The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1852-10-14
Gen. ScOtrS speech I'm Lexington
Kentucky,


After the reception and very happy adj
dress by Mr. Harlan, the Gen. said:
Happy indeed am | to find myself in your
midst. II is a proud moment in my history,
that in which ] stand upon the threshold Of
the capitol of Kentucky, surrounded by such
avast assemblage Of her intelligent and pa
tri0tic citizens. and thus receive the spon-
taneous greeting extended to me through
your eloquent organ, in whom | am proud to
say recognize ah ancient and valued friend.
Need say that all these events fill my heart
~ith delight. Need l say that my obliga-
uona TO Kentucky are as great as my re-
men.brance of Kentucky are fraught with
qualification! Kentucky, Kentucky! Her
State abounds with patriots and heroes, and
prc-eminently she stands among her sister
States, from the time of Daniel Boone,
through the years Of Shelby and the glorious
Scott. men Gov. Scott, the hero famed
in the Revolutionary war-down to my own
time, down to the days when had the honor
and the advantage of standing side by side
with Kentucky's valiant sons, opposed TO
British regulars or to Mexican myriads. Yes,
Kentucky's sons have ever done their duty
have ever proved themselves equal to any
emergency and capable Of contending with
any troops in the world. II has been my lot
TO serve with them, among others, and never
will fail to bear witness to their valor and
their discipline.
/ need not, however, refer to the deeds of
your valiant sons in Mexico-deeds which
are familiar to you all. | need not speak of
( that bloody field on which SO many Of your
relatives were slain. need not speak Of
Buena Vista, for one is here who was ac-
lively engaged on that occasion. He will
tell you of the zeal of Kentuckians upon
that occasion-he will speak Of the heroes
who fell upon that glorious day. But, may
say with pride, that it has been my lot to
serve upon other occasions with Kentucky's
valiant sons. may refer with swelling, il
with sad heart, to her gallant Campbell,
by whose side fought and whose eye, alas,I
closed with NY own hand in death. But,
why dwell upon these scenesl 1t does not
need words OF mine to prove that Kentucky
/ is unquesti0nable the FIRST State in war-the
first State in peace-and always the first in
devotion to our glorious Union. That devo.
ton pervades all classes of her citizens! II
is evident in her soldiers and in her states
men, and it was embodied in all its fervor
and depth in the person Of that most eminent
of her sons, the great orator and statesman
who has so recently taken his departure from
these scenes ofearth, and left q sadness in
the hearts of the sons OF Kentucky, as he
has left blank in the councils OF the nation.
And who is there here, that does not love
/ this glorious Union with as deep and lasting
an affection! Not one. And /, too, am u
humble servant and deyotee of that Union.
/ I, too, would stand firmly by her side, wheth-
er threatened by domestic traitors or by for
( eign fUes. | have not, perhaps, the power
to say that this Union shall not be dissolved
while survive, but can say that it shall
not be overthrown and leave me survivor.
To the latest hour of my life,w will defend it,
alike from Northern and from Southern ia
natics. | say not this as an idle boast.
have sale ii in the hour of darkness and of
peril, and therefore may I.repeat it in these
hours of peace, OF enjoyment, and of pros
iperity.
But, my friends, must conclude. For
this reception l thank you all my country
men. And by this term, permit me to say, I
include all classes-Democrats and Wings
native born and adopted citizens-for I
have no doubt, men Of all parties are here,
who have come forward to welcome
two old soldiers to your midst. Gen. Wool
is a moderate Democrat, and am not big
oted or infatuated Whig. | may then address
you all when / return you thanks, as now
! do, sincerely and truly for your Kindness
Thanks, my fellow citizens, thanks to one
and all