The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-25
N.WASHINGTON, SATURDAY. MORNING. SEPTEMBER Is. 1852


ltca system. the Judgment OF our fellow -ciuzens mus
soon decide YET in coming 10 a judgment 30 pregnant
Win tue late OF IIeedos bat remind you that
the past slrewn and saddened with the sepulchres Of
republics which military chietains have wronged aud de-
stfoyed Wo 10 the people who believe that victory in
oales constitutes the only claim 10 the highest station
among We When that belief shall peryade the public
m anu exert us baneu influence upon the appetite
Tor Dfoiis and battles will become unappeasable. The
wisdom OF our ancestors the science OF government the
sducason OF statesmen, and the gentle ars OF peace
~ ae. "nch sustain and elevate republics. will be
priced no more. All restless and aspiring spirits who
give impulse and inclination 10 others will resort 10 the
army ana make public the instruments OF ambition
we appeal 10 history that IL is wholly and thor
oaghy impossible 10 preserve the liberties OF country
when morbid passion Tor military cheftans shall SUI
efsede The virtue and services of enlightened
ot 10 unfo the pages oil history further back look
al me socaled republic Of Mexico. where the govern
ment y cursed by and brutal succession OF mill
taty chielains who constantly depose each other make
merchandlse OF power, and insult the people with a
mockely OF freedom This hornd spectacle and warning
example IN neghboring country should suffice 10 re-
mina US o. tbe FOLLY and imprudence OF imparng this
military influence TO the national councils.
In our notice OF Major General Winfield Scott, who
comes from lhea army into the political the cham
pon q ms party and the enemy OF ours hope 10 be
candid and explicit We are ready 20 recognise what.
ever merit he possesses and regret the necessity for cr
cslng his preensions TO the presidential office But
fasldioos scraples shall restrain from the ireest
preston OF our opinions about him We will firmly
deavor to perform duty The whole country is con
cerned IN a proper administration oil the government
and therefore not only the right, but the duty OF
every good citizen TO examine the petensons OF every
asprant TO the presidency. and oppose election Of
avery inc xpesienced and incompetent person. In doing
80, we trust that The same sense OF religion and pa
rolc scrupes which saved the life OF General Jackson
from the vengeance OF General Scott will be mecifuliy
extended towards also. AT all events, shall probe
TO the bottom the Generals preiensons TO the presidency
and II our searching instruments shall torture the quick,
VIII be condign necessary suffering oil his own pro-
curing.
AS hero who fought the battles of his country with
unfa nh ala q M.
era and are willing to estimate his services proper
light Nothing can be more unjust, ungrateiul, and
true than for The aders and supporters OF General Scott
to deny the liberaty OF the democrats towards him.
Epauets Were placed upon his shoulders, and henors
and emoluments have been piled upon him, by the gem
erous hand OF democratic power. Democrats voted him
gratitude among the number OF his virtues, he would
evnce proper recollection OF this generous conduct
But in return for such solid and enduring avors he has
ceased to reve and depecae the democratic party
whenever the phantom OF political ambition haunted his
bewlldered mind Far better for his honor and lame had
he stood in the centre OF his country to receive the good
wishes and respect of all. This he will be certain to
perceive and feel with than the usual regret which
attends the reflections OF defeated ambition; Tor his de-
feat will be fairly ascrbed TO the reveamen of foies,
weaknesses and Inconsistencies which but few took the
trouble to understand which desired to expose, and
which he had It IN his power to conceal forever from
the public view
form hasy and inaccurate notions OF renown, and often
commit disastrous bunders in their efforts to climb the
precipice OF power.
General Scott has served in The army for nearly half
century, and has become old, peuan, and irascible in
the constant exercise oil military power Accustomed to
command, reluctant to obey he scarcely recognises the
authority OF superior to control him. He has served in
no staton-he has studied pursuit that could qualify
him for the weghty and arduous duties OF the presi.
DENTAL office Noted for ,esy and complaining temper,
as his frequent and unlncky qnarrels with the govern
ment and his brother officers attest vain, naughty and
conceited beyond his sene age and prone 10 scrbbe
and to behle himself by every letter That he writes the
avS hot nth Of
government may be safely predicted II armed with the
powers oil government, his whms and caprces, his
friendships and ennities would constitute the motives
to regulate his conduct crowd OF fatterers and
pectants oil ofce would surround him. hewoud listen to
eternal audations of HIMSELF and they would fail
to extol his arogaied greatness add superiority He
would regard himself the centre oil power and light
the iouDtain from whence all honors flow; and all who
crossed his humors acted against his will, might
pect ms resentment and certainly receive IT. We should
have no Marcy in the War Office expose his conduct
SIC poto, ube0 would be the order then and depe,o
cest homo would be the ready and obsequous response
An audience (by no means easy 10 obtain even now
would never be allowed except 10 his loyal and devoed
irends Style, grandeur, and etiquette, beyond what
even royalty prescrbes, would rgidy prevail
Those who suppose that this outline is hasiy and
overcharged picture have studied the features OF
the original nor reflected how often the order OF optics
IS inverted. making emlnence lower the nearer APP
proach IL. Being under no optical leuson shall pro.
coed, hoping that what such poor Aner may presume
to paint will find indulgence in each generous breast
Ami Isl the idle vanity, the petulant temper, and
eRoueHi VI one sterling quality
TO adorn him. He disclosed his opinions with prompti-
tude and irankness But even that merit he can no
longer claim OF lac he whholds or dscoses his sent.
menls as selfish policy dictates. In reply to a letter adj
dressed TO him the 10th OF March. 1851 by brother
wing OF pennsylvania, asking his opinion upon sdbects
oil great value 10 The country, the General
my character and principles be not already known il
would be idle 10 attempt TO supply the deficient impress.
SION by mere paper professions OF wisdom and virtue
made for the occasion" How ample, satisfactory, and
respectful Yet IN the face OF this insult this naughty
he In ole
10 place him them, when he could neglect their rights
and insult their understanding his pleasure. The wrong
which turks IN that reproving is enough OF itself
10 exclude the General from the power which he
II he insults his fellow citizens the he is ask
ing power from their votes what may they not expect
hun 10 do after he gets the votes
Yet will not deprive the General OF every excuse for
this evaslve answer Perhaps he meant no rudeness
but only feared the rdcue which his writings habuay
provoke perhaps he smared still under the cruel tor
turing letters OF Secretary Marcy and resolved 10 expose
himself TO no more fires IN his rear; or like chielsins
whs have gone before him, he thinks perhaps that fight
ing qualities the fighter for whatever office he DESIRES
and gives him, without question, right and title en-.
JOY il.
But these charitable surnises will naver satisfy the
public. Nolers oil spirit aud rarely tolerate the con-
duct oil candidate who holds himself above the right OF
the people TO question and understand his political opn.
ions They know the designs OF studied reserve, OF
fu evasion, and lofty reference TO general character and
conduct In 1870 General Harrison asked express
his sentiments about national bank Instead OF direct
and frank response, he stated that corporations had
cheated him, and he had but little confidence in any OF
them. When asked II he woald remove from office hon
est and capable officers merely on account OF politics adj
verse 10 his own, he stated that he noleant