Daily American telegraph., 1852-09-25

Unto Scott, the good, the right
Ptays not in vain to find its goal
A DEMOCRAT.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept "a, 1852,
From the Philadelphia North American
General Pierce and the Gambling Charge.
Our opponents, disregarding all the rules of
propriety and truth, have opened most wanton
and Infamous warfare upon Gen. Scott.
When candidates are presented for popular
favor, and aspire to Offices in which personal
qualities become Of important consideration. in
connection with the dignity and responsibilities
of high trusts it s proper their past lives should
be scrutinized with care, and they should rather
seek than shun decorous criticism We have no
desire to go into any investigation of the private
habits, tastes, and associations Of General Pierce
and we are quite willing to believe that he is
respectable man, of moderate ability, of ordinary
standing in his profession, and very bitter parti-
zanship. Half the members of the Philadelphia
bar are better qualified for the Presidency pos
sess larger attainments, and would confound Gen.
Pierce before any impartial tribune where merit
and education were the standards Of appreciation.
1t is very well known, and therefore there is no
use of mincing phrases under morbid delicacy,
that the habits of Gen. Pierce while member of
Congress, and while a non-combatant general in
Mexico, were free and easy, and by no means in
character with the exceeding moral pretensions
which have been claimed by partial and psid
biographers. If those who associated in the two
capacities with him would speak out in public, rs
they have done in private, there would be less
misapprehension on this subject.
Yet, despite Of oil the apprehensions that
might deter others more timid, one witness has
appeared upon the stand, and he of Il sort that
the opposition will find it difficult to contradict
This witness has always been Democrat, as we
are informed. Whether, like thousands of others
Of that political school, he has now renounced
spurious Democracy, and is an advocate Of Gen.
Scotts election, we have no means of knowing.
He is the son of Louis McLane of MARYLAND and
the brother of Robert McLane, both of whom are
distinguished and able supporters of Gen. Pierce.
He is n gallant officer of the army, who is ac-
countable for all that he says Captain McLane,
in letter bearing date the 9th instant, stated,
under his own hand and responsibility, that ac-
cording to his impression" General Pierce was
slapped in the face at game of cards, on the
night preceding his departure from Mexico, and
that he did not then, or subsequently, resent the
insult as he was informed.
In other quarters ms we learn from the Bati-
more Argus, it has been represented that this af-
front was given in consequence of foul play de-
tected and exposed With this or any other ver-
sion of the charge we have no concern We
choose to deal only with what is authenticated
Wy NOW, WlLD HI IOleT-
alton for the usages of society, and with no pru-
derry whatever, we must be permitted to say that
imputatons and stories Of this kind imply, or in.
volve the idea of habits and tastes which consti-
tute no recommendation for the elevated Office Of
President of the United States In the opinion
of many they may be regarded as disqunlifyiDg
reasons. In matters of conscience MI men must
decide for themselves. Therefore we have no
suggestion to make. 1t will be remembered that
Colonel Magruder, now absent in California, was
referred to as the person alleged to have offered
this indignity to General Pierce at the gaming
table. And it is in reference to this particular
point that we desire to address ourselves briefly,
in addition to what was said on Tuesday last
Capt McLane's letter bears date the 10th in
staft On the 18th instant, letter, purporting
to be written by Col. Magruder, at San Diego, in
California, and dated on the 18th of August ap-
proving General Pierce's gallantry aud so forth,
was prominently paraded in the columns OF the
Washington Union. That letter was alleged to
have been addressed to Gen. Pierce, Snd was
published although having no reference what
ever TO the specific charge, to answer it by gen.
eral appearance Of improbabty. In common
with many others, we doubted the authenticity
of this document when it first appeared, and sub
sequent reflection has confirmed these impress
sions. The last steamer from California brought
San Francisco dates to the 18th Of August one
day later than the mooted letter of Col Magru-
der Now, it so happens that San Diego--where
this letter purports to be dated-is five or six
hundred miles below San Francisco, and the only
steamer which touches there monthly, is that of
the first! So that if the letter was sent up from
San Diego, to be mailed at San Francisco it must
have travelled these five or six hundred miles in
single day; for, it is. pretty well ascertained,
the steamer of the EtteeaM did not stop at San
Diego, and if she did the letter could not have
borne date the fourteenth Of August, being day |
before she sailei from San Francisco.
We will not, at the present time call the Ma
rruder letter fabrication but il looks more |
like it than any other letter which has re.
Gently fallen under our observation. Aud we |
have little doubt when the election is over and
sufficient time is allowed to hear from Col. Ma
gruder, that he will brand it with a stronger
cpithet. Our opponents will, in the meantime, |
endeayor to protect the credit of Gen. Pierce by
the use of a paper which does not apply to the
imputation of Capt. McLane, whether that paper
be genuine or spurious.
1t is more than mysterious how letter pro-
Tossing to be written at San Diego on the l4th of
August, could reach New York, travel to Concord,
then be sent to, Washington, and appear in the