Daily American telegraph., 1852-09-20


The Alleged Indignity to General Pierce.
The Union is at length out, and out at length,
on this subject 1t devotes column or more OF
words toit, all of them breathing tones expressive
of injured innocence and outraged justice.
The whole story may be briefly told An Off
Ger Of the United States army, gentleman and
Democat-the son of the Hon. Louis McLane and
brother of the Hon. Robert McLane, of Baltimore,
made a certain statement, which was published
by tho persons to whom he related it. lie has
also published it in the following form:
'.THE SUBSTANCE OF MY OBSERVATION, IN REGARD
TO THIS DIFFICULTY OF GEN. PIERcE's, Is, THAT
ACCORDING TO ny IMPRESSION, ON THE NIGHT
PRIOR TO HIS LEAVING THE CITY OF MEXICO, HIS
FACE WAS SLAPPED AT A GAME OF CARDS, BY AN
OFFICER OF THE ARMY, AND THAT THE INDIGNITY
WAS NOT At THE INSTANT, OR, AS FAR AS l LEARN
ED, SUBSEQUENTLY, RESENTED IN SUCH MANNER
AS IN NY OPINION IT OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN BY
MAN OF PROPER SPIRIT AND COURAGE"
This statement is either correct or otherwise
If correct, it ought to be published: and it has
been published, upon the authority of Captain
McLane. If incorrect and untrue, much as we
shall regret such result, it must recol hurtfully
upon Captain McLane himself
There is some difference between the terms in
which Captain McLane expresses himself in his
card and those in which the Baltimore papers re-
ported him as speaking. We take his oon words,
and leave him and them to settle that rs best they
may. If their truthfulness is impugned, they
win no doubt endeayor to substantate by proofs
what they have asserted.
Taking Captain McLaues own card as the
only reliable testimony in the case, we are at
no loss to conclude, either that he has made
revelation of facts hurtful to General Pierce, or
that he has narrated facts impressions not
warranted by the true state of things. If he
spoke of things knowingly, he but performed
duty; if of things only credited upon irresponsi-
bic rumor, he committed very serious indiscre-
ton The Union speaks of I" insufficient testi-
mony" dragged from Captain McLane." But this
does not concern US. The statement above has
been published and its refutation is the thing
sought The Union mingles its complaints and
its indignation with some Civilizations over let
ter it has received from General Pierce, address
ed to him by Colonel j. Bankhead Magruder,
the officer alleged to have offered him the indig
nifty over card table. This letter is regarded
in disproof Of the statement Of Captain McLane
If it is an authentic letter, it is adequate in proof
of the present friendship Of Colonel Magruder for
General Pierce, leading TO the conclusion that if
enmity ever did exist between them, it has ceased
but if it is not agreed that men who have had
past differences never can become good friends,
we must soy that it has no bearing upon the fact
Tha IN 20 ;o
luded to-, and an argument against its reality can
only be inferred from the terms Of friendship and
respect this letter breathes
The bitter spirit evinced by the Union, and the
ire it evidently cherishes to,eard Captain McLane,
but really hurls at the Wing press and party, dc
not enttle it to either respect or courtesy at the
hands of any one Its beerhouse style Of politi
cal eloquence may not therefore be quoted by ad
versary who entertains sentiments of self-respect
The letter of Colonel Magruder, however-coucheC
in the language of an ardent friendand true gen
tleman, and eagerly volunteering testimony il
behalf Of Gen. Pierce-is welcome to our col
umns, as it would certainly be- were it full clear
and explicit, in refutation Of the charge specif-
cally in view:
SAN DIEGO, (Cal, Aug IA, 1852.
M Dear General: Permit me to tender you
my sincere congratulations upon your nomination
by one of the great political parties of our coun-
try for the highest office in its gift.
Your companions n-arms," whatever be their
politics. and however disnclined to mingle with
the political parties Of the day, should not be the
last to express their pleasure and eyince their
pride that so distinguished an honor has been
conferred upon one recently Of their own corps
who was as faithful and gallant in the field as he
was generous and kind in the social relations
which grew up upon the termination of the cam
paign. A Wing myself, and professionally Of tn,
sScott school" Of military men cherishin,
withal the fullest confidence in the devoted pa
triotism and ability, civil and military, of tina
eminent citizen and soldier-I still can say, il
his own language in reference to yourself, tina
If he be not elected, the choice of the people vii
fall upon 20 deserving man"
Here / might stop; but have seen in tn
newspapers of the day, published in the Atlantic
States, that there has been an attempt to depre
ciote your services in the late war with Mexico
growing out Of an accident which befel you il
one Of the battles in the valley--an attempt Of
ungenerous in motive as it is unjust in fact t.
yourself. ! allude particularly to the severe &C
cident which prevented you from taking more
active part in the battle Of the 10Th August, anC
from which you suffered so much on the 10Th, al
the battle of Churubusco.
Rumors put into circulation by the thoughtless
and malicious generally do not deserve the atten.
ton of sensible persons but when an officer OF
the army knows that false charge is brought
through the public prints against the reputation
Of another, however exalted or humble, it becomes
his duty to place at least at the disposal Of the
party ottemptedto be injured, such statement
Of facts MS truth and justice demand In the
glorious rivalry between your distinguished oppo-
nent and yourself, neither, / am sure, would
value triumph achieved by unworthy means