Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-12-19
Return of Gen. Scott.

hGt0E8 "a
The las. steamer from The Pacific brought back
10 bis homo in Nsw York. the venerable Com
msederin Chief Of the Army Of the United States.
Eeutepant0 General WINFIELD Scorr.
Gen. Scott was sent BY the Government to the
disputed island Of San Juan, on the Pacific coast,
! for the purpose Of negotiating n settlement oil Tho
difficulties between Great Britain and this eenn-
try. relative to the right ownership oil the Island
in question. The San Francisco papers state that
the settlement is virtually effected and that Great
Britain will surrender the claim II which Toner
al Scott has shown that she has not a shadow OF
right.
This is no. the FIRST. nor the second time, that
this great military chiefain has shown hs eapac-
iv for tho management md negotiation OF civil
difficulties. and Of matters foreign to the strict limo
of his profession. GA several previous occasions
Gen. Scott has shown equal wisdom and sas,.eiiy
as well in the affairs of peace as tho concerns of
war. He combines, in truth, in his ewn person,
oil the creates, qualities Of both warrior aud civil
ian. If need be, he will fight. and fight With con-
summate skill and bravery. But if hostllliies
can be prevented by peaceful negotia'ion,s Gen.
Scott exhibits at once wisdom aud humanity in
the management and adjustment Of the questions
in dispute.
The world seldom produces such a combination
Of qualities in the same man. No history, an
cient or modern, furnishes n parallel instance oil
one 30 wise in council and so resolute in action.
When the difficulty with Great Britain occurred.
in regard to this San Juan affair, tho President
instinctively turned TO Gen. ScoTT, as the man
above all others to undertake its negotiation.
More than seventy yoars had passed over the
head Of tho venerable warrior. More than fifty
wears Of active service in the field, and elsewhere,
had given him the right Of exemption from further
labor or responsibility. But he was as ready to
undertake the service an he would be this day to
take command Of the Army in person. old as he
is, il necessity required. For thousands Of miles,
through the Southern seas, and over the unhealthy
lsthmus, and along tho distant Northwestern
coast. Scot; pursued his way in fulfllmcnt If his
mission-and having accomplished it, he returns
to hs acme in New York with another brigl,tleaf
added to the chaples that already decks his ,ener.
able head.
Such dis,in ,uishcl services TO his country, in
war and peace. and extending through more than
half 4 century Of time, entitle ScoTT to all the
honors in tho gift of the American people. No
one noed DO told what dignities and decorations
would be crowded upon a man Of the samo cha
racter and services by any nation Of Europe. The
nature Of our institutions forbids us from confer
ring estates, and titles OF nobility, upon thc great
warrior. But we eau do this thing: We can
crown the close Of Scorr's %cventful and patriotic
life by bestowing upon him tho highest honor Of
the nation-tho Presidency Of the people he loved
80 we'll and served 50 long and faithfully. This is
what We can do-anl it should be done-not by
any one party, but by the unanimous voice of the
American people. BY common consent, Nil par.
ties. Wings, Democrats, Republicans, all sorts,
might drop their distinctive applications. aud rally
as one man to cheer the few remaining years of
the old hcro's life by his elevation to the highest
dignity Of the Republic.
ScorT is too old to be n partisan. even il he
were not too much Of n patriot. As President, no
party could claim his election, and the into
rests Of no party would influence his action. lie
would DO tho representative man Of that which
seems to DO rapidly faiing ont of our rcmem.
brahce-tho n .t~ionality Of the American people.
lie would have no motive Of ambition but to servo
faithfully, US he has always done, tho people of
his whole country to repress and put down sec.
tional ~wrangles and disputes to restore harmony
and fellowship to n people having a common polt.
ical destiny and to rcunitc. in tho few years Of
life yet left him, tho whole nation in the bonds of
%fratern.l fellowship. This VIC believe Scorr might
do, as no other man could. There is n path of
escape for us yet, and it remains for tho people to
say whether or not it shall be pursued.
The Harper's Ferry Affair.