Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-10-07
Speech Of Gen. Scott.

during the Mexican war, and with hav-
ing cruelty hung others, the matter was
brought to hls attention while on visit
to that city last week by Judge Heyl.-
In a speech which the General subse-
quently made at Columbus, he replied
to the charge as follows
New, and before unknown TO me,
are such things as have now been told
me. They surprise and they pain me.
They at once concern all that value
personally, and aim blow at all that,
wherein, il l know myself have the
highest pride. They attack my own
identity. The principles for which, 1
had believed, need never search my
own bosom in vain, are here undermin-
ed or denied me am met with char
ges OF injustice and cruelty-while lead
ing an American Army through Mexi-
CO, and while participating alike in its
trials and triumphs
Gentlemen, il toas my lot to lead an
American army upon foreign feld.-
| went, resolved to sustain, in the fore.
front OF my progress, the high. tide pdi
er marx of our Opn american Cirilisd-
tion, in all its moral and civil virtue
The standard OF our oWn and not the
practices Of that foreign country, was
the standard which l sought for the
government Of mems passions and the
control OF the license and excesses Of
war. Alike to Americans, whether ma
tive or OF foreign birth, and TO Mexicans,
l declared my purpose, and exhibited
my principles of ction.
| promulged the martial code. Doubt
less you all have read il. deemed it
necessary. could do nothing without
it. 1t announced the spirit Of our pro-
gress, and held amenable to punishment
all who forgot manhood, and threatened
to bring shame upon our fiag-dishonor
to our arms-or reproach upon our
virtue Without il, we had not con-
quered, or if we had conquered, the
brightest trophy Of the conquest had
been wanting. 1t would have been
physical triumph, and a physical triumph
alone. Humanity would have dIsown-
ed US promulged that order. Read
i, and read it again, gentlemen, and
then bear me witness, that il was in my
heart, as il was almost hourly on my
lips, for continued months, TO carry with
American arms, and under tic Ameri-
can flag, even into All enemy's country,
all the elements Of social order, and that
regard for personal right that belonged
10 our own free institutions in the United
States.
Yes, l sought to carry with me, and
resolved to maintain at all hazards,
among my own command, and also that
people among whom we should be
thrown, that high standard OF virtue
Had / not been less than an American,
and recreant to the highest interests Of
humanity, and the age we rejoice in, if
had done ess2 They say hanged
some Germans, and tied up and fogged
others. Gentleman, some persons Were
hanged in Mexico. The names of all
OF them do not now recollect. Wheth-
er any OF them were Germans or not, |
know not. But for ,ehat yes, for what
were they hanged? hanged one for
murder, gentlemen; l hanged one for
rape upon an innocent young female,
and for proianc and wicked church rob-
berry. All knew the laW that was over
them. Every man of them knew he
would be held as answerable for vile
misdeeds against the laws Of God and
man, as il he were then upon American
soil
"For such crimes they Hfsred-ftr such
crimes as here, in your own Ohio-a
land of would have brought down
upon them severe penalties, and with
equal justice. Some did suffer death
But their trial was fair, impartial and
upon the same principles Of solid law
upon which they would have been ad-
judged guilty, here, among you. Do
some say hanged fifteen Germans, and
that othsrs were arraigned and fogged
without cause or trial. Gentlemen, |
know nothing oft. II is ialsc-it is a
ie-an invention, gentlemen-a LIE.
see aged citizens before ne. see emf
nent lawyers here. And, gentlemen,
you see me much ercited. But is II not
Tor cause For one, who, for fifty
years has scarcely ever walked, rose,
slept or eaten, or even taken a cup OF
cold water, in the field the town, or the
camp, but that his thoughts were OF his
cruntry-her virtues-her renown-her
honor TO be thus assaicd"--it is mon
strous-it is intolerable Gentlemen, |
did, with high hand, sustain the law,
which. with uprightness in my heart, |
determined to sustain. did hang for
murder did hang for treason! and l
hogged thieves and plckpockets For,
gentlemen, let me again say, not only
carried with me, but | resolved, with
every resource ] could command, to
sustain, iearlessly and efiectually, in its
virtue and ito choicest blessings, not on
ly 10 my own command, but TO defence
less and peaceable Mexicans, that cvili-
zalion-yes, that Christian civilization
OF which was proud to believe that ar
my might appear worthy representa-
live.
But, gentlemen, was no rcspecter
OF persons. American or Mexican-na-
tive or foreign born-whoever knew the
law and obcyed II not-whoevcr,' rcck-
lees OF his own responsibilities, and the
rights OF others, irampled under foot and
set AT Daught the law that was over all,
| punished. did hang for the crimes
stated and ] would have hung an hun
dred seekers Of innocen, blood, aud vio-
lators OF female chastity, IL so muny had
been the offenders And Tor this per.
verted and misshapcd. ! am made ans
werabIc TO charge against which my
every feeling reyolts, and which my
whole nature and my whole life repel.-
No, gentlemen, il is Il lie, (the charge,
az made, or that any were " rongly pun
ished, lalse and groundlsss Inc. 1
am not unthankiul TO my good iri,nd