Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1852-10-02
A Vile SANDER RepslIed Brilliant
SDeech Ofeen. Scott to the Germans,

German paper published IN this city, and con-
kaining the statement that General Scott, tied
10 one tree one floggsd fifteen Germans, while
in Mexico.
Other charges, of his having hanged others,
cruelty and unjustly, we're also referred to,
Never have We witnessed a scene more inn
posing, than when the old chieftain, with quick
and indignant response. repelled the false and
malignant charge. Lofty in stature, and stand:
ing st least four inches above the tallest OF
those among whom be stood. his form seemed
gigantic, as with heightened color and fash
ing eye. and wave Of his hand that express
ed a calm defiance of all such assailants, he
uttered his emphatic protest against assaults
as that paragraph presented:
New, and before unknown to me, are such
things as have now been told to me. They
surprise and they pain me. They at once
concern all that value personally, and aim
a blow al all that, wherein, if l know myself.
i have the higheet pride. They attack my
own identity! The principles for which, had
believed, / need never search my own bosom
in vain, are here undermined or denied me !
] am met with charges of injustice and cru
.elty-while leading an American Army
Through Mexico, and while participating alike
an lis trials and its triumphs
"GenIleman. it lo0s my lot TO lead an
American army upon foreign field. | went
resolved TO sustain. in the forefront of my
progress. the ktgh-tide- -lOdter- mark of our
o1uil Amsrisdn CiuiIizGtiOn, in all its moral
and civil virtue The standard of our Oa0n
and aotthe practices of that foreign country,
the standard which sought for the Gov
eminent Of mems passions and the control Of
the license and excesses of war. Alike to A
essricans, whether native or of foreign birth.
and to Mexicans. declared my purpose. and
exhibited my pr.ncipies OF action.
Il promulgated the martial code. Doubt
less YOU all have read it 1t announced the
spirit Of our progress, and held amenable TO
punishment all Rho forgot manhood, and
threatened to bring shame upon our flag
dishonor to our arms-or reproach upon our
virtaei Witlsout it. we had not conquered.
orif we had coupuered the brightest trophy of
our conquest been wanting. 1t would have
been physical triumph. and . physical tri-
umph alone. Haananity would haze disown-
ed us- 1 promulgated that order. Read it,
and read il again, gentieman, and then bear
me witness, that It was in my heart, as it was
almost hourly On my lips. for continued
unoaths. 60 carry with American arms, and
under the American fageven into an enemy's
ceuztrg, all the elements of social order and
that regsrd for personal right, that belonged
to our 0wnfree institutions IN the United
St9tea
ayes, I sought 10 carry with me, and re-
solved "a maintain at all hazards, among my
own command, and also that people among
whom We should be 4hrowR, that high stan
dard Of sirtRe, and henor, which we boasted
,at koase. Had ne4 been less than an A.
merican, and recreant to the highest interests
of humanity, and the age We rejoice in, if l
had done less They say | hanged sonas
Germans, and tied UP and hogged others.
Gentlemen, some persons mere hanged in Mex
5co. The names of all of thea do not now
recollect Whether any were Germans or
not, know net But for ekot--ves for what
were they haaged. Ihanged one fer murder.
gentleman hanged one for rape upon
an innocent female, and for prefane and wick
ed Church robbery. al kneW the tGW that
was over them. Every maa of them kRew
nc would be held az ansWerable fer vie mis-
deeds against the laws of God and man, as
If he were then, upon American seill
'sEor such crimes they stfered-fOr such
crimes as here, in your own ohic--a land of
would have brought down upon them
severe penalties. and with eQaol justice. Some
did suffer death But their trial was fair,
impartial and upon the same principles Of sol
id law upon which they would have been ad-
Judged guilty, here, among you. Do some
say / hanged fifteen Germans, and that 9th
ers were arranged and fogged without cause
or trial. Gentlemen, I know nothing of it.
Il is false-it is lie-an invention, gentle
mana LIE see aged citizens before me.
see eminent lawyers here. And, gentleman,
you see me much excited But is it not for
Cause? For one, ioho. for fifty years has
scarcely ever aUaked,rose, slept OF eaten, or
svsn taken a cup Of cold water, IN the field,
the toson, or the camp, but that has thoughts
agere of his eonntry-her Uirtues-her renoUn
---her honor; to be thus dssailed,-it is MON
srRous--it is IEToLERABLEl Gentlemen, /
did, with a high hand, sustain the Law, which,
with nprightnessin in my heart, determined TO
sustain / did hang for nurtler! did hang
for yapet l did hang for treasonl and l fog
ged thieves and pickpocke:sl For, gentle
men, let me again say. 4 not only carried with
me, but / resolved, with every resource
could command, to sustain, tsarlessly and ef-
tectuaElq, IN its virtue and its choicest bless
inQs, not only to my own command but to
defenceless and peaceable Mexicans. that civ
iiization-yes, that Christian civilization Of
which was proud to believe that army might
appear worthy representative.
@But, gentlemen, was no respecter OF per-
sons. A1aeriean or Meztcan-R native born or
foreiQn 6or1,-sohoever kne1U the LdU and
o6eved II not-Uhoeuer, reckless OF his own
responsibilities. and the rights of others.
gsdmpJed ppdsr foot and set at pdught the law
that was over all. / PUNISHED. l did hang