Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-04-22
The Position OF General Scott.


The Position OF General Scott.
The debate in the House of Representatives
yesterday was very unlike what many desire in
the legislative councils of this nation 1t was Of
p kind that has often been disapproved by the
public voice of the country
1t appears that Mr.. Howard, of Texas, and
other gentlemen of the Democratic party, out Of
pure regard for the political advancement of Gen.
Scott are particularly anxious that he shall ex-
press his views in relation to the Compromise
measures, respectively and that they are equally
concerned for the reputation of the Wing caucus,
lest that body also may be tainted with opposi-
ton to those measures
The grounds of these fears are, that General S.
will not write and publish letters whenever called
upon to do SO by his political opponents; and
that the Wing caucus would not entertain a mo-
ton which nobody contends was submitted ac-
cording to parliamentary rule.
No voter in the United States aeiH be ased to vote
for General Scott aUithout full knowledge of his
uiews on alt the measures Of the Compromise. This
may be relied on. But, if Gen. Scott is not now
fully understood in all quarters, which we do not
believe, the time and manner of revealing his
opinions and purposes will be OF. his own select
ing.
Respecting the action of the caucus, Mr. Camp
bell, of Ohio stated that "a proposition was pre-
sented, fixing the time and place for holding the
National Convention. A substitute to the reso-
luton was offered, embodying the question of
the fnalty of the Compromise. The presiding
officer decided that Notwithstanding the PROPOSE
ton, as substitute, might or might not be en-
tertained at another stage of the meeting, it was
not german to the resolution then before the
body-it was not german to the proposition to
fix the time and place for holding the National
Convention
Mr.. Campbell said, further, that !" while the
chair was sustained in that decision, gentlemen
from the North, East, South, and West, expressly
declared that they did not desire TO shut it out but
that at the proper time, when it should be intro
duced as an Independent proposition, they were
willing to entertain it; and were willing to pro-
pose such notifications or amendments as they
might see proper, embracing other questions
That was the reason why the Compromise was
ruled out Of order"
This appears to US to be all that could be asked,
and even more than should be conceded The
country is jealous of caucuses and especially
Congressional caucuses. The States are selecting
delegates to the Baltimore Convention, and these
men, fresh from the people, and selected with
special reference to this duty, are the proper
persons to declare to the world, in the opening
of Presidential campaign, the principles upon
which the Wing party is to move and act.
But why, at this particular moment, are our
Democratic friends so much concerned about the
position of General Scott to the utter neglect of
their own candidates? Clearly for the purpose
of preventing his nomination. They fear him,
and regard their own salvation as dependant upon
his overthrow. We viii not say they err in this
but we shall be much amazed if they lead the Wing
party into the trap they have set for them. Even
the withdrawal of an imperious few cannot provoke
that party from its discretion. Wherever schisms
prevail purity and power can be secured only by
the depicting process. Purging and phlebotomy
are salutary agencies in restoring health and tone
to the diseased, and we trust they may always be
resorted to in q republic when an exacting few
desire to control the many
That this is the spirit Of the minority in the
late caucus we do not assert. In their number
there were true and honorable members of the
Wing party-men whose hearts and voices will
be devoted to the right work in the coming cam
paign. But it is manifestly true as respects some
gentlemen whose purpose it is to rule or ruin"
The effort, however, will not avail. The Wing
party is at this moment in q position to main
tain its ascendancy in defiance alike Of external
opposition and internal strife. It will triumph
without the sacrifice of principles and if it con-
tain aught Of the spirit of faction within it, that
spirit will be silenced by the important Office it
has to perform. A Wing President is to be chosen
and he upon whom all eyes are turned, how
ever he may be assailed, is undoubted by his
countrymen. Their records tell the story Of his
ability, bis devotion, his sacrifices and his tri-
umphs, and afford an ample guarantee of our
success under his administration. The UNION
or THE WHO'S AND THE UNION OF THE STATES
should be the battle cry
The Case Of the Convict Wells.
The gentlemen we yesterday named have to-
day had an interview with the President There