The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-17
ryom d. cleselana (o.) Fsrs.. CITY.

To WINFIELD ScorT, moro tho TO any other
living man. this country 10 indebted for her present
exalted position among the nations Of the earth.
Our influence 10 felt and acknowledged by every
people with whom we have intercourse, and our
national greatness is the wonder and admiration of
the world. The proudest European despots
filed with serious apprehensons while contem-
plating The vast and increasing power of the Great
Republic" and render an unwilling homage to the
genius and military prowess of the invincible Con-
queror of Mexico. Among the powerful nations
Of Europe, the wandering descendants Of lshmael,
the tribes Of sunny Africa, the naughty and incor-
rigbe Celestials and the savages of the Islands Of
the Pacific, the American name is known and re-
spected. For the accomplishment of this darling
object, WINFIELD ScorT has, during nearly half
Ssp!ury, devoted all the energies Of his great in
he estimation in which nation is held by the
rest of the world is proportionate TO her ability to
protect the rights of her citizens. Some may object
to the application of this criterion; but there 10
something in the human breast which causes every
man when abroad to measure his own dignity and
importance by the power and extent of his country.
While the American citizen feels conscious pride
and exhibits dignifed bearing among strangers,
and receives respect approaching veneration, the
representative of weak, mbecle State is regarded
with contempt, and manifes,s the same conscious
inferiority which unbidden guest does at feast
In the formation of commercial treaties, the in
terests Of an inferior State are rarely consulted ;
while q powerful nation is treated with courteous
respect and every privilege and security guaranteed
to her citizens Independent Of these cons;dera-
tons, the people of great nation feel conscious
security in their vast power and reputation, and an
assurance that no conquering enemy will ever de-
prive them of their national liberty, rob them Of
the fruits of their industry.
At the close Of the Revolutionary struggle, we
had gained our independence and established our
national existence but, because France had rem
derad did main md oil nd tito xy
diverted Britans attention, our form Of government
was regarded as a dangerous experiment, and our
nationality dependent upon the mutual jeaousies of
the powers Of Europe. During the progress of our
last war with England, the attention Of Europe
riveted upon the terrible contest within her own
borders. The mighty Napoleon was struggling
like an expiring giant in the iron grasp Of the
despots of Europe, while the rest of the world with
fearful anxiety awaited the termination of the tre-
mendous encounter. And England, although NOR
tilted and chagrined at the result of Chippewa and
LundyS Lane, forgot the fata! stab her supremacy
had received on those hard-fought fields while ex-
ulung over her fallen adversary.
At the commencement of our war with Mexico
we had no national reputation in the East. The
United States was known favorably, but vaguely,
among the lower classes Of some Of the States of
Europe, as far-distant country, where land was
extremely cheap, and labor well rewarded. We
were the subjects of mrth and sarcasm for British
tourists, newspapers, and quarterly journals; and
not only our manners but our national consequence
was made theme Of ridicule. We were much
better known in Europe for the reputation Of the
Pennsy vania debt than for our universal extension
Of the right of suffrage and the complete freedom
which we accord to all religions. We had abso-
iutely no military reputation; while our ability to
prosecute offensive war was considered equal to
our standing army. We had nine thousand regu-
lars, while each Of the Leading powers Of the Old
World had hundreds of thousands. Among even
into ind
people engaged in very doubtful political ex-
pertinent; rich in lands rather than in money, pos
sesslng the restlessness and energy of youth, but
uniformed in manners and immature in every re-
spect.
The news of the battle Of Buena Vista fell upon
the courts Of Europe like thunder clap from q
sloudess sky. 1t was the theme of establishment
and military criticism in every capital Of the Old
World. But one battle was not sufficient to csab.
lish our military reputation among nations accus-
toned to war. II was reserved for WINFIELD ScoTT
to dispel the prejudice of foreigners, and place our
ever occupy: head and shoulders above any on the
globe in the power to prosecute, short notice, and
without standing army, vast and destructive
system Of scientific warfare. We may search the
annals of nations for parallel to ScorTs Mexican
Campaign, but our search is ffuitless. There ia
nothing in the fables Of Greece or Rome, nothing
in the stupendous conquess of the Tartars nothing
IN the history of France or England, that will at all
compare with it in audacty of undertaking, genius
Of conception, or briancy of execution.
10 conquer people numbering ten millions,
dwellers of q country traversed by vast mountain
ranges, and ridged by almost impregnable natural
defences--a people descended from race of war.
riors, and proud of their ancestors, WINFIELD ScorT
landed upon the sandy beach Of Vera Cruz with
only fifteen thousand men. The Mexicans, secure
in their fortress, looked down from the frowning
battements of Uloa, and proudly refused to capitu
late Anv 0fher ma wonld hav cd m da.
spair, relinquished the enterprise, and returned
home III disgrace; but the great heart and mighty
intellect Of ScoTT surmounted every obstacle, nd
in the incredibly short space Of five days the stars
and stripes waved pi oudly over the fortress Of San
Juan d'Ulloa.
The news of the fall of this castle filled the court.
Of Europe with doubt and establishment; and, a
few weeks afterwards, when the result of the battle
of Cerro Gordo was announced, their surprise was
only equaed by their CONSERVATION. From tina,
day the United States may date her present exalted
reputation; from that day our name has been re-
spected and feared by ali the despots of Europe
from that day General WINFIELD ScoTr has been
known throughout the world as "the Great Captain
Of the age" The remainder of the campaign was
a series Of triumphs. Everything yielded to the
prowess Of our troops, guided by the genius o.
Scorr; and ere the chilly blasts of autumn SWEEP
over the high table lands, the heavy tread Of the
victorious American legions resounded through the
streets of the city Of Montezuma. Since then we
have been known as the "Great Republic )" Amer
lean vaor has been considered invncible and the
word impossible" has been expunged from oul
national vocabulary.
But our country owes another debt 10 the Grea
Captain. The imbecile Administration which en-.
gagged this country in the Mexican war, called upon
Gen. Scorr in the hour Of need but no sooner had
he Frustrated the enemy, than it determined to rot
him Of his hard-earned laurels. systematic serie,
Of annoyances and petty ndignities were Offered
him whenever an opportunity presented itself, in
order to drive him into the commission of some
rash act which would lower him in the estimation
OF his admring countrymen. Failing in this wicked
artifce, order issued for his arrest and The
spectacle was presented to the world of victorious
General being taken prisoner in the country he had
conquered, and sent home to be tried by cour
martial composed of lawyers. Although Genera
ScoTr had been offered the Presidency Of Mexico
with unlimited powers; although he could have re-
tanned the services Of the great body of his troops
and bid defiance to the world; although he resented
the indigniiies to which he had been subjected, he
loved his country well that he chose rather to b.
one of her private citizens than Dictator of the Re-
public Of Mexico. In the annals of the world W.