Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-10-15
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
from the Baltimore American.l
General Scott In Mexico.


: The career of Gen. Scott at the head OF his
army in Mexico, from the landing at Vera Cruz
to the capture of the city of Mexico and the an
furlng of the stars and the stripes from the bat
Elements of the National Palace is emblazoned
by series of victories 80 brilliant that they stand
forth to the world to illustrate by their own light
every step Of that glorious progress.
The civil administration of Gen. Scott in Mex
leo is not 80 fully known and appreciated It
will be remembered that upon his taking posses
sion Of the city of Mexico the officials of the
Mexican Government fed and were dispersed,
and that republic was without an administration
which might protect them in their rights of prop
erty and in their religious observances.' One of
the first duties, therefore, of Gen. Scott was to
organize an efficient administration which should
secure these ends-and this he did in manner
SO admirable and so effective that the Mexicans,
for the first time perhaps in their history, knew
by experience something Of the blessings of good
government. Hence the protfer which we are
told was made to Gen. Scott to accept the Presi-
dency of that Republic, with magnificent salary
and emoluments, and full endowment of power.
For six months General Scott stood at the head
Of civil and military government in Mexico. He
had accomplished o great work he had done it
in manner which reflected new glory upon his
country's arms and his own prowess and he had
consolidated his conquest by an organized admin
istration which fully secured the peace of the
country, and ample protection to personal, civil,
and religious rights Of the people. 1t would be
expected now of course that this victorious con-
querer, who had shown himself SO eminent both
as warrior and a stateman, having accomplished
his work and put an end to the war in manner
so glorious, would be called home by grateful
government to be received with thanks, and
plaudits, and the honors of triumph.
But the President then in power was Mr.. Polk,
the nominee of Democratic Convention such as
Mr.. Pierce is now. 1t suited the narrow views
and selfish purposes Of that parsonage to defraud
General Scott, as far as he could do 50, of
nations gratitude SO justly due, and to have him
come home under a cloud. The following con-
clusion of q sketch by an eyewitness, Mr.. War
land, now editor of the Lowell Journal, who
served in Mexico, may show how General Scott
was called away from the scene of his triumps:
In six months, to day, from the date Of his
own announcement of the occupancy of the capi-
tai, General Scott stood in the National Palace
prisoner, and the chains forged by American
hands at home. He was summoned before court
of inquiry in the palace and as he stood up be-
fore his judges, his interiors, his tall and COM
mapdng form the observed of all observers,
pleading his rights, modestly alluding to his
own services, and portraying the wrongs he
had received, one could not but say, alas,
there is reason to complain Of the ingratitude Of
republics"
On the morning of the 14th of March following
his entrance into the capital he stood before that
court in the Palace, and addressed his accusers.
His words, as he steod up boldly and respect
fully before them in the great saloon we have re-
ferred to, were as follows:
Here in the capital of Mexico conquered by
the American arms under my command, find
myself but prisoner at large-the chief crimi-
nal before this court. Stricken down from a high
command, from q high military position, the
highest, perhaps, ever occupied by any individ
ual since the days of the Father ef his Country
the immortal Washington-I feel deeply wound
ed my military pride has been cast down into
the dust, not by the public enemy, but by the
long arm Of power from home. All that could
be done an that quarter to degrade and humble
nae, has been DONE But, sustained by the AL
mightys arm, feeling strong in conscious recti-
tude, strong in mind ond body, | bid defiance to
my accursers."
There was not an American in Mexico who, as
he listened 10 these words, and saw the old hero,
like Columbus in chains dishonored by his own
coantry, did not feel mortified and ashamed that
he should have received such treatment The
whole matter Of the csurt, as every one knows
proved to be magnificent farce, and was finally
dropped, as if the only object of its instigators
had been to degrade Scott upon the very theatre
OF his glorious renown.
And now the scene changes again.
On the morning Of the 22d OF April it became
known to some few that General Scott was about
to leave the capital Of Mexico for his home In
the evening Of that day q large assemblage Of the
friends of the gallant hero collected in front Of
his quarters in the city of Mexico, and bade him
farewell by grand serenade Several very ap-
propriate and touching airs we're played, and, at
the close Of the very spirit stirring sounds Of
q Hail to the Chief" the commanding form Of the
General was seen to come to the front Of the bal
copy, from whence he bowed his Enthusiastically,
il is true; but the feelings Of many bounding
and warm heart responded, and three loud and
hearty cheers we're given for General Scott, as he
disappeared from the window.
The next morning there was an affecting scene
in front Of his quarters, as he came out TO start
upon his journey to Vera Cruz. The Rife Guard
was drawn up to receive him, and rs ne passed
thew presented arms to their beloved commander
for the last time, and shed tears like children
and so affected was the old hero that he could
hardly get into his carriage. Officers and men
crowded around him, and as he was too much |
overcome to receive them all, those who had not
the happiness of shaking hin by the hand were
plad 10 Qet sight Of him as he departed Those
who had not evcna chance Of seeing him mounted
their horses and followed him on the road, deter
mined that he who had led them from victory to
victory should not leave the valley Of his great
operations without one adieu. Around his car
he was too much exhausted by his late
heavy labors, and the emotion of parting with his
brothers in arms, to ride on horseback-as it
along the causeway to FL Penon, the
ofRcers crowded, and as fast as one could give the
''God bless you, General" and fall back, his
place was supplied by another, and so the adeus
continued for long way on the road.
And thus did Winfield Scott leave Mexico
going, virtually, prisoner from the capital
vb;ch but n few months before he had entered as
A triumphant conqueror Will not the people
bear this fact in mind, now that they have an
Of bestowing their loftiest honors
upon one who has reflected such lofty honor and