The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-10-18


to. night at the club-room. Horatio Seymour and
others spoke. There was great enthusiasm, with
bonfires, and torchlight procession.
From the Nep York Express.
The Mexican Oner to General Scott
General ScoTT's Sandusky speech, wherein he
recited the magnificent offer made to him when in
Mexico, to put himself at the head of that poyern
ment, and to abandon service in his own, excites
the especial admiration of such journal as the
Courier des Eats Unis, (the French organ here)
whereas the declaration of such tempting Of
fer ia met by the Democratic press only with a
eneer. The French journal remarks that General
Scott touches that episode of his life with simplicity
and in the best OF taste and upon his disinterest-
edness incontestible patriotism, and sincere
publicanism, it pronounces a fitting eulogium. II
ranks him with the mighty men of the old Roman
world; and asks what other general would have
made such sacrifice of gold and such perspec-
ton of sovereignty in order to remain faithful to
conscience and duty.
The French journalists, altogether accustomed
in French history to such resignation, naturally
enough are inspired with admiration; but we Anne.
ricans expected 1t Of General Scott, we had had
like self-sacrifces from General Washington. It
ia not wonderful to US that the sacrifice should
have been made, for We naturally expect such sa-
crifce from the men whom we trust at the head Of
our armies. They have been trained in q school
that teaches them their whole duty to their coun.
try; and General Scott felt that though he might
have made himself prncely rich, and sovereign,
in fact if he had accepted the Mexican offer, vet
at home, and in the eyes of Heaven, he would have
been looked upon as a deserter. He had an un.
doubted legal right to resign his place of Major
General in the United States army, the war being
over, and to accept the Mexican offer, but his con-
science would not permit him to exercise such a
right, and be therefore resisted and resigned the
temptation.
self sacrifice, the topic for sneer, as many OPP
posing presses are doing, indicates their utter in
ability to comprehend either the pure patriotism
of General Scott or else their impression that he
w n blOckbead for ifcip off IN,
order to remain true and loyal to his country.
Perhaps they think every public man is fool
who does not sell his native land for pelf
When General Scott had this great Mexican
offer it should be remembered that s'the fire in the
rear" had begun upon him from Washington; that
he had been deprived of the command of the army,
his soldiers urging him to hold on, and that ne
was under arrest and court martialed The great
commander, who had rivalled the victories and
glories Of Cortez, received a reward a court
martial from the Government he had been serving!
Notwithstanding all this injury and insult, Gen
erai Scott loved his country, remained loyal to it,
and refused to be bought off from it, when he had
a right to resign his Office, and to sell his services
to more approaching people.
kind which would have resulted if General Scott
had accepted the Mexican offer it is impossible to
foresee. The great body of the American army in
Mexico following the fortunes of General Scott,
and settling there, the emigration from the United
States would soon have been immense, and the
country would have been virtually ours. General
Scott would have been doing on great scale what
General Houston had done on a comparatively
small scale in Texas.
From the Ne,o Orleans Campaign Republic, Oct. q
Wing COmmOtion In Biloxi.
The Wings of Biloxi and the neghborhood as
scmbed on Saturday night, the 25th ultimo. and
organized the "S Scott Rangers of Biloxi" by
unanimously electing John b. Pradat as president.
James Jewell as vice president, C. Brunei as
secretary, and Thomas N. Clark as treasurer.
After which the following address delivered
by the president, amid long. continued applause
and reclamation:
Fellow. CITIZENS AND FELLOW WHO'S: The oc-
cason which devolves on me the duty of address
ing you this evening" the subjects to be discussed
and the important post to which your kindness
alone has seen fit to elevate me, have inspired me
with strong apprehensions of my inability to dis
charge the undertaking to your satisfaction. Yet,
relying as l do upon your generous indulgence.
cannot but entertain hope that may present
to your consideration some reflections not alto
gether unacceptable.
We are assembled, fellow-citizens, to organize
the Scott Rangers Of Biloxi, which, cooperating
with similar associations throughout the Confede-
racy, cannot fail to arouse the dormant energies
new impulse in their hearts, and open to their
gaze the glory they inherit American citizens.
Go on, then, and consecrate your labors to the
most effective means of giving a new and uner.
them understand that the result Of the ap.
preaching election is full of interest to them
as slaveholding community, and that the sue
for the preservation of their rights and the in
tegrity Of the Union. 1t ia unnecessary for me
to enlarge upon the exalted patriotism, wisdom,
and public services Of General Scott. His military
renown has secured him the universally acknow-
lodged title of the "Great Captain of the Age;'
and his numerous civil empoyments, while on
military duty, have borne ample testimony of his
soa S eva for b tine % Tss7
thing were wanting to prove his fitness for the
Presidency, would refer you to the deliberate
opinion Of that stern but just judge, to whose
the most profound generation. To have known
him, to have listened to the prodigious efforts of
his great mind, to have heard the profound max
inns of wisdom which, on all occasions and upon
all subjects fell from his lips with power and
simplicity that went directly to the heart, could
not fail to produce conviction of his moral and
mental superiority. But he lie gone to his rest
and that tongue which seemed to be touched in
his last moments with living fire from the cal
tar on high" will never again hold breath
less audience entranced with its captivating
sounds; yet memory of his virtues and his elo-
quence, while it hallows the spot where he lies,
will reflect an abiding lustre upon the lofty cha
racter and exalted fame of Winfield Scott. His
son bears testimony to his fathers dying words,
which immortalize the talents and patriotism OF
our great leader, and claim for him the SURFACES
of every high hearted American. II any thing can
enhance the pleasure derived from the knowledge
Of Mr. Clays sentiments in regard to General Scott
II 10 VIC iaet u'at NC ocpioIeo tue possiulLty VI
Pierces election. He knew the Democratic candi-
date we'll, had served with him long time in Con-
gress. and could not but trembe for the peace and
prosperity of the country, if by any combination
of circumstances he should be elected to the Presi-
dency. Without pretending to set forth his appre-
tensions in the terms employed by the great states
man, may be permitted to give their import as
briefly as possible. "Amidst the rage of contend.
ing parties, men Of moderation said he, '.should
unite to obviae the rancor Of unjust personal abuse
The liberal man, though he bewail our political
factions and lament the precarous state of our
| national integrity, yet he will hardly brand his
opponents villains, whose opinions and policy
| Gin his judgment) may have contributed to this
| state of things He will cbaritably ascribe to
error what is not of necessity referable to vice,
and will place their principles and actions to the
account Of ignorance or imbeclity, or perhaps to
| both. Though the iberality of the people may be
extended to inrmty Of judgment, their justice and
vigilance will not tamely submit to q wanton ag-
gression upon their rights Such aggression have
reason to believe would be committed by an adj
ministration under the control of Mr.. Pierce, and
all the horrors of civil war, if not servile war,
Eli