The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-08-03


glory, he went to Europe and was employed
there by President Madison to ascertain the
views of Great Britain respecting the island OF
Cuba, in relation to which there were some
suspicious indications, and also to fathom the
designs of the European Courts respecting the
revolution in South America-a subject OF
great interest to our government and our citi-
zens, who were apprehensive of the establish
ment of monarchies in our neighborhood.-
The ability with which he performed these
delicate duties, was attosted by particular
letter of thanks, written to him by the then
Secretary Of State, Mr. Monroe, by the spe-
cial direction of Mr.. Madison. In 1882 he
was confdentially employed by Gen. Jackson
to repair TO South Carolina, which openly
threatened forcibe resistance and notification
OF the laws and there maintain tho authority
of the government, and secure order and
peace, and the protection of the public forts
aud property. Many of us remember the
alarming indications of that period. We were
on tho verge Of civil war. The great pres
ence of mind, the GOODNESS, forbearance and
tact of Gen. Scott averted the dire calamity.
Among the infuriated people, he mingled, and
by acts of kindness and words of peace and
patriotism, the accomplished what the sword
could not.
In 1888 our own frontier was in arms against
a neighboying province, and there existed a
frenzy that threatened to bring on war with
England. Gen. Scott was dispatched by Pre-
sident Van Buren, to the theatre of disorder !;
not SO much to quell it by force, for he had no
army with him, but to subdue it by his wisdom,
his eloquence and his frmness. These events
are SO recent, that it is only necessary to re-
cali yoir recollection of the universal applause
bestowed without distinction of party, upon
the successful pacifcator. Day and night he
traversed through the most intense cold, the
frosty regions of the North, from Detroit to
Ogdensburgh, and harangucd the misguided
people, until they abandoned their project
During these scenes he visited our own city,
and at supper given him by the members of
the Legislature and our own most distinguish
cd citizens, the following toast was given and
rapturouay drank. As he was not then a
candidate for any Office, it may be supposed
that the truth was spoken and acknowledged
by the men of all parties there assembled, and
beg leave to quote it, not only as evidence OF
what we all then thought, but of fact of the
greatest weight in the estimation of his civil
character
The SOLDIER. who has ever made the law Of the
land his supreme rule of action. and who, while he
has always fulfilled its utmost requirements has never.
iu single Instance. transcended its limits.
Fellow citizens, can lof,ier praise be bes-
towed on military chieftain, who with hosts
at bis command ready to obey his slightest
order, never, no never transcribed tho limits
of the lawl OF whom else can this be said,
with truth? Can the military habits of such
man alarm you with apprehensions that he
will forget that which he always reverenced 7
But may not dwell on this. In the midst
of these extraordinary abors he was summon
81 H., w., % sta
countrv, to effect the removal of that unfor-
tunate people across the Mississippi This
probably, was tho severest trial of his life. -
But he was bound to obey the order Of his
government, and he doubtless felt that he cod
do it in mercy. A great and semi-savaee peo-
pie were removed from the graves of their ia
theirs and the hcarthstones of their homes,
without one drop of blood being shed. The
admirable self. command prudence, forbear-
ance and tact of Gen. Scott, achieved that
which the bayonet would have failed to ac-
complish without tho destruction of one-half
the Cherokee race.
In the next year, we find him again under
the order of Mr. Van Buren, on the northeas-
tern frontier, pacifying the disturbances res
pecting the boundary, and arresting the hos
tilities, for which adverse troops were actually
encamped, burning with mutual hatred and
revenge. Again, by the Diplomatic talents of
this General, was the country saved from war.
The last opportunity for the exhibition of
his qualities as n statesman, was presented af-
ter his conquest Of Mexico. In the midst of
hostile population md the most frightful dis
orders, he organized civil administration that
gave peace and protection to the inhabitants
and restored order and responsibility. He de-
vised and established a finance, through mill
tary contributions and expenditures, which
saved millions to the country. The last act of
this description, was his plan-so characters.
tic Of his great soul-of a military asylum for
the disabled and worn out soldiers-founded
by the proceeds of their own conquests, which
he insisted belonged to them.
And now, fellow-citizens, you have before
you some of the evidences of Gen. SCOTS ca
pacity for civil government There are 9TH
ers, which from their nature cannot be public
As commanding the army, or divisions of it,
and much at the scat of Government, he was
necessarily consulted by the Presidents and
their Cabinets. They thus become thoroughly
acquainted with his energy, his sagacity, and
his prudence. Madison, Monroe, Jackson,
Var Buren, and Polk have given testimony
which may not be questioned without i'm
peaching them, of their estimation of his quail
tiles, by tho employments which have onu-
merated.
The success which has invariably attended
all his civil labors, affords still stronger testi-
mony to his great ability. After this, it looks
ike holding up farhing candle to illumin-
ate a subject all glorious with light, to add any
individual evidence. But trivial rs is tho au-
thorty, it may be satisfactory to some who
know me, to hear the results of nv own per-
sonal observations during period of great of
fetal intimacy. am ashamed to put my en-
dorsement on Gen. SCOTS paper, but will
certainly not dishonor it. A more scrupulous-
ly honest, honorable and just man, never came
in contact with me. The instances and proofs
were constant, of daily and hourly occurrence.
Personal enemies be had, although few, yet
never in the administration of the affairs of
the army, could the slightest indication of the
of enmity of favoritsm be discover
cd in his official conduct. To tho country,
instances have fallen under my own observa-
ton, whore preference was given 20 an officer