Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-05-16
Hlistellaneaus.
A Philadelphia Address to General
SaOtf

On Thursday last, the following letter
signed by about two hundred prominent
citizens of Philadelphia, was sent to the
Hero of Mexico and Lundy's Lane by
the hands of special messenger The
list Of signers, hastily obtained. could
readily have been increased to thousands
had the opportunity been afforded:
Philadelphia, April 30, 1861
To Lieutenant General Winfield Scott,
General-in- Chief Of the Army of the u
nited Statcs-Sir: The shock cf civil
war in our beloved country, whose his,
tory for more than half n century has
been illustrated, not less by your wisdom
and patriotism than by the splendor of
your achievements in arms, will, we
trust. justify this letter to you, even
though it be a departure from usage.
We are your felow-citize ms of the T.
nited States. We are deyotedly attach
ed to our country. Her renown is pre-
cious to US. 1t is our richest Inheritance
and we had fondly hoped to transmit it
to our children untarnishod, as it came
to us from our fathers.
In the civil strife which has just light
ed up our land with an unnatural and
deadly glare. we do not stop to inquire
into the soundncss of conflicting opin-
ions as 10 the origin of the deplorablc
controversy 1t is enough for us to
know what the beloved and glorious flag
of our Federal Union has been assaied
aud we ask no further questions. In
such crisis, we are for sustaining, to
any and every extent, the constituted
authorities of the Union, believing, in
the language Of Mr.. Jefferson, that the
preservation of the General Government
in its whole Constitutional vigor. is the
sheet-anchor of our peace at home and
safety abroad While the Government
stands by the flag, we stand by the Gov
ernment. In this determination we oh
literate, for the time being, all traces of
daty difference, by which many of us
have heretofore been widely separated
As citizens of Philadelphia, Il city
which we are sure must be endearea to
your recollection as it is to ours, by some
of the proudest members of the era of
Independcuce-wherc the Declaration
was signed where the Constitution was
signed, aud from whence the illustrious
founder issued to his conntreymen his
immortal Farewell Address-wc adopt
this mode of testfying our admiration
and Offering you our decpfelt thanks for
your great servics to your country in
this hour of her EXTREMIST peril-servi-
ces which will rival in Immortality and,
we trust, in their triumphant results,
your early and subsequent renown in the
second aud third great wars of the Uni
ted States.
At game like this, when Americans.
distinguished by the favor OF their coun
try, entrenched in power. and otherwise
high in influence and station, civil and
military, are renouncing their allegiance
to the flag they have sworn to support,
it is an inexpressble source of consola
ton and pride for us to know that the
General in. Chief of the army remains
like an impregnable fortress at the post
of duty and glory, and that he will con-
tinue to the last to uphold that flag, and
defend it, if necessary, with his sword,
even if his native state should assail it.
That your career of rare distinction
may be prolonged for many years of con-
tnual usefulness to your country, and
happiness to yourself, and that you may
live to see that great country once more
in the enjoyment of the prosperity and
renown among nations, to which Jour
wisdom in council and your sword in
battle have so largely contributed, is the
anxious, earnest hope of those who here
unite in rendering to you, not only the
assurances of their profound respect, but
what we believe you will value as high
ly, the spontaneous tribute of loyal A.
merican hearts.
We have the honor to remain, with
the highest consideration, dear sir, your
friends and felIow-c citizens.
ALEXANDER HENRY, Hon. BINHEY,
RICHARD VAu1, w. NJ. MEREDITH,
THEo. CuYLER, G. McALEsTER,
and others.