Year: 1861

GEN. Scott's speech in New Xork.


Gen. Scott replied to the remarks Of the
President of the Chamber of Commerce in
New York, as follows:


The language of praise is sweet when it
comes from high sources of intelligence and
moral worth: and sweet, also,. is the con
sciousness OF having labored hard through
long life to merit it. The measure (he added)
was full and overhowing. The great calsm-
ity which has befallen the country-the re-
belliOn-had found him advanced far in life;
and the labors, responsibilities and anxieties
which 1t had thrown upon him, had broken
him down. He was now but wreck. Ii
the calamity had occurred three or four years
before, it would have found him vigorous,
and in a condition to do some service in
meeting it; and he would have met il, he
fiattered himself, successfully.


Although he was hors du combat, yet he
was happy to say-snd his opinion on this
subject must be of some value-that he had
left on the field large and patriotic army,
IN which were many of the best citizens of
the country, the best of officers and men,
commanded by Generals of great merit
Generals capable of maintaining and achiev-
ing victory. On the field were young and Wig
orous men, competent to perform all the du-
ties which the country requires of them
MaJOr-General Mcclellan, a man of scien-
tlhc attainments and genius, and of respec-
table experience; Major General IIalleck,
another officer of experience, science and
discretion, who would meet all tee expected
tions OF his Government and country, and
many Brigadiers and Colonels of great
worth.


lie General Scott did not, therefore,
despair of the Union; he was even conf
dent of the success of our cause, within
limited time, and hoped that the coming
spring would find the rebellion suppressed.
In short time more he hoped that another
union of fraternity would be re-established
so firmly as TO endure forever. The Union
had commanded all his affections. The
Union was his country and he knew no
other. To the United States only he owed
allegiance, and meant to die in that allegi-
ance.


General Scott then remarked that he was
about to leave this city and the country for
limited time, in order to repair his physical
condition He had had a very bad turn this
morning. dizziness in the head, like YER
tigo but hoped, before he embarked, to get
rid of that infrmity in the head, and he did
not doubt he would find some celebrity who
might treat successfully that complaint, and
that he might soon enjoy the pleasures of
locOmOtion. Then he should return to the
city which had been his delightful home for
SO many months in each year for about forty
years.


lie would return again TO the bosom of
that society which had always treated him
with SO much personal kindness and consid-
Grafton, and very happy should he be in such
return; and he trusted that happiness would
come In six or seven months, when he might
again see the city of New York. In conelu-
sion, the General thanked the committee for
the complimentary resolutions with which
they had presented him.


The committee then retired.


In reply TO Judge PierpOnt, of the Union
Defence Committee, Gen. Scott said


''Gcutemen of the Union Defence Com
mittee: l am in a poor condition 10 meet
you on this great occasion. | am at this
moment laboring under much dizziness. l
would wish 10 Iisc TO the height of the pre-
sent moment, but my physical ability will
cause me utterly 10 fail in my wishes. l
feel that | am greatly honored-honored by
those TO whom honor is due / feel that |
am not only in the bosom of my country
men-ot my fcllow- citizens of the town in
which | have lived more or less for the pas
forty odd years-but feel am in the bo-
som of my friends Oh! for one moment of
pliShthSSos ihdI liiSHI uO Jueilct 10 NY
feehngs-some small justice to the dignity
and weight of this company.


al 60, gentleman, across the ocean for a
short period, and for special purpose-for
the chance of getting rid of this dizziness,
which perplexes me almost every moment
and in the hope Of finIing some relief for
the infirmities | have labored under for
many years, and which have been greatly
increased by the unceasing labors of the
last ten or eleven months.


alt is my expectation TO return again to
that country TO which 1 am like yourselves
nobly devoted All that country-I mean
the Union-commenced with the good old
thirteen States l hope it will soon be made
up again to its tbirty-four. Although |
have been compelled to retire from the field,
have the consolation 10 be able to assure
you that the command of the army is in
competent hands; my opinion on the sub
ject may have some weight with you.


81 leave in the field generals of great
ability-Major Generals Mcclellan and Hal
leck-of high order of intellect, of scien-
ufc attainments, of much ability in militia
ry affairs, and of excellent judgment and
discretion,