The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1852-09-16

'tesehce OF the religious SCatholic) obserV;
Iuces Of the Mexicafs. We give the order
entire, though part Of it has no relation T.,
he matter under discussion. Here it is:
'~.- HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, =.
Mexico, Sept. "a, lS47.
GENERAL oRDERs-No. 297.
I. Here, rs in all Roman Catholic coun.
tries,there are frequent religious professions,
in the streets as we'll as in churches-such
as the elevation Of the host, the viaticum,
&c.
2. The interruption Of such processions
has already been prohibited in orders, and
as no civilized person will ever wantonly do
any act to hurt the religious feelings Of 9TH
ers, il is earnestly requested Of all Protest.
ant Americans either to keep out Of the,
way, or to pay to the Catholic religion and
its ceremonies every decent mark ofrespect
and Difference.
9. In the case of the viaticum Visits Of
consolation TO the sick and dying0 eomman-
ders of corps are requested when called up
on, to allow two Roman Catholic soldiers to
perform the usual functions on such occa-
sions. M gs
4. There is every reason u believe that
a very large distribution of knives anu diffas
has recently been made to liberated convicts
(thieves and murderers) for the purpose of
assassinating American soldiers found drunk
or otherwise off their guard. s, ~, In
5. Measures are in progress to search out
and seize for execution the instigators and
leaders of these assassins. In the mean
time guards and patrols will search all sus-
picious persons, disarm, and, if necessary,
confine them for trial and punishment.
BY command of Major General Scott.
H. l.. ScoTT, A. A.A. G.
We shall not write one line in defence,
nor even in explanation OF that order. There
it is; and if any one sees fit to vote against
Gen. Scott because of It, let him go ahead!
The hero cannot need such votes to elect
him.
We give fuller account Of Gen. Scoct's
course with respect to the religion ofMexi-
CO from the pen of an officer who was with
him throughout bis NexcaS campaign. We
give this also without comment, for none
can be needed:
TO the Editor Of the BerhS and SchuylkiH
Journal:
desire to make, through the columns of
your widely circulated paper, brief public
statement concerning Gen. Scott and the
Catholics in Mexico. | do this because the
question has been asked me an hundred
times over within the last month-"Did
! Gen. Scott order you to kneel before the
Catholic priest while in Mexico!" Now, it
was my good fortune to follow Gen. Scott
| from his landing at Vera Cruz to the City of
Mexico, and can say in all candor and
truth, that never heard of such an order,
nor do believe any body else ever heard of
such an order, emanating from Gen. Scott.
True, he was respectful and humane in all
that he did or said to the Mexicans. This
is stamped indelibly upon the page Of histo-
ry, and you may search its records in vain
for campaign that was conducted with such
unparalleled humanity as that in Mexico.
Soon after the battle of Cerro Gordo, he
adressed "a humane and re-assuring proc
lamaton to the Mexican people," In that
document he tells them:
"We have not prolaned your temples, nor
abused your women, nor seized your proper
ty, as they would have you believe"
"We say this with pride, and we confirm
it by your ow n bishops, &e.
"The army Of the United States respects,
and will always respect, private property of
every description, aud the property Of the
Mexic, Churches
"Mexicans!-the past cannot be redcem-
ed, but the future may be provided for. Re-
peatedly have shown you that the Govern
ment and people of the United States de-
sire pracc-desire your sincere friendship"
81 am marching with my army upon Pu-
ebla aud Mexico. | do not conceal it; from
those Capitols shall again address you.
desire peace, friendship and union. 1t is for
you to elect whether yon prefer war. Un-
der any circumstances, te assured I shall
not fail in my words ~.
With such peaceful and conciliatory mes
d sages did Gen, Scott address the Mexican
people. And while he did so, lie asked his
soldiers to act as became Americans. No
such humilations as foul-mouthed politicians
would have the people believe, were ordered
by him; and | now do, in justice to the Com
mander-in- Chief, and in justice to every
soldier that followed him through the cam
paign, pronounce the charge .ibelous false
hood, and its author, if not base dema-
, goguc, political falsifer, whose blackened
heart is destitute Of every principle of truth
and honor.
The slandcr originated, perhaps, from the
fact that Col. Childs--a veteran officer Of
the lst Artillery--did, while acting Govern
or Of Jalapa, order the main guard to salute
Il e'Host as it PASSED the guard house. .---
am not sufficiently posted up in the cere-
monies of the Romish Church, to give q
correct description Of the parading of the
Host. As much as saw, however, it was
procession that formed at one of the chur-
: ches, consisting Of one or two priests, bear
ing crosses; these were preseeded by three
boys, who carried bells, and rung them
while the procession moved. TO notify. the
{ people OF their approach. The priests are
/, followed by single file professions. consisting
of about3 or 40,walking on either side Of the
: street. These Dearlyall carry lanterns, Gt
r being alwuysin the nighDand as they move
} along the streets singing chants, the Mex
/, leans reverence it, by getting on their knees
! where they remain uncovered until the pro-
: cession is out Of sight. When it passes a
5 military post, the guard is always turned GU,
t to salute the Host. This they do by get
? ting on their knees and coming to present
: arms; and it was this, that Col. Clilds or
: dered our guard to do during a parade Of the
t hosts, through the streets Of Jaiapa, and NO
: one that is fully acquainted viii the circum-
stances Of the case, will charge that veteran
officer OF impure motives in so ordering.
!, don't know what hisprinciples sre, nor
do ! care, whether he is Wing or a Demo-
crat, Catholic or Protestant. What
: care for his political or religious creed, SO
d SO long as he is consistent and pure in his