The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-07

From the Pennsy ivanian,
INGERsoLL's HISTORY OF THE WAR OF

1912. astsaae .sslsess1is
MEssRs. EDlroRs: have been among the read
ers Of Mr. lngersoll's history, and ask permission
TO say few words on the subject of Il.
There opinions and theories IN y to which
do not subscribe On the other hand, IKE the
feature which aims at presenting the civil history o.
the war we'll as the military. like TO see heid
up to conspicuous notice statesmen and members OF
Congress Of that day. IL has been said that the
Muse Of History is so much in love with Mars, that
she seldom converses with Minerva. II is one step
towards the latter when the portraits OF such men
a. Mr. Lowndes, Mr. Peasants, Hugh Nelson, Ma
thaniel Macon, Jonathan Roberts, Mr.. Webster,
Rufus King and 30 on, are given TO us; and given
with general fidelity, however It may happen 70 be
my opinion that Mr.. Macon's, as ono of the fore
going set, il overdrawn. Nor am satisfied with
what is said of Mr.. Madison. think that the por-
trature of him, and account of his presidential ser
vices and character scattered throughout the vol
ume, fall far below his merits though there are por-
tons of Just homage rendered to him. In this M
stance and others, Mr.. Ingersoll's aim has doubt
less been analysis rather than eulogy, and thus to
reach the historians highest ofice-imPar'lality-
always the proper aim
Passing to the main characteristics of the work,
view 1t as Astounding in useful matter, interesting
discussion, and original, ingenious, and enlarged
thought; the whole crowned by ardent and honora-
bic patriotism. The facts it has brought together,
on which dispute can exist, are exceedingly
striking. Many would probably have perished but
for this work; and nowhere else, in any single re-
pository known to me, can SO large body be found
bearing upon that memorable war for our rights and
honor. If we are destined to have another war
with England-and let us not be deceived by the re-
cent account Of scarcity within her borders--such
"reminiscences will be Of great use. Besides infor-
nation, they viii afford food for reflection. For
one, do not desire to inculcate enmiy to Britain;
but rather, while VIC at peace, to cherish the
spirit OF peace, and thinking war with her no
oh trtAa NO IN 10 carIp
moreover, for what the London Times says, and re-
GREETING to see how much of our patriotic fire il
kindes although abusing Sir Robert Peel as much
as il does us, which, in ITSELF might be sufficient to
assure us that il is be identified with the Brit
ish cabinet. Nor is any other English newspaper
Nevertheless, historical facts ought to be known.
To bring them to light is high duty and there are
subjects on which they cannot be set forth too i'm
pressiyely. Under no one head will those with
which Mr.. Ingersoll has freshened our memories be
more instructive, than when they show the use
England made Of the Indians in the two past wars
with u.s. Whether right or wrong in single pas
sage said be the product of DR.. Frankins fancy,
makes little difference Mr. Ingersoll took It from
work ofauthority, as it may be seen In page ZIG OF
his history. Its contemporaneous insertion IN that
work--an English work, too-and its preservation
there, uncontradiced, for more than half century,
at least gave il verisimilitude II may attest
what ought TO startle modern mankind, in this age
of improved humanity, still more namely that facts
had 80 exceeded ancy in this field of Indian barbara
ty, that the latter was not then suspected of any
agency in the matter, though alleged. Mr.. In
gersol is right in the whole substance The DecIa-
ration Of Independence itselfbacks him, when telling
the world that the English King "endeavored to
bring upon the inhabitants Of frontiers the mer-
CHESS Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare
is an undistingushed destruction of all ages, sexes,
and conditions What in that high document was
charged as endearor, became reality in the actual
war Of the revouton and Mr.. Ingersoll has wildly
shown occasions of which cav get the better,
or he is fortified by the solemn reports and DEGREES
Of the American nation,) when barbarties alike
shocking were perpetrated in the war Of 1912. The
English of the present might well draw alesson
of forbearance from the ncontestable facts recorded
in this volume and let it be hoped that they may;
else, should another war come, Wholesale butchery
on each side win be Witnessed by the civilized world
upon SCALE that wo to the nation which sets The
example Of such horrors.
In Judging Mr.. lngersoll's work, am disposed to
take It as whole, and to conclude with quota
ton
"The critics eye, that microscope Of wit,
Sees hairs and pores, exhibits bit by bit,
How parts relate TO parts or they to whole;
The bodys harmony the bcaming soul,
Are things which Kustcr Burman Vase, shall see,
When mans whole frame il obvious to flea"
TEMPLE.
Oct. 90, ls45.