Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-10-07
Brilliant Speech of Gen. Scott at Colum'
hns.

The communication made TO Gen. Scott evil
IDENTIFY took him by surprise, but it aroused
his great spirit, and his remarks were wor-
thy of the occasion.
Judge Hcyl waited upon Gen. Scott, and,
on behalf of some Of our German citizens,
referred TO paragraph from the Westbote,
German paper, published in this city and
containing the statement that Gen. Scott
tied to one tree and hoggcd fifteen Germans,
while in Mexico.
Other charges, of his having hanged
others cruelty add unjustly, were aslo re-
ferred TO.
Never have we witnessed scene more
imposing than when the cid cheftain, with
quick and indignant response, repealed the
false and malignant charge. Lofty Ia stat
ure, and standing at least four inches above
the tallest of those where he stood, his form
seemed gigantic, as with heightened color
and flashing eye, and wave of his hand
that expressed calm defiance ofall such as
sailants, he uttered his emphatic protest
against such assaults as that paragraph pre-
sented:
New, and before unknown TO me, are
such things as now have been told to me-
They surprise and pain me. They at once
concern all that value personally, and aim
blow at all that wherein, i'll know myself,
| have the highest pride. They attack my
own identity! The principles for which,
| had believed, need never search my own
bosom in vain, are here undermined or de-
MED me? | am met with charges of injus-
tice and cruelty, while leading an American
army through Mexico, and while participa-
ting alike in its trials and triumphs
''Gentlemen, it pas my lot TO lead an
American army upon foreign field. l
went, resolved to sustain, in the forefront
of my progress, the high tide-wafer of our
o,rn american cirlisation, in all its moral
! and civil virtue. The standard of our o,rn
and mol the practices of that foreign country,
was the standard which l sought for the
government of mems passions and the con-
troll of the license and excuses Of war;
Alike TO Americans, whether native or Of
foreign birth, and to Mexicans, | declared
my purpose, and exhibited my principles of
action.
Il promulged the martial code. Doubt
less you have read it. | deemed it neceSsa-
ry. l could do nothing without it. 1t an
nounced the spirit Of our progress, and held
amenable to punishment all who forgot man.
hood, and threatened to bring shame upon
our flag, 'dishonor to our arms, or a reproach
upon our virtue! Without it, we had not
conquered or if we had conquered, the
brightest trophy of our conquest had been
wanting. 1t would have been q physical
triumph, and physical triumph alone
Humanity would have disowned us. pro-
inulged that order. Read it and read it
again, gentlemen, and then bear me witness
that it was in my heart, as it was almost
hourly on my lips, for continued months, to
carry with American arms, and under the
American flag, even into an enemy's coun-
try, all the elements of social order, and
that regard for personal right that belonged
to our free institutions in the United States
:, eyes, sought to carry with me, and re-
solved to maintain, at all hazards, among my
own command and also that people among
whom we should be thrown, that high
standard of virtue and honor which we
, boosted at home. Had not been less than
an American. and recreant to the highest in.
terests of humanity, and the age we rejoice
in, if / had done less? They say l hanged
some Germans, and tied up and logged
others. Gentlemen, some persons were
hanged in Mexico, the names of all of them
do not now recollect. Whether any were
2 Germans or not, know not. But for what
, yes for what were they hanged? hanged
one for murder, gentlemen; hanged one
for rape upon an Innocent young female, anC
l for, oh a1
G All knew the law that was over them
= Every man of them knew he would be helC
answerable for the vile msdeeds against thu
-. laws of God and man, as if he were then up
on American soil.
"For such crimes they suifered-for sucl
crimes as here, in your own Ohio-a lane
: of law-would have brought down upol
them severe penalties and with equal jus
e tice. Some did suffer DEATH But thei
! trial was fair, impartial, and upon the sam,
principles of solid law upon which the,
would have been adjudged guilty, here
among you. Do some sayI hanged ffteel
S Germans, and that others were arraigne,
S and logged without cause or trial? Gentle
e men, know nothing Of it. 1t is false
2 is lie-an invention, gentlemen-a lie
0 | see aged citizens before me. / see emf
G nent lawyers here. And, gentlemen, yol
4, see me much excited. But is it not fol-
= cause? For one, who, for fifty years ha
, scarcely ever walked, rose, slept, or eaten
{ or even taken a cup of cold water, in tn
r field, the town, or the camp, but that hi
S thoughts were of his country--her virtue
= her renown--her honor, to be thus as
c sailed--it is n1onStrous-it is lnioleraJle
o Gentleman, did, with high hand, sus
r tain the law, which, with uprightness IN m,
S heart, determined to sustain, l did han
r for murder! / did hang for rape! I d
hang for treason! and hogged thieves an
e pickpockets! For, gentlemen, let me agai
e say, | not only carried with me, but / re
v solved, with every resource could com
mand, to sustain, tearlessly, and efsctuall,
in its virtue and its choicest blessings, nc
only to my own command, but to defenceles
II and peaceable Mexicans, that civilization
II