Daily American telegraph., 1852-06-28

A Chieftain Great In War and Peace.
A grand and radical error has generally been
made by our countrymen in supposing that a
brilliant legislator must necessarily be an able
executive officer Such is seldom the case. 1t
is the more silent and circumspect statesman in
whom the highest order Of administrative talent
is usually found. Neither Washington, Jefferson,
Monroe, nor Jackson was an orator; nor have
there been many orators or snowy statesmen
among the most able Of the cabinet officers since
the formation Of the government, although the
prejudice in favor of such men has very commonly
thrown these Offices into their hands. Webster,
Clay, and few others, are exceptions.
Yet it is claimed by many for our carpet ora
tors that they alone are adequate to the right
administration of governmental affairs and that
a military commander, however accomplished in
ernment, is unsuited, by want Of the proper kind
of experience, for the task dcvolying upon the
Presidential Office. This will seldom be asserted
by one who knows the qualities that constitute
the intelligent able, and successful general. AL
though it is possible for rash and fearless man
to win battles, it is not possible for scientific
soldier to pass for forty years through crises Of
| fearful responsibility with unerring success with
out the possession of administrative talent of the
| highest order. And none who have witnessed
such general in council, and witnessed the wis
dom and circumspection that mark his every
word and action, will doubt that he is competent
to the administration of our government in the
tranquil hours of peace.
But the present honored candidate of the Wing
party of the United States is not to be tried in
novel situation. He has given many exhibitions
of his skill and circumspection in diplomacy, and
his country has been we'll pleased with the results
of his efforts.
"After the burning of the Caroline, in 1885
&c." the Richmond Whig remarks, "the whole
population on our Northern frontier, from Detroit
to Vermont, were in high state of excitement.
They sympathized very warmly with the Cana
dian patriots; and this outrage infamed them to
the highest pitch of fury. The public expected
every day to hear of some act of retaliation which
would precipitate US in war with Great Britain
At that time Gen. Scott was sent to the disturbed
region. He went not to exercise his skill and
valor as o general, but to employ the weapons Of
persuasion. He acted in the capacity of pacf-
Gator. His object was to preserve peace-one
far more difficult, under the circumstances, than
half dozen victories. The public feeling was
intensely reused, and it required the greatest
tact, the most perfect self-command and knowl-
edge Of human nature, and, withal, fine powers
of oratory, to appease the excited masses and
preserve the public peace. But he was equal to
the ardhous task When great enterprises are to
be undertaken, he is the man for the occasion
He never shrank from one and never failed to
accomplish it. BY indefatigable exertions, he
succeeded in this emergency, as he had succeeded
in every other of his eventful life"
The success of General Scott in warfare has
scarcely exceeded that in diplomatic negotiation,
wherever he has essaycd it; and while in the
profession of arms no higher honors can await
him., the civic wreath shall yet adorn his brow in
the most exalted position to which his country
can elevate him!