The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-10-25
Democratic Testimony In General Scott's
Favor.

8 Favor.
4 Colonel W. S. HAMILTON, former Demo
cratic candidate for Governor of Louisiana, has
{ declared his intention to support General SCorT,
and has issued an elaborate statement of the
reasons which lead him to this conclusion. He
contrasts the characters and lives Of the two
candidates. and pronounces in favor of the
SWhig as in every respect better qualified for
the Presidency, and as fully entitled to it on
Es.he ground of protracted and meritorious servi-
ices in his country's cause. Colonel HAMILTON
remarks:
y Though am Democrat, cordially unite with
tho Wings in the effort to elect General Scott Chief
D Magistrate of the United States. As early as the
8 year 1903 we introduced ourselves to each other
Sby military salutations, have served together in
Epeace and in war, and have corresponded famil-
4 iarly for nearly forty-two years. think that
: know him well and intimately, and am somewhat
8capable ofjudging of his merits, having had ample
time and opportunity for serious study of charac-
! tier. better officer, more able man, or one
more honorable, generous, and kind hearted per-
haps the sun never shone upon, speak from my
own experience, and give my own opinion; others,
J of course. will judge for themselves.
"It would be presumption to assert that of the
many millions of his countrymen he is the most
Bcapable of filling highest civil Office. But il
may we'll be asserted that he has rendered greater
servcss to his country than any other now liv,
ling; and that in every situation in which he has been
tried, in civil and military matters, (both of which
he has conducted under his army commission, } he
has proved himself faithful, capable, and patriotic
He might well. then, be placed in competition with
ntIr ooft fnr tha ,,,Hr af tto 40
: But by the system of convention nominations the
selection ID narrowed down, and the choice ia be-
tween twoindividuas. 1t 80 happens that no poin,
of comparison can be presented, and that the mind
only be disturbed by contrasts If party tactics
were not invoked, and certain words inscribed on
a banner, the decision would be an easy matter.
q "The American people should reflect that the ban
to be upheld is that of the country, and that
8strong and able hand, pure, well tried veteran
and patriot, ia alone worthy to hold it aloft
Diminish the dignity of the office, and one ensign
: may be called upon as we'll another; and when
: he gets tired a sergeant can relieve him. This
to my mind, ia not the spirit Of our institutions"
He proceeded to show that General SCoTI
has given the strongest guarantees Of his attach
= ment to the South and its institutions, and in
: this connection produces an extract from let
ter addressed to himself by General SCOTT in
1851:
"WAsHINGroN, July 81, 1851.
s. "MY DEAR H.: There is a northern paper OF
very general circulation which represents me as
an opponent Of the Compromise measures of the
> last Congress- Now, if be not devoted to the
whole country, to the Constitution, and all its
: compromises, then my entire life has been a lie
was here in July, August, and September, 1850,
during the agony of the public mind those g-ea,
measures, and think may positively assert that
3i did more to promote the passage of the bills, in
5cudng the one for the capture of fugitive slaves,
than any man in the United States not member
: of Congress For my efforts with members Of the
two Houses, and the part took in the Cabinet, /
appeal to Mr. F., &C., &c. From the settle
ment Of the vexed question, which | regard as
happy one, have constantly urged that ought to
be taken as final and perpetual. feel myself much
: hurt that single American can be found to doubt
me matter so deeply affecting love of country.
This ia not said for you, my friend.''
The New Orleans Campaign Republic, in
which Colonel HAMILToN's communication ap-
pears, thus refers to his character and position:
"Colonel Hamilton is we'll known throughout
{ the South gentleman of high moral and intel.
4ECtuti ms pohtiSiau, He has lung oeeh
! regarded able and influential leader in the
democratic ranks. His decided and ardent sup
port of General Scott at this time cannot but pro-
duce its effect upon those who know him person
ally, and the undeniable historical facts which he
has lncidly arrayed in support of his conduct,
3cannot fail to influence the mind of every candid
1 rcader From our own personal knowledge of the
| Imam, we know that nothing short of assurance
adoubly sure, as regards the question of southern
rights, could induce him to yield up hs fealty
: to his party in support of Wing, even though he
\ be his personal friend and that Wing known to be
worthy OF his suffrage