Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-06-16

Gen. Scott occupies no doubtful or equivo-
cal position on the Compromise. nor does be
desire to do SO and If hesdid would not
support him. even If nominated. His views
are freely expressed to every man who APP
proaches him, no matter to what party be
may belong He is accessible to every res
pectabe man in the country, who chooses to
approach him. and he has never hesitated to
say that be is ia favor of the Compromise
measures ia all their parts and opposed to
any disturbance, agitation or alteration Of the
Fagitive Slave Law; and be epjcins confi-
dence and secrecy on no man to whom he
makes this communication
Now, what more could we ask? Suppose
he was to write, would it satisfy any Of those
now opposed to him? venture to say not
one For they cannot now doubt his perfect
and entire soundncss on that question. He
has expressed himself to huDdre is of the FIRST
men in the country. and no man has yet been
found who has saId he ever held any other
language to any human being.
1t is an outrage upon decency. justice and
fair dealing, that any man should. at this day.
pretend TO question the nationality or patriot
ism Of Winfield Scott. did not expect him
to escape the animadyersicns misreprcscnta-
tions and abuse of the more inscriptions
portions Of the Democratic press. bu. do
think bis reputation Is entitled to the respect
and protection ofcvery true and honest Wing.
Under the circumstances mentioned. be
has come to the conclusion (and incline to
think wisely) that the true coursefor him to
pursue is to publish nothing unless he shall
be the nominee: when, if the Convention
shall adopt course that will make his accep-
lance necessary or otherwise afford him the
opportunity. he will speak out freely and full
ly--and this would place him, in my opinion,
in a more elevated positiou,tha if hc were to
permit himself now to be bullied into writing
to receive the romination.
His condition is indeed hard one lfhe
writes, it will be at the dictation of those who
are not bis friends. many Of whom desire an
opportunity Of going over to the other party,
(and God grant they may have it, and he
will thus be made to verify the predictions Of
ten and early made, that he would write him.
self to death: whereas, if be don't write. De
is to BIZ killed by the denunciation Of profess
sing friends for not writing Gen. Scott is
too old and too good soldier TO be frighten-
ed by bngbcars. or bullied By his enemies
4 +
If we know that our candidate is sound
what do we care for the abstract opinions OF
Mr.. Seward and his associates upon the gen.
eral principles Of the Compromise? Ifthe
law was not already on the statute book, there
might be some show ofreason and good sense
in requiring tue North to yield their idiosyn.
crasies before we wou!dco operate with them ;
but when before was it known, that our par.
| ty, or any other party, objected TO Abolition
lists, Free Sellers, Native Americans, Demo.
Gratis or wings. helping them to elect tbei'
own candidates in Presidential or Other
election ? What party or candidate ever vel
complained that those Of another party would
help them success Ii Nlr. Clay were now
before the people, do not doubt. he could
get large Free Soil Abolition and Demo-
cratic vote, and would he or his friends com.
plain of it, or make it an objection to him
And why should VIC object to their support
Of Gen Scott, il he should be the nominee o.
the party For myself can say. (howcvcr
it may be with others) that when have beer
a candidate, ] was never so proud or so fool.
ISL as TO object to any god, vote Icould get
Thss absurd cry IN !be South against the Alb
ohtion vote for Scott, indicates want o
casdor that is without . parallel or it betrayi
a want Of reason that amounts to foolery. L
only serves to create prejudiccs, that we our.
selves may be called on in a few weeks to re
move when in the meantime. we have pu
! the weapon in the hands of our adversarie.
to be used against U.s. The truth is. I'll the
/ Democratic candidates. and all their friends
want the vote and because they can't get it
they unite in compl,iut against Scott be-
cause he can They know none of them car
be elected without it. These same gentle
man could do great deal to get it fer Mr.
Fillmore, and the Democrats would move the
''very stones of Rome to carry il for their
candidate. shocked as they profess to be that
! the Wings should trust any man for whom
they would vote. For my part. hope MIR
Fillmore, Gen. Scott, or Mr.. Webster, which
/ ever may be the candidate. may get every
Free Soil and Abolition vote in the country,
with smart sprinkling of the Democracy,
and should not appreliend that either Of
them would thereby become either Abolition
lists or Democrats. But so far from Mr..
Stewards leading ard managing this matter,
he is only following current Of public SEN
timent that be has not the power to resist,
and be is striving by this means to get back
into the Wing ranks.
by the way, let me ask who are the agita-
tors now? No matter which section presents
this question, the other must, and will oppose
it.; now suppose those in favor of the repeal
of The law, were to omit no opportunity when
Northern and Southern men we're collected
together to introduce resolutions declaring
the Fugitive Slave Law unconstitutional and
unsatisfactory and that it ought to be re-
pealed-would they not be denounced by the
South as agitators and distnrbcrs of the pub
lie peace And if. on every like occasion,
the South will persist in presenting resolu-
tions of an opposite character, do they not
themselves become the agtators and distur-
bcrs of public repose? As long as we have
the law and it is executed, we should be sat
sfied. What more should we ask What
more have We right to demand?
OF one thing feel perfectly assured, and
that il that we could have no safer man on