The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-09-01
A Radicals Opinion of the Mexi-
cNn War.
Harper's Magazine for August contains
notice of General SCOTS death. Among
I'll -, .I;,,.ua .l,o od;f0r save.


q notice of General Scots death. Among
other things the editor says:
soott's political career. therefore, was altogether
unfortunate. He had neither the proper percep-
ton. nor temper nor manners for political success.
lie had tho Luck of raising tho laugh against
himself. But happily the ridicue was felt to bo
superficial, and could not affect his true position.
Indeed there was n time when even his political
attitude was full of dignity. This was when
President Polk intrigued against Scott during tho
Mexican war, because of Sootts probable success
and his consequent dangerous importance ms n
Presidential candidnte. 1t was poorNusiness for
President, but fully harmonious with the purpose
of tho war--a war totally without honor to this
country except in tho conduct of soldiers and
the skill with which they were directed. IL any
American Is inclined to ask eontemptuouply why
Europe should go 10 war at this time, and proceed
TO draw u moral against monarehios, let him re-
member tho purpose aud tho protext Of tho Mexi-
can war, and learn that even Republics aro falli-
BILE.
We agree with the author Of the above
in the declaration that it is poor business
for President to intrigue against man
because of "his probable success" as n
General, "and his consequent dangerous
importance as u Presidential candidate" "
The Harper man AYERS that Mr.. Polk
did this; but he gives no proof to sub
stantiate his assertion If Mr.. Polk did
do as charged, he deserves condemnation,
in so far as this particular conduct is con-
cerned. But has this blatant champion
of negropholism no censure for Abraham
Lincoln for being guilty of Il like mis-.
ldeneanor? When General Mcclellan
left Washington to take Richmond he was
promised all the men aud munitions oil
war he might need but long ere he
reached the Pamunky this promise was
broken, not only by Withholding reinforce
mcnts, but by taking some of his men
from him and sending them to other
points Had Mcclellan, when thunder.
Ii ing at the very gates of Richmond, been
reinforced by Mcdowell, instead Of the
seven days bloody fight around Richmond
aud the subsequent dcbarkatiou of the
federal troops, Richmond would have
been taken, the war ended, thousands oi
lives preserved, much suffering prevented
and billions of money saved. But Lin.
coin saw that if Mcclellan should take
/ Richmond, and wind up the war, he
would be of dangerous importance as Il
| Presidential candidate - so he deliberate.
| ly planned to prevent a contamination oi
this character. And when, subsequent
Ily, General Mcclellan was candidate
against Lincoln, for the Presidency, every
means, both fair and foul, was employed
| by this embodiment Of honesty and puri.
" to defeat his dreaded rival. Yet this
Harper man, and hundreds of his class
/ instead of condemning such conduct, are
| loud in their praises Of the 'martyrcd
/ President" and even to this day have
not ceased bounding General Mcclellan
| Again: Everybody knows that he
who would not favor the late civil war
was branded as traitor to his country
This Harper editor was absolutely jubi.
liant at the scenes Of misery, and blood
and rapine which the prosecution Of the
civil war opened up to his enraptured Vi
sion. He had no compunctions Of con.
science-no regrets--no misgiyings when
he saw section arrayed against section and
brother imbruing his hand in brother's
blood. All this was eminently proper
and praiseworthy, in his estimation. But
it is different when the Mexican War il
the question on the tapis. That, in his
view, was "God-abhorred war"-a ''war
totally without honor to this country"
although large extent of territory was
justly added TO our national domain by it,
and our national honor was most nobIy
vindicated.