Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-09-14
DAILY WHIG.
THE WAR!

THE WAh
We lad before our City readers, in an extra sheet, last
Saturday, the disagreeAblo tdings from our Squadron in the
Gulf OF Mexico. which will be found in another column Of
this mornings paper. Without aseribing any want OF skill,
coeIgy OF valor to our gallant iars, in neither OF which
quslitics do we deem them deficient, it must nevertheless
be conceded that the operations OF the Gulf Squadron, as
well as OF that in the Pacific. have been far lees brilliant
and effective than the overweight expectations OF the ccun-
try had been led to anticipate. II is possible, however that
our Naval Commanders may have been held in check by
the Department at Washington, from considerations OF po-
Icy, growing out of the alleged anxiety Of the Executive
10 purchase peace. since it has become apParentthaihe dill
fculty OF reaching tho "haus OF the Montezumss," in which,
had The glowing vaccinations Of the Official Journal been
realized, our victorious forces should now be "revelling,'
had been so greatly moderated by the military Marunets,
who undertook to cenSure Gen. Scott 50 sharply for think
ing that time would be necessary 10 organize and discipline
our raw Ievies before they should take the field. Accord
ing To these closet NapO!eOns, cur lcgions had nothing to
do but to cross the Rio Gtande, sweep over the provinces
Like a prairie fire, and make their triumphal entry into the
splendid capital of Mexico, with the eIuling declaration
OF the ''old Roman" inscribed upon their 'engles"-Veni,
ridi, Uie.
But how different is the fact from the prophecy. -Four
months have elapsed since the brilliant victories OF PalO
Alto and Resaca de Ia Palma-and our army has remained
sneamped almost in sight OF those glorious helds.-
At the last accounts, indeed, a detachment had taken up
tho line Of march for the interior and, composed as
IT is Of tie elite Of the Army, we may with confidence
anticipate another Brilliant triumph, if the enemy, sui
relying upon his ability TO meet them in fair fight, shall
venture to oppose their progress. But in the corps de re-
ssrpe-tho volunteers, under the command Of officers, like
themselves unframed to the duties OF the camp, uninurcd
TO its hardships and FESTIVE under the restraints Of the severe
discipline necessary TO the formation of good soldiers-we
confess We have but ltle confidence, should there be 4
pro,rac,od and severely contested struggle. Men, taken
suddenly from the plough, the workshop and the counter,
IRE not converted into soldiers in a day or a month and
without long and rigid discipline, the most intrepid cour-
age is but a fral reliance under u CALLING fire OF a fierce
charge, OF even when extraordinary obstacles are TO be
surmounted by unrelaxing energy, or severe privutions TO
be endured with uneomplainins patience. Men, Justirom
the comforts Of their own fresides, and equally unaeeus-
tomed 10 control and to personal suffering, cannot be eX-
pected 10 constitute a reliable force with which TO invade
and conquer a foreign territory. Similar views are ex-
preSsed-and we are, therefore, more strongly impressed
with their force aud uuth-in an interesting article in the
September number Of the New Orleans Commercial
Review, =" iron tue pen OF Joel r. Poinset, Esq. some
wears ago our Miuisierin Mexico, whogiyes it as his decid-
ed opinion that an attempt to march TO Mexico. and there
dictate a peace-which we have always understood to be
The design Of the Administrations an undertaking that
would be attended with great hazard, without having on
foot n thoroughly diciplned, well organized and perfectly
appointed army" For the defence OF the country against
al invading foe, we should always rely with entire conf
denee on the militia and volunteers bat in a war OF con-
quest. as ali experience has heretofore proved, and as we
fear will be still more signally illustrated by the results Of
tho Mexicon campaign, their effectiveness, after the enthu.
siasm which prompted them to take the field shall have
been chilled by delay and suffering, will generally be in an
inverse ratio to their numbers.
Entertaining these opinions, we are disposed to give
great weight 10 the suggestions OF a correspondent Of the
Mem York EpeHing Post, the writer and the paper in
which his article appears both being decided supporters Of
the Administradon-whie the reader will find IN another
column. It the conquest Of Mexico is TO be sehieved-if
"-~:""Ar neaee' with that ReDqblie-we are
inclined to believe, from the developments already made,
that our REGULAR Army must be considerably increased.
The work will never be effected by volunteers, however
brave they may be, OF whatever ardor they may exhibit in
obeyiug the summons Of their country. The return home
OF the louisiana and Alabama volunteers, almos, to 4
man, Notwithstanding the inducements held out TO them TO
remain as twelve months volunteers, as soon as they were
apprizcd that they could no longer belegaly detained, shows
that a few weeks experience in camp is sufficient to
work a decisive revolution in their feelings. Unless, there.
fore, Mr.. Polk shall DO able to purchase q peace" with
Mexico, we do not hesitate 10 express the opinion that the
war will be protracied much longer Than any one had at
first supposed possible, and that it will be attended with the
most formidable difficulties in its prosecution.
We have suggested that the commanders Of the Gulf
aud Pacific sqaadrons may have been held in check by
orders dfom wsshington) dictated by considerations Of
STATE policy, growing out Of the recent revolution in MeGi-
co, IN favor Of Santa Ana, whose return to that county,
without any effort to prevent his entrance into Vera Cruz,
would seem to imply that an under standing existed between
Mr.. Polk and himself prior 10 his departure from Havana.
Nevertheless, there are some reasons TO suppose that this
-sapposiion may not be we'll founded. The fact, for exam.
pie, stntcd some days ago, before the news Of the capture
OF Monterey reached the u. States, that Com. Sloai is to be
srpopeded in the command Of the squadron in the Pacific,
would seem 10 imply the existence Of some dissatisfaction
nc Washington with his slOth and inactivity IN that quarter.
And q report now reaches Us, from Pensacola also, that
Com. Perm is on his way out, to take command Of the
Gulf squadron, IN place Of Com. Connor-a report in tho
correctness Of which the New Orleans Picayune expresses
It's belief. Com. Conner says that paperl hs said to be
failing in health. To this cause is attributed. by officers
IN the squadron, certain miseafusges ia the Gull, which
have been a source Of ehbgrn 10 the whole navy. Its
possible that Com. Conner, who, be IL remembered. has
done the State good service in days gone by, would prefer
being relieved Of this time, when sickness and the iufrmi-
ses q ago are pressing upon MN" whaleyer may be thc
causes Of tho inactivity Of our naval forces on the Mexican
coast and u the unfortunate "miscsriaecs" referred TO-
whether they have arisen from the fault Of the oGcersi ia
command, or from their instmcuons-it y obvious that, #
,he war h. 20 90 on. u can only be brought 10 a speedy and
honorable termination by he infusion Of more yigor into our
operations than has heretofore been witnessed, both by
land and seq. when hosniHos frst commenced, t was
msnnesdy believed by Mr. Polk and hi advisers that IL
would be q mere bs~gafs,ls-one hglt perhaps, aud a series
Of ioot-rsees. But tits nou apparent diat the contest, On.
lee soLp can he oieoiuuly brought into feqgisiuon, a. Mr.
Polk evidently thinks 1t may be, by asking Two fiiions
from Congress TO en- able him to nssohai, a p1sco, will be
protracisd. and We fear inrlorous, IN the hands c those
Who ao entrusted with is direction and management
WHAT in the windg
10 the last Portsmouth New Era wo observe a card. 10
large type. announcing that" a meeting Of the Democut-
ic party Of tie cay oi Norfolk. town Of Portsmouth and
tho Surrounding country, will be held st Town Holl. 90
a. -... 90 - IL. U.N- IA 4