The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-07-20

At Ratification Meeting held mt Delaware
on June 23d, Hon. John M. Clayton delivered
and able and eloquent speech, from which We
make the following extract:
proceed TO the question, shall we ratify the
decision of the Baltimore Convention in favor
OF WINFIELD Scorr, or no! intend to sub
init few reasons why we should ratify that
decision In the first place, undertake I'd
say---if my humble testimony can be admitted
at all upon such question as this-I have for
many years known WINFIELD Scorr of New
Jersey, and know him to be not only great
soldier--the greatest captain of the age-but
know him to be scholar and statesman.
There is no greater error than to suppose, be-
cause man is great soldier, no cannot be a
groat civilian. General Scott has devoted his
life to the study of tho profession Of his early
youth. He was, before he went into the army.
lawyer, although have met many men we'll
acquainted with the doctrine of international
law, have mover seen one more familiar with,
and more deeply versed in. the true. principles
of international law than Winfield Scott. No
greater error can be committed by you my
countrymen than TO suppose, because he is a
great soldier, a victorious general. he is moth
ing more. He is a scholar, an elegant and
profound scholar. He is a man. if he had
never achieved victory in battle, eminently
of his civil qualifications; and it is because of
them stand here. and mean 20 stand every
where,to support him. Moreover, my fellow
citizens. Winfield Scott is a man whose expe-
rience in public aifairs-indepcnden Of his
mere learning from hooks--is equal 10 that Of
any member Of the House of Representatives
or the Senate If the Uni ed States. He has
taken deep interest in fbe political affairs of
his cuuntry since carly youth. Originally be-
fore rhe war Of 1912 Democrat of he Madi-
son;an and Jeff,.rsonian school. imoulsiyo
warm-hear'ed. ardent and patriotic. when the
outragcs that were 6pnmilted upon this coun-
try by England Occurred. lie resolved to leave
the profession in which he had every prospect
of brilliant success, FIR tho Duraose of fghting
the battles uf his country aud II nerassarv
shedding his bluoi in her defense. NV fllnw-
citizens. stand here and support inf.ld
Scott. not only for these reasons. not only be-
cause he is a civilian AMI statesman. hut be-
cause know him. of NV own knowledge. to
be man rs pure in heart. as high mipdcd and
honorable in all his intercourse with lis fellow
men ~ any msn ever knew. IEnihu sia-tic
applause.l Viewing him then. as a man DUAL
fled fer ,he office. 90 on 10 consider his 9th
or merits. and those which cntite him 10 tho
gratitude of his country He is victorious
general and a great soldier. and pronounced
the water one of the greatest men Of the age
His victories Of Chippewa and Lundys Lane
were accounted at the time when they occur
red among the most remarkable events of the
war of 1912. With an inferior force at Chin.
tewa he defeated General Riley although his
troops were composed Of The best veterons of
the British army And Scott achieved this
triumph not merely BY the valor Of his soldiers.
But by his own ininitable skill in that splendid
battle. 1t has been, among military men. ev-
or since the theme Of unqualified admiration.
The mannor in which the batllo was foughi,
YOU have no time 10 hear. nor | 10 describe:
but have heard the best military men declare
there was no battle which exhibited more con-
suinmate skill and address than was shown by
Scott when he conquered Riley. Applause
The next grca, battle IN which this distinguish
cd warrior showed his skin. was the battle 81
Magyar Falls July 25. 1913. In hat night
bf horrors, when more men fell on the battle
field han perhaps have ever fallen IN any
struggle Of equal numbers of British aud A
,Ierican troops Winfield Scot suffered the
loss of two horses from under him. was first
wounded in the side. and still kept tho field
until a few moments before the action closed
When. fighting hef re Je>sups re dmsnts and
cnnten ling, between muske's f,urteen feet
apart he was struck through tho body and
eed behind tree and lai there until the bat
tie was over. The suffering which he under
went may he seen by man who know him de-
picted in his face until this dav The terrible
bsemorrhage has left the lncaments of his
norntenancc IF a pallid hue. AMI he now ex-
hibiis, and always will, the consequences of
the wounds he recei ed in that dreadful bat
tie. Perhaps year elapsed before he recov-
cred sn that his health wonld enable him to
perform any duty. He visited Europe, in Or
der, If possible, to acquire more health TO
this day. however, the birdie arm cannot be
lifted, except from the elbow. Ipass over the
many skirmishes in which he was engaged
and have no doubt he has passed through
hundreds of engagements commonly called
bsttes--for desire To call yonr attention to
the considerations | have mentioned and tn
some others which occurred during the Mexi-
can war. From Vera Crnz to the city of Mex
ico, Winfield Scott contended against the enc
mics Of his country with varying success amid
difficulties almost unexampled in history, and
penetrated with small army of 10000 men,
In an empire Of eleven millions of people, and
at last placed his country's flag upon the
heights Of Chepultepec, and in the city of Mex
ito itself. If there be man who does not feel
sentiment of gratitude to Winfield Scott, let
him read the history of the battles of Ccrro
Gordo Cherubusco, Chepultcpec, &c.; and,
,lnstly. tho bloody fight which occurred in the
city Of Mexico. whore the old hero triumphant
ly sustained the arms of bis country in the
midst of people who were completely subdu-
cd, compelled TO make such treaty ns the gov
ernment Of this country proposed to dictate.
M What was the reward Of faithful soldier
who had done so much. and who s,iffcrdd I'd
much for his country What was his reward
from the Gnvcrnmcnt? We find, after he was
victorious, the Government acn' out supernu-
ucraries. making up an army Of more 10000
men. and took from him--whcn the fighting
was all oyer. and there was NO more necessity
for great general--took from him the com
mand of that army. and directed him to sub
nit himself Major General-.o a trial. upon
false charges, before tribunal of petty Off