Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-10-01
A Vile SANDER Repelled-Brilliant speech
ofGeneral Scott to the Germans.

OfGeneral scott TO the Germans.
Judge HE'LL waited upon General Scott and
on behalf Of some of our German citizens re-
ferred to paragraph from the Westbotc, Ger
man paper published in his city. and contain
ing the statement that General Scott tied to one
tree and fogged fifteen Germans, while IN
Mexico. Other charges, Of his having hanged
others, cruelty and unJustly, were also referred
to. Never have we witnessed scene more
imposing than when the old chieftain, with
quick and indignant response, repealed the false
and malignant charge. Lofty in stature, and
standing at least four inches above the talest
Of those among whom he stood, his form seem
ed gigantic as with heightened color and flash
ing eye, and a wave of his hand that expressed
q calm defiance of all such assailanls, he ut
tered his emphatic protest against such assaults
as that paragraph presented. Columbus Ohio
Journal
"New, and before unknown to me, arc such
things as have now been told me- They sur
PRISE and they pain me. They at once concern
all that value personally. and aim a blow at
all that, wherein, if know myself, | have the
highest pride. They attack my own identity
The principles had believed, | need never
search my own bosom in vain, are here under
mined or denied me! ain met with charges
of Injustice and cruelty--while leading an
American army through Mexico, and while par
ticipating alike IN its trials and It's trumphs
"Gentlemen it was my lot to lead an Ameri-
can army upon foreign field. went, resolv-
ed to sustain, in the forefront of my progress,
the Mgh-tide ,Uater mark Of our own american
Cip,lization, in all its moral and civil virtue
The standard of our own and not the practices
of that foreign country, was the standard which
! sought for the go eminent of mems passions
and the control of the license and excuses of
war. Alike to Americans, whether native or
of foreign BIRTH and to Mexicans, ! declared
my purpose and exhibited my principles Of &C
ton.
81 promulged the martial code. Doubtless
you all have read it. deemed it necessary
] 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 hag-dIs-
honor to our artns-or reproach upon our viz
tue Without it, we had not conquered or if
we had conquered, the brightest trophy of our
been a physical triumph alone. Humanity
would have dsowned US. pronuged that or
der. Read it, and read it again. gentlemen,
and then bear me witness, that it was in my
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 enc
my's country, all the elements Of social order,
and that regard for personal right that belong
ed to our own free institutions in the United
States.
"Yes, sought to carry with me, and resolved
to maintain, at all has.drds, command my own
command, and also that people among whom we
should be thrown, that high STANDARD OF virtue,
and homer, which We boosted at home. Had |
not been less than an American and recreant 10
the highest interests of humanity, and the age
We rejoice in. if had done less? They say
hanged some Germans, and tied up and logged
others. Geniencn some persons icere hanged
In Mexico. The names OF ali Of tucm do no;
now recollect. Whether any were Germans or
not, know not. But tor what-yes, for what
were they hanged? hanged one for murder.
gentlemen; hanged one for rape upon an III
nocent young female, and for proane and wich-
ed Church robbery. I'LL kne,0 tie iav that was
over them. Every man ofthem knew he would
be held as answerablc for vile misdeeds, against
the laws of God and man, as If he were then
upon American soil.
"For such crimes they suffered, for such crimes
rs here in your own Ohlu--a land of Law
would have brought down upon them severe
penalties, and with equat 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 ht'-
teen Germans, and that others were arralgned
and hogged without cause or trial. Gentlemen,
know nothing of it. 1t is tase--il is a lie
an Invention, gentlemen-a LIE. | see aged
citizens before me. see eminent lawyers here.
And, gentlemen you see me much erciteG But
is 1t not for cause? For one ,rho, for fifth gears
has scarcely ever lcaiked rose, slept or eaten, or
euen taken a cup Of cold ,catsr IN The .fe'd, the
toun or the camp, but that hi, honghts wsre Of
his eount'y-her virtue, her renoW I, her honor;
to be thus assailed,-it is MoNsTRoUs-n is IN
Gentlemen, | did, with high
hand, sustain the law. which, with uprghtness
IN my heart / diermirnd 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
fearle'sly, and eGectualls. in Its virtue and It's
choicest blessings, not only to my own com,
pland, but to deienceless and peaceabe Next
cans, that civlizaton--yes, that Chistian civil
lzaton of which | was proud to believe that
army might appear worthy representative.
but, gentlemen, | was no respecter of per-
sons--.7merican or .Nerican--aotire born or
foreign born-,phosoepcr knew Ike Law and obey-
ed II not-,oho,oeuer, reck less of his own res
and the rights of others, hampled
under foot and set al naugM the law that was
over all, PUNISHED. did hang for the crimes
stated, and would have hung hundred seek
ers of innocent blood, and vlolatcrs of female
chastity, if so many had been the offenders =
And for this, perverted and misshaprd, am
made answerable to charge against which my
every feeling revors, and which my whole ma
ture and my whole life repel. No, gertemun,
it is lie, 1.-THE charge as made, or that any
were wrongfully punished a false and GROUND
LESS lie. am not unthanktul to my good
Trend who has told me of these things. It was
right But, gentlemen, stand here before
you, and declare, as have already declared
md again declare, that the principles that GOV.
srned my command in Mexico, are those of my
life. To that hfe in my country's service, n. ed
not appeal in vain for an answer now. With