Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-03-31
The Tote SsersiaTV Of War.

The New York Courier says, few men have lost
so much character in so short period Of time, a,
Mr.. Poinsett, the late Secretary of War
We were not aware that the gentleman had rnueb
character to lose. The most brilliant fea, or his
that we ever heard or was his appeal TO the s,ors
and stripes for personal safety, when threatensd b
a mob in the city of Mexico. We have meyer zee.
able TO appreciate the chiyalry Of this vaunted ma
n@uVre' II was, as II a man should take 10 n tree
when attacked by mad bull, and there was no
other means of escape. II was prudent, for no bo.
nour was TO be gained by being quartered bv n
mob: but the surprising daring, we reneo, w.
never could descry. The circumstance was mi,
When the enraged multitude were pulling do,,o
and destroying every thing in their way. thew cam.
upon Mr.. Poinsett he fed TO his sanctuary. md
seized hold upon the horns Of the altar. He nnf,r
ed the nag OF his country-the flag OF a great md
friendly nauoa--whch was an gis Of protection IN
All who cams beneath its shadow. The rnob i,
sianily desisted, and Mr. Ponsett has been glo,;.d
as having cist in the shade all Grecian and Ror,,
heroism. This estimate, however, can only be i,s.
tilted by reference TO the Richie and BayIv sods
Of ebiyalry, MS oTemplifsd in the New Yo,L ca,e
Buster and swagger to the tune Of antisnt Pistol
=
hour Of tnaI as long rs possibe but be ready to
take to your serapers at the first approach of dan.
ger. Er,nBii gyatia Swear you will be rsveny.
ed Of New York, rs months hsHee-in ,be mean.
time tread the wine press Of wrath, and vow what
bloody deeds you'll execute but be the first man
(IIke the Brgadier,) NJ tho sound Of the hrst o,o
TO break ground--or foIlow close in his footsteps
Ike his venerable co.adj utor and meyer look baek
until you have reached "Freedon's faslsess,n the
everlasting mountains Then you may recount your
0a''lss--Ihe dangers you have csaped, and the clio.
rIes you have won. This is the path TO modern
ehyalry.
Bot TO return 70 Mr.. Poinseu The Courier
comedies that he went 70 Washington with a bigb
reputation but 'onends that he Justly forfeited /,
oy his oisrepu'able administration Of the War De-
PanmeoL That PIPER details the following pani,
eulars, for the truth Of which il vouches.
"Under him for the first time. psrtv r,ol,,;,.
permitted to have m influence in the esnsr, 1900,
fnent Of army matters; and Il became n cor,,a.-
ing that one campaign al Washington and IN nvo,.
ofLoco FOco opinions, was worth ha n dozen NJ, a.,
western frontier or IN the ever g'ades OF Plorda.
IN all staff appointments, applications for furlouobs
~. &c tie political sentiments Of the officer apoiv
ing, was faT more a question OF consideration. Thar
hs public services OF bis Standing o his corps; anc
finally, on the eve Of leaving hs department.. h,
evinced rs great disregard for his osSn abo,se,e
os he had previously for the standing and chafac
Ter OF he amy. We allude particularly 10 IN,
mode 70 winch he made the appointments Of Cadeu
/ 70 the Military Academy ~ West Point In rois.
200 10 nus matter, we are at liberty state the FOL
"I' has been the the custom Of The War Depart