Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-08-11
For the Spectator.
Gen. Scott not n Catholic.
WASHINGTON Auoust 9, 1876:

WASHINGTON August 2, 1852.
By private letters and other sources, I learn that
in Virginia and elsewhere, Gen. Scot is opposed
on the ground that he is Roman Catholic. Now,
if this were true, the objection comes with bad
grace from the party whose most popular Presi-
dent (Gen. Jackson,) appointed r. b. fancy, a
devoted Catholic, Chief Justice of the United
States If be disqualification it lies more for
cbly against Chief Justice who is in Office for
life, and who nterprets the laws, than President
who is only in office for four years. The Wings
made no outcry against Gen. Jackson because he
appointed Catholic to the highest judicial office,
why should Democrats try to make capital a.
mongst jealous Protestants BY the argument Scott
is Catholicl 1t is poor argument if true, but
| it is not true.
Gen. Scott was born and baptized in the bosom
of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was
confirmed by Bishop Madison, previous to his 90
ing to William and Mary College at an early age,
and he is at this hour regular and apparently de-
vout worshipper in st. Johns Church in this city
On this subject permit me to quote from 'T'he
Presbyterian, religious paper of Philadelphia, a
statement made by its Washington correspondent
Immediately after the nomination; and when your
readers are informed that the reputed, and doubt
not the real author of there letter and of this state
ment, is the Rev. ID. \. Junkin, ID. d., who is
personally acquainted with Gen. Scott, they will
not doubt its truth To do Dr. Junkin Justice, and
show that he did not write as partizan, give
the whole paragraph. After expressing the wish
that men would show as much concern about the
question, who shall administer over us eternal
Government as the National Convention exhibit
ed in regard to the question of the Presidency, he
says
81 said in former letter. that there was no
doubt of n bad man being nominated by either par
ty and the result has realized the prediction. 1t
is not the province of religious Journals to discuss
the merits of candidates for office, nor even to re-
port facts that may have an injurious bearing on
any. But something may with propriety be said
bv way of information and which the readers of
newspaper have right to expect, and which may
forestal misrepresentation on all hands. Gen.
Pierce do not know personally but my next door
neighbor does. Ofthe other three gentlemen
| have personal knowledge and it gives me pleas
ure to say, that my information and knowledge
warrant me in declaring that all four are men OF
good moral character. Gen. Pierce was formerly
known here some years ago, as the representative
of his State in Congress and more recently as
commander Of brigade in Mexico.
''Mr. King has national fame,a AS dignlfed.up-
right and able Senator and statesman. Gen.
Scott was Lawyer by profession in early liie,and
has for more than forty years been soldier. He
has all his life been aborious student and heard
gentleman who differs with him in politics, say
on Thursday last that he considered him 'One OF
the best informed men of the country Mr.. Ora
ham has been long and favourably known as a
Statesman. scholar and a gentleman. am often
asked, especially by religious people, what are the
religiosp s that publicman! The
inquiry is reasonable one, and ought to be an
swered, although hope the day is far distant,
when the people Of our country will either prefer
or reject man because Of his religious opinions.
provided he is truly moral and uprtgM man.
Gen. Pierce, am informed,is by education Con-
gregationalist, though not a Church member MIR
King is Protestant Episcopalian in his profession.
Gen. Scott is Protestant EpscoPalian. worship
ping in St. Johns Church in this city. Mr. Graham
is by birth and education Presbyterian, though not
a COMMUNICATE in any Church his Lady is a
member of the Baptist Church. 1t is to be devout-
ly desired that, the political press will conduct the
canvass between these worthy gentlemen upon
high national grounds without disappearing prl
vate character and without raising issues not per-
tanning 10 the contest"
1t is unquestionable that Gen. Scott is decided
Protestant, worshipping regularly at Protestant
churches only, although he is by no means na,Toio
or prosecuting in his views. To settle this ques-
ton in your region, | will give you number of
the names of Clergymen here, in addition to the
one mentioned who will promptly answer any
doubter, and indeed any representative in Congress
here can settle the matter.
AS to the false and absurd report, that in accor-
dance with Gen. Scott's orders a regiment had
been made to kneeI to ''the host at Pueba in
Mexico it is ''totalIy false" At the time regi-
ment was said to have been ordered to salute
Catholic soIennity by Col. Childs, Gen. Scott was
in the Valley Of Mexico, more than 100 miles a
way. If these false and absurd reports, like
thousand others, are circulated against an old He
70, it would be well to call their abettors to the
proof There is no proof but abundant evidence to
the contrary.
Gen. Scott like prudent commander of an in
vading army was careful to make the impression
that the war was upon the cira not on the relig-
io,y government of Mexico, and his civil code for
the Government while in Mexico, proves him to
be acvlan of the highest order L.
o. The Hon. Humphrey Marshall, of Ken
tpcl,, bas besan anrninted Commissioner to China.