Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-10-06
SDeech of Judge Conrad,
Al the Harrisburg (Pa.) Mass Convention.

am proud of my native State for many
things-for her patriotism and power, TO
her glorious past, her mighty future-bu
for nothing more than for her honest graft
tude to our national benefactors, from
Washington down 10 Scott; and it is witt
no ordinary exultation, therefore, that
greet and congratulate you on this proc
that the sons of the Keystone are as ready
to reward great deeds as to achieve
them; and that, ift the bosom of her hill
has iron for our country's foes, their brows
are rich in laurels for her champions.
Before ascended this stand, respecta
bic citizen said to me, "If you address us
forget that you are Wing and tell us, al
party considerations aside, aehy you ask u
to vote for Gen. Scott Forget thai l an
a Wing! When can forget that Frank
lin and Jefferson, Washington and Clay
were Wings; when can forget that it is
distinction baptizedln the pure blood of tht
Revolution, and hallowed by the geniu:
and patriotism Of our country's nobes
spirits when can forget that its princi
pies are the vital air which liberty breathes
and that its policy is the palladium Of the
union and glory of my country when my
reason forgets its inmost convictions ant
my heart its ho';est duties; when in short
my right hand forgets its cunning-then, in
that starless midnight of the mind, | may
forget that l am Whig; but till then, nev.
er. 1t is the political faith of truth and
rghta faith glorious alike in victory or de.
feat, in good report or evil report. | have
given it my youth and manhood, my health
! hope, and fortune; and, having thus long
lived in it and for it, will, if Providence
vouchsafes me an unclouded reason, die by
if.
But am also Democrat, for Demo
cratic Wing is the best of Democrats; and,
respecting the sincerity of the masses that
constitute the party to which am oppos-
ed, I willingly comply with the request to
state achy | ask your votes for Gen. Scott.
For do ask them, earnestly ask them, be-
lievihg that your dearest rights and inter-
ests arc involved in your action. will
speak frankly and plainly, and trust that
you will hear me without prejudice, and
decide, not for faction, but for the right, for
public justice, and public gratitude. =
Why should we vote for Gen. Scott'
| will answer.
Some forty-fve years since youthful
student sat in the Office of a sage Of the
Old Dominion B. Watkins Leigh, and pom
dered Oh the condition Of his country and
the duty that he owed her. The times
were out of joint. The nations seemed
loosened from their moorings, and were
driven and clashing on the waves of an al
most universal war; like icebergs in po-
lar tempest. Our own bright land did not
escape the storm. Her flag had been out
ragged on every sea her sons dragged into
slavery, and even forced to raise paraci-
dal arm against their country. War was
inevitable, and at fearful odds; war net
only for honor and freedom, but for exist
ence itself. Was it we'll that he, that gift
ed student, every pulse Of whose heart beat
for his country, should nurse his schemes
OF tranquil ambition, when such peril and
such a duty invoked him' No. and his
high brow glowed, and his quick eye fash
ed as he vowed himself, for life or death,
to the cause of his country. BY that re-
solve was Winfield Scott-every faculty of
his high nature, every drop of his noble
heart-dedi to the duties of patriot
ism. Never was purer offering laid upor.
holier altar and for that, that noble re-
solve and its nobler ful6ment, do now
claim your admiration and gratitude.
The gathering clouds soon burst upon our
country. She struggled but her heart SEEM
ed for time faint, and her arm nerveless.
One patriot there was who determined that
The gulf of shame, like that of Curtius,
should be closed, though it entombed him ;
and he offered himself sacrifice. In the
desperate struggle on the heights ofQueens-
town, death itself seemed to shrink from
his daring. "You are the target of every
rifle, cover your uniform with this coat, "
said Kearny to Scott. "Neverp p' was the
reply 81 will die in my robes | deriv c
this fact from General Kearny himself
Surrounded by an overwhelming force,
Scott thus addressed his men. Can Greek
or Roman story afford PARALLEL "Huips
ignominious surrender" he said, "must be
retrieved. Let us, then, die arms in hand.
Our country demands the sacrifice. The
example will not be .ost. The blood of the
slain will make heroes of the living. Who
is ready for the saclifce?' Hul's surren-
der was :etrieved-their gallantry did wipe
out that stain, the first and last of our coun-
try; but Scott became the prisoner of the
foe; and, amid the periIs and privatons Of
such a captivity, surrounded by British ty-
rants and Indian assassins, he filled the first
measure OF his sacrifices for his county,
For this, l ask your votes for the patriot,
and inquire, in his own words at Queens
town, care you ready"
Again Scott was free; again at the head
of gallant band of freemen; and again be-
fore a superior force of the enemy; for his
have been no holyday achievements eve
ry laurel leaf upon his brow has cost a
death struggle. Lundys Lane is one of
the best-tought battles in history. The sun
went down upon the conflict, and the night
wore on--the harvest moon struggling
through the clopded heavens, and ftfully
lighting up the field where death was the
only reaper; and yet volley answered vol
ley, deafening Niagara, and the clash of
bayonets, and the shrieks and shouts Of the
combatants, still made night hldeous. Scott
was the very spirit of the batlle-storm.-
His tall form was seen, crimson with blood,
in every desperate eddy of the fight, and
his clarion voice was heard above the Wild
est din of the conflict. He throttled victo-
ry, and conquered against fate. And when,
covered with wounds supposed to be NOR
tai, he fell, his last words were orders to
charge, and his last effort murmunng
shout of victory. For this, 1 ask your
votes. Let the people give but one suf-
frage for each red drop that then gushed