The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-10-02

not been less than an American, and recreant to
the highest interests of humanity, and the age
we rejoice in, if had done less They say
hanged some Germans, and tied up and fogged
others. Gentlemen, some persons were hanged
in Mexico. The names of all of Them do not
now recollect. Whether any of them were
Germans or not, know not. But for 1chGt-
yes Tor what were they hanged? hanged one
for murder, gentlemen; hanged one foI rape
upon an innocent young female, and for protane
and wicked church robbery. Al kneu the lar
that was over them. Every man Of them knew
he would be held as answerable for vile mis-
deeds against the laws ofGod and man, as if he
were then upon American soil!
''For such crimes they sutered-for snch 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 deafh
But their uial was fair, impartial and upon the
same principles of solid law upon which they
would have been adjudged guilty, here, among
you. Do some say | hanged fifteen Germans,
and that others were arraigneI and logged
without cause or trial. Gentlemen, | know
nothing of it. II is false--il is a dean inyen-
lion, oenllemen--a LIE. | see aged citizens
before me. see eminent lawyers here. And,
gentlemen, you see me much elcited. But is it
not for cause! For one, ,Oho, for .ftiy gears has
scarcely erer mn'kcd, rose slept or eaten, eren
tdken u cup Of c0M Uaier, IN The fcld, the iOun,
or the camp, bm thM his thoughts wcre Of his
coHniry--her rifaeS-her rehowi--her honor; to
he thus assuiied-lt is MoNsTRous-ll is INToL-
IRABLE!- Gentlemen, did, with high hand,
sustain the law, which, with uprigh,nrss in my
heart, determined to sustain. did hang for
murler! | did hang for rape, | did hang for
heason and aossed thieves and pickpocke,s!
For, gentlemen, let me again say, | not only
carried with me, bu, | resolved, with every re-
source could command, to sustain, feariessiy
and fec'naliy, in lis virtue and It's choicest es-
ingS. not only to my own command, but to de-
icnceless and peaceable Mexicans, that clvili-
za'lon--yes, that Christian civilization o. which
was proud TO believe that army might appear
worthy representative.
''Bu;, gentlemen, | was no respecor of per-
sons. .3Raertc0n or Melican-natire born or
foreign born--wh0crer hneu lie lar and obeged it
n0i--mhoerer, reckless of his own responslbiil-
ties, and the rights OF others, trampiea uader foot
and SET at aaugM the law that was over all. |
pnnisted. | did hang for the crimes stated, and
would have hung an hundred seekers of inno-
cent blood, and voulors of female chastity if
so many had been the offenders! And for THIS,
perverted and mlsshapcd, am made an>weralle
to Il charge against which my every feeling re-
volts, and which my whole nature and my whcc
life rrpel. No, gentlemen, 1t is a lie. lhe
charge, as maac or that any were wrongly pun
lSh"d,) a fntse and gronudicss lie. | am not TN
thankful 10 my GOOD Iicnd who has told Inc of
these thlngs 1t was right. But, gentlemen,
stand here, before you, and declare as have
aready declared, and again declare, that the
principles that governed my command in Mexi-
60, are those of my life To TINT life in my
counlrys service, need not appeal IN vain for
"nanSwer now. With equal freedom and con-
Hdence do throw myself upon the honest YER
diet OF every man, who, with me, served his
country in the fields of AIexco.''