American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-11-13
From the Philadelphia Inouirer,7

II u " r A L IL | y L | s Nj .
THE VIcTINs-THE wtDows-AND THE ORPHANS
One Of the first duties of Congress on its re-
assembling in December, will be to provide in
the most liberal spirit for the widows and Or
phans of the hundreds who fell in battle at
IRalo Alto and Resaca de la Palma on the
Feighth and ninth of May, and at the fearful
siege of Monterey on the 2lst, 22d and 23d of
September We trust that in this matter, there
will be no hesitation, no delay, and that no
narrow and unmanly spirit will be manifested
Inc men who nave been manned foy life while
fighting the battles Of their country, should be
adequately provided for, while the widows and
orphans OF those who poured out their blood
and expired upon the battle field, should be
dealt with not only justly but generously
We are aware that no money can adequately
compensate the surviving relatives for the loss
they have experienced. The mothers, the
wives, the children of the lamented dead
alas! the whole world coined into gold could
not bring back one spirit TO its frail tenement
of mortality! But the nation owes it to it,
self, to its honor and lis character, to make a
noble EXAMPLE in relation to the war in which
we are engaged, and the victims whose bones
will be left on foreign sell. The people
should every where be taught that our 90
!. vernment is in fact and in spirit paternal and
REPUBLICAN, and that no man who laws down
his life as sacrifice upon the altar of patriot
ism, need IN his expiring moments, apprehend
lngratitude and neglect on the part of his coun-
try, towards the beings who are dearer to him
than life, and who have been in the habit of
looking up to him as their parent, protector
and provider. Doubtless, many a heart has
been wrung by the events of conflict and death
which we have been called upon to record
within the las GaVu t1ontbS Tho
OF patriotism iudGced many chvaric spirit
to rally under the standard of the Republic, to
abandon family and friends for time, in the
hope not only of assisting the efforts of the
nation, but OF winning laurels in the battle
held, and thus name and a reputation, of
which living relatives and friends should be
proud, and which might descend as an honor
able legacy 10 his children. The fear of death
exercised but little influence over SUCH Honor,
glory, love OF country, were the prevailing SEN
timent, and hence they responded promptly
to the call Of the nation, marshaled themselves
under the lead of some favorite comrade, and
FASTENED to the scene of trial and of DEATH
Who may imagine the thoughts of snch, when,
stricken down by cannon-ball, musket-shot or
sabre stroke, the closing hours of life passed
rapidly on, and the memories of home, Of boy
ish haunts and cherished objects crowded upon
the suffering and failing mind?
What would have been given at such an
hour, for one look of love, one expression of
! consolation, one pressure Of the hand, one fond
and parting kiss! Many, too, must have per-
lshed thus while the conflict still ragged, amidst
the cries CT the assaiied and tho assaling, the
shouts OF the advancing and the retreating, the
thunders OF the artillery, the groans Of the
wounded, and the agoniZng shrieks of the dy-
my. they knew not whether victory or defeat
crowned the efforts of their comradcs-nay,
whether their nutilated remains would ever be
recognized, or again be looked upon by the
friends and relatives from whom they had part
cd but short time before, with such high hopes
and soaring expectations. Who may fancy the
visions and imagining Of the hour of death un-
der such clrcumstances-Who recognize the
biood-staned aud dis6gured bodyl
There are Others again, who will return from
the scene Of carnage, manged in persoa, with
limbs shot or cloveH from their bodies, bereft of
hand, an arm, or an eye-objects of commits
seration in some sense, for the rest oftheir days.
All these, we repeat, should be duly provided
ior' fohcy as well as duty dictates such a
course large portion of the force engaged in
the recent struggles consisted of volunteers, of
men, VINO, at the first call of their country,
threw ny their implements Of labor, abandoned
NENlr workshops, and rallied under The national
standard. MANY of these are now alaong the
things that were, live but in name. and are
mourned by mothers and sisters and wives
But their country should not forpet them. The
republic should testify its appreciation of the
spirit by which they were animated. The ncrls
they encountered, and the death they suffered.
This, at least, is due. The popular heart and