
lllustrous compeer in arms The people are
better judges of merit than mere trading poll
tlclans, such as are now traducing the charac
ter and services of Winfield Scott.
That Gen. Scott possesses administrative
qualities of the highest order, the record of his
life simply evidences. His conduct in settling
the Canadian frontier difficulties, in arranging
satisfactorily and honoraby the boundary
troubles between Maine and New Brunswick,
which at one time threatened hostile collision,
and his more recent services in Mexico, imme-
dately succeeding the capture of the capital,
show that his civi! endowments are of grade
qualifying him to fill, creditably and efficiently,
any station upon earth. Mr. Madison offered
to make him a Cabinet minister, and General
Jackson entrusted to his charge a confidential
mission of the greatest moment. Their opn
ion Of his qualifications should not be without
weight, in these latter days, no matter if years
have elapsed since their occurrence.
During the South Carolina excitement, Gen.
Jackson selected Gen. Scott to proceed to the
city Of Charleston to see to the public inter-
ests, and to attempt to reconcile conflicting
elements. 1t was a mission which required
the exercise of rare delicacy, tact and forbear-
ance. The manner in which Gen. Scott dis
charged the difficulties imposed upon him, is so
we'll known that recapitulation is wholly unne-
cessary. We have thought, however, that the
confidential instructions of President Jackson
to him, through the Secretary of War, Gen.
Cass, would be interesting and Instructive
Therefore, we append them:
From Niles Register, Feb. IS, 1884
WASHINGTON, Nov. Is, 1888.
Sir: The state of affairs in South Carolina
has occasioned much solicuude to the Presi-
dent. He INDUCES in the hope that the intei
gence and patriotism of her citizens will pre-
vent any intraction upon the Constitution and
laws of the General Government But, while
he anxiously looks for this result, he deems it
possible, from the information he has, that, in
the first effervescence of feeling, some rash at
tempt may be made by individuals to take pos
session of the forts of the United States in
the harbor of Charleston. The possibility of
such measure furnishes a sufficient reason for
guarding against it, and the President is there
fore anxious that the situation and means Of
defence of these Notifications should be in
spected by an officer of experience, 1oho could
also estimate and provide for any dangers TO
which they may be exposed. HE HAS FULL
AND DISCRETION, and it is his wish that
anime everything connected with the fortfca-
tons. You are at liberty to take such mea-
sures, either by strengthening these defences
or by reinforcing their garrsons with troops
drawn from other posts, as you may think pru-
dence and just precaution require.
Your duty aoiN be of great importance and
great delicacy. You will consult fully and freely
with the Collector for the port Of Charleston,
and with the District Attorney of South Caro-
lima, and you will take no steps except what
relates to the immediate defence and security
of their posts, without .heir order and concur
renee. The execution of the laws will be en-
forced through the civil authority, and in the
mode pointed out by the acts of Congress-
Should, unfortunately, any crisis arise, when
the ordinary power in the hands of the civil
officers shall not be sufficient for this, the Pre-
sident shall determine the course to be taken
and the measures to be adopted. Till, there
fore, you are otherwise instructed, you will act
in obedience to the legal regulations of the
proper civil officers of the United States.
Twill thank you to communicate freely and
confidentially upon every topic which you may
deem it important for the Government to re-
ceve information.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
LEWIS CASS.
Maj Gen. SCOTT, Commander Eastern De-
partment, Washington.
General Jackson, it appears, had ''full conf
dence" in SCOTS Judgment and discretion y
That, certainly, should be sufficient for all old
line Jackson men. What say the veterans who
| won their laurels under the lead of the Hero of
| Orleans--N D. Bee.
A Sign in Pennsylvania acorth Recording
The Philadelphia Inquirer says: "a meeting
of Democrats, who have never voted a Wing
ticket, but who now 60 for Scott and Graham,
was held in Helam township, York county, on
Saturday the 2lst ultimo. One hundred and
twenty Democrats were present, who raised a