Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-09-30


Judge Heyl waited upon Gen. Scott,
and on behalf Of some Of our German
citizens referred TO paragraph from the
Westbote, German paper published in
this city, and containing the statement
that General Scott tied to ons tree and
hogged fifteen Germans. while in Mex
leo.
Other charges, Of his having hanged
others, cruelty and unjustly, were also
referred to. 1904
Never have we witnessed a scene
more imposing. than when the old chief
tain, with quick and indignant response,
repelled the false and malignant charge.
Lofty in stature, and standing at least
four inches aboys The tallest Of those
among whom he stood, his form seemed
gigantic, as with heightened color and
flashing eye, and a wave Of his hand
that expressed a calm defiance of all
such assaI'ants, he uttered his emphatic
protest against such assaults as that par
agraph presented.
"New, and before unknown to me, are
such things as have now been told me.
They surprise and they pain me. They
at once concern all that | value person
ally, and aim a blow at all that, wherein
if I know myself, | have the highest
pride. They attack nv own IDENTIFY
The principles for which. | had believed,
| need never search my own bosom in
vain, are here undermined or denied
me! am met with charges ofinjustice
and crueliy-while leading an American
Army through Mexico, and while par
ticipating alike in its trials and its tri-
umphsl
"Gentlemen, il was my lot to lead an
American army upon foreign field
I went, resolved to sustain, in the FORE
front Of my progress, the high-tide-icG-
ter mark of our olcn american Ciuiii-
zGtion, in all its moral and civil virtue.
The standard of our oDH and not the
practices of that foreign country, was
the standard which sought for the gov
eminent of mems passions and the con-
troll Of the license and excesses of war.
Alike to Americans, whether native or
of foreign birth, and to Mexicans. de-
clared my purpose, and exhibited my
principles Of action.
81 promulged the martial code.-
Doubtless you all have read it. |
deemed it necessary. ] could do moth
ing without it, 1t announced the spirit
of our progress, and held amenable to
punishment all who forgot manhood
and threatened to bring shame upon our
/ hag--dishonor to our arms-or a re-
proach upon our yirtuel Without il
we had not conquered, or if we had con
quered. the brightest trophy Of our con-
quest had been wanting. II would have
been physical triumph, and a physica
triumph alone. Humanity would have
disowned US. promulged that order.
Read it, and read it again, gentlemen
and then bear me witness, that it was in
| ug heart. as il was almost hourly on
my lips, for continued months, TO carry
with American arms, and under the
American flag, even into an enemy's
country, all the elements OF social or
der, and that regard for personal right,
that belonged to our own free institu-
tions in the United States.
"Yes. sought to carry with me, and
! resolved to maintain, at all hazards,
among my own command, and also that
people among whom we should be
thrown, that high standard Of virtue, and
honor, which we boasled al home. Had
| not beer less than an American, and
recreant TO tho highest interests Of hu-
manity, md the age we rejoice in. if |
had done less? They say | hanged
some Germans, and tied up and fogged
others. Gentlemen. some persons ioere
hanged in Mexico. The names of all
Of them do not now recollect. Wheth-
er any were Germans or not, know
not. But for iChat-yes, for what were
they hanged! | hanged one for mur-
der, gentlemen; | hanged one for rape
upon an innocent Young female, and
! for prof1ne and wicked Church robbery
All kHeD the lao that was over them
/ Every man OF them knew he would be
held as answerabIe for vile misdeeds
against the laws of God and man, as il
no were then upon American soill
"FOr such crimes they suffered
such crimes as here. in your own Ohio
"a land Of law-would have brought
down upon them severe penalties. and
with equal justice Some did suffer
deaAl But their trial was fair, impair
tial and upon the same principles Of sol.
id law upon which they would have
been adjudged guilty, here, among You.
Do some say | hanged fifteen Germans,
and that others were arraigned and fog.
ged without cause or trial. Gentlemen.
! know nothing oft. 1t is false--it is a
lie--an invention, gentlemen--a LIE
| see nged citizens before me. see
eminent lawyers here. And, gentle.
men, yol see me much erciisd. But is
1t not for causel For one, cho. for
fifty gears has scarcely euer lcalked,
rose, slept or edleR, or eUen taken a cup
of cold lOdter, in The field, the tOt0n, or
the camp, bHt thai his thoughts vers of
his c0untry--her UirtEes-her renovn
her honor; 20 be thus assdiled,-it is
NoSsTRoJs-it is NToLERABLEl Gen.
tlemen, | did. with high hand, sustain
the law, which, with uprightness in my
heart, ! determined to sustain. | did
hang tor murder! ! did hang for rapeI
/ did hor- g.. l-I