Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-09-28
The Speeches and Letters of Gen. Scot


An important feature in the unjust, ungener-
Gus, and contemplate strategy of the lower
class Of Loco papers is the Misrepresentation per-
version, and ridicule of the words of Gen. Scott.
His speeches are falsely reported by them, and
his letters burlesqued.
1t is a well known fact that the most beautiful
and sublime compositions are the most liable TO
be thus ridiculed. Homers Illiad has afforded
sport to literary witlings the best travestie
of play we have ever read is that of Hamlet,
Shakespeare most philosophic and most beautiful
dramatic production and, without meaning to
institute a comparison, in nothing does the force
of ridicule appear so striking as when the Ian
guage of Holy Writ is perverted by the base and
basphemous for the qualification of their irrever-
ent merriment.
We have read the speeches made by General
Scott during his present tour with the highest
admiration. They are full of manly frankness,
of generous emotions, and at times of earnest and
whitening indignation. They reveal to us the
impulses of the man those impulses that vibrate
in our own hearts the cords of secret sympathy
In his appearance and outward demeanor, Gen.
Scott impresses US with the conviction that he is
proud and austere. Ardent devotion throughout
his long life to everything connected with the
duties Of great soldier even to the strictest OBJ
seryance and exemplifcaton of the etiquette it
requires has not been without its influence on his
outward seeming and unless he is heard and
seen as be appears beneath his own hospitable
roof, or in free or earnest converse the preju-
dice excited in many minds is likely to do him
great injustice. No heart is more open, no hand
has warmer pressure, no heart is more prompt
10 respond TO our every emotion In the speech
in which he repels the charge Of the wanton de-
struction If the lives Of fifteen Germans in Mexico
he spoke as an incensed man should speak. A
man without Indignation is without virtue The
wrath Of just and honorable man is ever fearful,
and its free and whitening utterance but excites
our love the more warmly in his behalf. Whether
Chesterfield justifes such anger, or Brummell
practised II, we do not cnIe to inquire Every
word uttered by the noble old hero was but the
embodiment Of what was thought and felt on the
occasion by every true friend he possesses and in
each breast il found cheering response. Politi-
cal editors who have for years crawled in the
mire of slang and vituperation, and who have
properly taken their position in the rear Of Mr.
Bennett, the present leader Of the Loco press, may
cant, and moralize, and affect much horror at the
plain articulation Of very plain English by a
slandered and yiifed sage and patriot but the
afectation is too shallow for respect or credence
Wherever Gen. Scott has appeared before the
people thousands have acknowledged that they
had been the dupes Of political libellers, and
though late have determined to correct the errors
Of their lives.
The words Of these mendacious scribblers hav,
become impotent, and their rage can hencefortf
prove but selfconsuming. The mountains Of thu
West now echo the applause of Scott, and over
every wave Of its mighty waters the shout il
waited by each passing breeze. The enthusiasm
of the country is kindled, and will never subsidt
until it shall be expressed in the triumphal act
the grand drama, the elevation Of the honoreC
hero to the Presidency Of the Republic.
The nomination of Winfield Scott came from
the people. The politicians were not his friends
Even in epolitical party with which he has ever
sympathized, he has been earnestly, zealousy,
bitterly opposed. His nomination in the Ma
tional Convention was the triumph Of the people
over the politicians by trade. II was acquiesced
in, not spontaneously made. The probability OF
his election was admitted, and we we're hence
scornfuDy denounced as seekers after availa-
biliy!--in other words, as sympathizers with