The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-13
General Scott In Georgia.


We find the following communication in the
Savannah Republican OF the 10th instant, the
editor of which journal, however, it is but just
to say, does not concur in the observations of
the writer. The communication cannot be
without effect in the conventions shortly to be
held in the State of Georgia:
Messns. EpIroas: Will you per init me to notice
very briefly the piece in your paper OF Thursday
morning headed " Important Card from Messrs.
Toombs Stephens, and others?" This card pro-
fesses to give the why the subscribers "can-
not and will not support General Scott Tor the Pre-
sidency."
l. Gen Scott up to the time Of his nomination
refused to give any public opinion in favor OF the
Compromise" In other words he refused to write
any letter, though urged to do 80. This, pre-
sume, is the refusal to give any public opinion re
ferred to- Now, although General Scott may have
erred in this matter yet it is really no objection to
him. unless he refused for the purpose of conceaing
his position on this subject. That it was not his OBJ
ject to conceal any thing, appears from the fact
that he has given the that governed his con-
duct. That reason, whatever else we may think OF
it, is reason that must command the respect OF oil
impartial men. When urged upon this subject, he
replied .sthat he would write no letter nor do any
thing which looked like seeking the nomination"
He refused to eeetioneer for the candidacy. This,
at least, was his vie,c Of the matter; and even upon
the assumption that he erred, it is view that does
no discredit to General Scott. On the contrary it
places him high and honorable ground
That it was not his object to conceal any thing.
appears again from the fact that lie did in his mea
sure and place give his support to the Compromise
from its earliest origin. He not in position
| net hp IVA MT N
Congress to support the Compromise by his
speeches. or his votes; but am yet to learn that
| his most bitter opponents, do or can charge him
with single sentiment unir'endly to tho Compro
mise. The whole testimony on this subject is pre-
cisely the other way. His own declaration on this
subject thong put in the shape of letter, ia,
that he "was an ardent supporter aud friend OF the
| Comp romise measures, from the day they were
first presented to Congress by Henry Clay, and
| that he was opposed to touching them in any man
,.er shane, or Jorm' THE surely is not the decia-
ration of q man who wished TO conceal his position
on the subject Of the Compromise
2 "Nor has he, since his nomination, made any
declaration of his approval of those measures, as
| final adjustment Of the issues in controversy
| The card admits that the resolutions OF the con
vrntiun GAS clear and explicit as need be-; out
General Scott, in his letter OF acceptance, "does
not give these resolutions the approval of his judg
iueut." In my own dgment, he could not give q
stronger expression OF approval than he has done
BY uppending the resolutions to hls letter, ne
adopts the very languay of the resolutions as hif
o,un language for giving expression to his sent
1neuts This ia not forceHcons' ruction-it is The
natural aud obvious one. General Scott annoxet
the resolutions TO his letter. and then proceeds
"The political principles and measures laid dowt
in those resolutions so broad, that but little II
left for me add" What else be gays then lie IL
addition to what he has already said in the rcsolu
tons. He does not say approve the resolutions
but he does moro-he adopts the terms and Ian
guage OF the resolutions as his own language 10
the expression OF his sentiments. Having said al
that is sad III the resolutions, he proceeds 10 sa,
something in addition. The card admits that IN
resolutions Of the convention clear AVID erpici
the language of those resolutions is the ianguag
ut General Scott By adoption. General Scott then
has been clear and cIpiiCit.
3. Il ia tald, in this card. that "amongst th
known incidents Of SCOTS life there is not enc,
far as the writer's aware in favor Of the princi
plea OF the Compromised If this remark is restt let
ed 10 the public life Of General Scott it is perhnp
true. HIS public life Is HE official life; and in tn
disc. argo OF his official dui the occasion, SO ia
as know, has never presented itseli ioF him to q,
uny thing, either against or in favor OF the primer
pies OF the Compromise. But surely it 10 mia
Iakc, il il wac intended to convey tire idea that no
thing has ever occurred IN the history oil Genere
Scotps life in favor Of the Compromise. Did b
never express himself in favor Of tho Comproinis
whilst that measure was pending before Congress
II lie did not, then has General Scott and some {
o his friends stated that whiC 10 wifuly untrue.
il not true tlat, after the passage Of the Comprc
mise, General Scott attended meeting OF il
e friends at Clstle Garden? Did he not make
speech OH that uccasion9' And is not this an inc
dent in his life in favor Of the principles OF the Com
c promise' m-,....
IF But as I understand General SCOTS letter, tn
was not his a!usion He gives in his adherence
the principles Of the Wing party rpressed in Ii
resolutions VI the convention, and io his sincerity
be appeals TO the known incidents OF his long ilt
c Now, Is there incident in that long life going
10 show that General Scott ia capable II proftcR
Il that which he does not mean? Whom has he ey,
10 deceived? When did he dr0tr principles
e which he did no, believe? When did he ever NAL
It q promise which hc did not mean strictly TO fluff
1t 4. "stnco the passage Of the Compromise,
has suffered his to be held up before toe pei
pie of several Of the States, candidate for Il
ID Presidency. by the open and avowcd enemies