Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1852-10-27
why should we Vote for Winfield
Scott!

Tho following eloquent extract from
speech lately delivered by Judge Conrad at
Harrisburg Pa. answers the question:
"Somo forty-fve years since, youthful stu
dent sat in the office OF sage of tho Old Do
minion, b. Watkins Leigh, and pondered on
the condition of his country and tho duty that
he owed her. The times were out of joint
The nations seemed loosened from their moor
ings, and were driven clashng on the waves 0
all almost universal war. like icobergs in pc
lar tempest. Our own bright land did not cs-
cape the storm. Her flag had been outraged
upon every sea; her sons dragged into slavery.
and even forced TO raise u parrcdal arm against
their country War was inevitable, and ut
fearful odds--a war not only for honor and
freedom, but for existence itself. Was 1t well
that he, that gifted student, every pulse oil
whose heart beat for his dear country should
nurse bis schemes of tranquil ambition, when
such peril and such duty invoked him No;
and his high brow glowed and his quick ego
flashed, as he vowed himself for life or death
to the cause of his country. BY that resolve
was Winfield Scott-every faculty Of his high
nature, every drop of his noble heart-dedca-
ted to the duties of patriotism. Never was a
purer offering laid upon holier altar; and for
that for that noble resolve. and its noble full
hlment do | now claim your admiration and
gratitude.
The gathering clouds soon burst upon our
country, She struggled, but her heart seemed,
for time, faint, and her arm nerveless Ca.
lamity followed calamity, until in the base sur
render of Hull, treason and reproach were adj
dcd 10 her Affections. Her heart swelled her
frame quivered with rage, and she shed hot
tears OF shame and sorrow. One patriot there
was who determined that the gulph of shame,
like that Of Curtius should be closed, though
it entombed him; and he offered himselfa sacri-
fec. In tho desperate struggle on the heights
of q queenstown, death itself seemed to shrink
from his daring. "You are the target of every
rihe-cover your uniform with this coat said
Kearney to Scott. "Never y was his reply.
81 will die in my robes" l derive this fact
through an eminent opponent from kearney
himself. Surrounded an overwhelming force,
Scott thus addressed his men. Can Greek or
Roman History afford parallel? "Hulfs ig-
nomnious surrender" he said, "must be re-
trieved. Let us, then, die arms in hand. Our
country demands the sacrifice. The example
will not be lost. The blood Of the slain will
make heroes of the living Who is ready for
tho sacalhce" Hull's surrender was retrieved;
their gallantry did wipe out that stain-the first
and last-of our country; but Scott became the
prisoner of the foe and, amid the perils and
privations Of such captivity, surrounded by
British tyrants and Indian assassns, he filled
the first measure of his sacrifices for his coun-
try. For this | ask votes for the patriot, and
inquire in his own words at Queenstown, Are
you ready r.
again Scott was free-again at the head of
a gallant band of freemen-and again before a
superior force of the enemy; for his have been
no holiday achievements; every laurel leaf on
his brow has lost death struggle. Lundy's
Lane is one of the best fought fields in history.
The sun went down upon the conflict and the
night wore on-the harvest moon struggling
through the clouded heavens and ftfully light
ing up the field where Death was the only
reaper; and yet volley answered volley deafen.
/ ing Niagara; and the clash of bayonets, and the
shrieks and shouts Of the combatants made
night hdeous. Scott was the very spirit of the
battle storm. His tall form was seen, crimson
wi'h blood, in every desperate ed ly ofthe fight
ana ms clarion voice was heard above the wild
: est DIN OF the conflict. He throttled victory
and conquered against fate. And when cover
| ed with wounds supposed to be mortal he fell,
:. his last orders were TO charge and his last eff
tort murmured shout of victory. For this,
J ask your votes. Let the people give but one
suffrage for each red drop that then pushed
from his gored bosom-pourod out for them