The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-06-08

Many letters from venerable men have
refreshed me and my esteemed friend
Mr.. Carnochan, of Rome, has sent me
kind message about my mistake in
putting the soup on Taylor, when in
reality it was Scott who remarked, In
an official communication to the Sec
retary of War, about drinking plate
of extremely hot soup. | find no.
thing in history about it. end hence
such things can only be established
from memory-the memories of our
Oldest people. am gratifed to learn
from these letters that come daily that
there are left so many good old men
with intelligent memories-men OF
four score years and Overland who,
like all old people, now live in the
past and love to recall the events that
happened fifty and sixty years ago.
Taylor and Scott were both Virgin
ians, and were very superior comman-
ders. Scott was ambitious and arbi-
trary. Taylor was modest, retiring,
and an upright and downright man,
and duty was his watchword. His
nomination for the presidency was
forced upon him and grieved his wife
greatly, for she said: "They seek to
rob me Of my husband and our chill
dren Of father" Her fears proved
more than true, for the cares and anx-
ieties Of political life caused his early
death, Notwithstanding he had cabi-
net Of great and good men to share his
burdens and relieve him of many re-
sponsibilities. Our own George w.
Crawford was Secretary of War under
him.
General Scott was not only ambi-
tious, but he was envious of Taylor
and sought to embarrass him in Mexi-
co by Withdrawing troops from his
command. At one time he reduced
Taylor force to 200 men. while he
was opposed to 1000 Of the enemy.
Taylor's subordinate officers advised
retreat, or falling back to Point Isabel
and there wait for reinforcements, but
Taylcr said, ssNo, Twill advance or die
in my shoes, and he did, and won
signal victory
Taere was politics in war then, just
as there is now, and my prediction is
that neither Fitzhug b Lee nor Wheel
er will be permitted to make fame
enough to endanger the Republican
party. War was politics in Burkes
day and-it is in ours.
Scott was a brave, exacting and ac-
complished officer, but was courtmar-
tiAled three times for political effect,
as was asserted by his friends. Hefell
short Of his ambition to be president
and his last words were, "James, take
good care of my horse. y
Parties have abundant reason to
fear the popular advance Of military
heroes. Six Of our presidents have
acquired Office through military chan
nels-Washington, Jackson, Harri-
son, Taylor, Pierce and Grant.
It is astonishing how suddenly aud
rapidly an unknown man can advance
to the highest pinnacle through the
fortunes of war, whether they be acci-
GENITAL or meritorious. Here before
me are sixteen large volumes Of APP
pleton's Cyclopedia, published in
1861, and the name of Uslysses Grant
is not in them, and yet within the
brief space of eight years he was
made President of the United States.
Had there been no war who doubts
but that Grant would have ended his
life unhonored and unknown in his
brothers lanyard at Galena. More
probably he would be still living. for
taDyards are healthy places, and do
not breed cancers.
A few months ago Dewey was un-
known outside of limited naval cir
Gle, but nov his fame is worldwide.
What commentary upon the science
Of government A great man like
Daniel Webster devotes life to Its
study and becomes polar star of
craftsmanship, acquiring by slow but
sure processes the respect and conf
dence of all nations, but is displaced
from power to make room for man
who knows nothing but how to fight.
The wonder is that we arc still ma
tion and have government. t'ut
fortunately these military heroes are
generally men of mind and morals and
have been educated to have regard for
the supremacy of civil law Our mil
itary presidents made good presidents.
Old Hickory was arbitrary and fear
less, but he was unseli>h and had the
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