Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-10-06
From the Columbus, Ohio, Journal, Sept. 23.
A Vile SANDER Repealed.
Brilliant Speech Of Gen. Scott to the GermaN

behalf OF some OF our German citizens referred 10
paragraph from the Westbote, a German paper
published In this city. and containing the state
ment that General Scott tied to one tree and ting
ged fifteen Germans, while in Mexico. ptier
charges, of his having hanged others, cruelty and
uajustly, were also relerfed to. Never have we
witnessed a scene mo,c imposing than when tlte
cid chieltan with quick and ihdlgnent response,
fepelled the false and malignant charge. Lofty III
stature and standing at least four inches above the
tallest of those among whom he stood, his form
seaped gigantic, as with heightened color aud
flushing eve, and wave Of his hand that express
ed calm defiance of all such aSsaiantS, he utter
ed his emphatic protest against such assaults as
that paragraph represented;
'New, aud before unknown to me- are such
things as have now been told me. They surprise
and they pain zoe. They at once concern all that
| value personally, and aim blow at all that.
wherein. it | know myself, have the highest
pride. They attack my own identity The priT-
cipes for which, had believed, | need never
search my own boSomin yain,are here underlnln-
ed OF denied me! am met with charges OF luGus-
lice and cruelty-whe leading an American Ar
nv through Mexico. and while participating alike
in its trials and its triumphs!
"Gentemen. it was my lot to lead an American
army upon foreign field. | went. resolved TO
sustain, in the forefront Of my progress, the high
tjde-w&ter-marb of our own American Civilization,
IN all its moral and civil virtue The standard OF
our oUa and moi the practices of that foreign
try. was the standard which sought for the gov
ere nent of mems passions and the control of the IL
cease and excess of war. Alike to Americans,
whether native or foreign birth, and to MeXjcaus,
declared my purpose, and exhibited my prlncl-
pllS OF action.
II promulged the martial code. Doubtless YOU
all have read it. I deemed it accessory. | could
do nothing without it. 1t announced the spirit Of
our progress and held amenable to punishment all
who forgot manhood and threatened to bring shame
upon our iag-dShOnor to our armS-Ora reproach
upon our virtue Without it, we had not conquer
ed or if we had conquered the brightest trophy of
our conquest had been wanting. 1t would have
been physical triumph, and physical triumph
alone. Humanity would have dsowned us. |
promulged that order. Read it, and read it again,
gentlemen, and then bear me witness, that it was
in nsy 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 ene-
my's country. all the elements of social order, and
that regard for personal right that belonged to our
own free institutions in the United States.
''YeS. sought TO carry with me, and resolved
60 maintain at all hazards, among my own COM
De tirOwn that high standard OF virtue and honor,
which we boasted "at homc," Had | not been less
than al American, and recreant to the highest in
terests of humanity, and the age rejoice in. i'll
had done less -? They say hanged some Ger
n,GRs, and tied up and flogged others. Gentlemen,
some persons we're hanged in Mexico. The names
of all Of them do not now recollect. Whether
any were Germans or not, know not. But for
,chat-yes, for what were they hanged? | hang
cd one for murder, gentlemen | hanged one for
rape upon an innocent young female, and for pro-
iane and wicked Church robbery. All kne,r the
talc that was over them. Every man of them
kuew he would be held as answerable Tor vile mis-
deeds against the laws of God and man, rs if he
were then upon American soil
"For sch crimes they sg6ered-f such crimes
rs here, in your own Ohio-a land of aw-would
have brought down upon them severe penalties,
and with equal Justice Some did suffer death -
But their trial was fair, impartial and upon the
same principles of solid law upon which they
would have been adjudged guilty, here, among
you. Do some say hanged fifteen Germans, and
that Others were arraigned and fiOgged without
cause or trial. Gentlemen, know nothing of it.
1t is false-it is tie-an invention, gentlemen-
a LIE. see aged citizens before me. see emf
nent LAWYERS here. And, gentlemen, yon see me
much ercited. But is it not for cause2 For one,
,cho for forty gears has scarcely ere 1caked rose,
slept or eaten. OF ereR taken cup Of cold lcGle,
IN the field, the tolcR, or the camp, bit that his
Thoughts lcere of his coiulti1-her UirtiteS-her re-
no,ca-her honor; to be thus Gssaiied-it is mon
strouS-it is iRiOle1uJle! Gentlemen, did, with
high hand, sustain the law which, with upright
ness in my heart, determined to sustain. did
hang for murder! | did hang for rape, | did
hang for treason! and fogged thieves and pick
pOcketS For, gentlemen, let me again say, not
only carried with me, but | resolved, with every
resource could command, to sustain, tealleSsly
and effecually, in its virtue and its choicest bleS
sings mot only to my own command but to defence
less and peaceable MeXicanS, that civilization
YES, that Christian civilization of which | was
proud to believe that army might appear worthy
representative.
But, gentlemen, was no resPector Of persons.
American OF MeXcan-native born or foreign born
whoever knew the law and obeyed il not-whoev-
err reckless of his own responsibilities, and the
rights of others, trampled under foot and set at
naupht the law that was over all, punished.
did hang for the crimes stated, and | would have
HUNG an hundred seekers of innocent blood and VI
OlatOrs OF female chastity, if SO many had been the
Olleuders And for this, perverted and mSshap-
ed. | am made answerable to charge against
which my every feeling reyols, and which my
whole nature and my whole life repel. No, gen.
tcmen, it is lie. (the charge as made, or that a
ny were wrongfuly punished ia false and ground
less lie. am not unthanktul to my good friend
who has told me of these things. 1t was right
But, gentlemen, I stand here, before you, and de-
clare as have already declared and again declare,
that the principles that governed my command in
Mexico are those of my life. To that life in my
country's service. need not appeal in vain for an
answer now With natural freedom and conf
dence DO throw myself upon the honest verdict of
very man, who, with me, served his country in
the fields Of Mexico"
WHIG ExrRAyAGANcE.=The Iocofocos arc