The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-28
Position and Power of the United States.


( In the short space item days, the United States,
in lts length and breadth have been converted INTO
camp The suddenness, rapidity, and energy
with which this vast confederacy' has bounded,
from condition of calmness and peace, into all
the movements and Developments OF one vast and
magnificent fortress, presents spectacle Of subli-
nifty that almost paralyses the mind with aston
ishment. In the East-n the West-in the South
in the North-in the centre-from the remote
shores of the Upper Missouri, to the iarthest rocks
of the Atlantic, we hear of nothing but the din OF
military preparaton-the proclamations Of Gov
crnors-the mastering OF forces-the shouts Of
volunteers-the excitement produced by whole
nation Of nearly twenty-five millions, leaping into
arms, with the rapidity of drilled company Of
flying artillery on the field Of battle, under the
cheering command of a gallant Ringgod
We see-and the truth is beyond a reasonable
doubt-that the whole country, in the short space
of ten days, has been converted into one broad,
boundless, multiplied camp The exceptions to
this formidable aspect are so inconsde rabe, as
almost to be invisible-as small as the ripple in
the grea, tide of eternity. Some slight opposition
10 this rapid movement appears to be manifested
IN South Carolina, through the remnants of bene-
violent, patriotic, but mistaken distractions Sim
and some portions of New York, coming fro m
equally minute and equally mistaken sections of
fanaticism and philosophy Developments in
the South and the North being considered ripples
IN the great movement of the national mind In
fact, the transition of this vast confederacy into
one magnificent camp from the first call to arms,
has been rapid and rs quick as the mastery
evolution, and sublime discipline, which gave VIC
sI. A tl,a 81
ready fought, in one week, on the banks of the
Rio GTande-the battles of Palo Alto, and that
of Resaca de la Palma. Mentally and physically
considered, the characteristics of our race are a
union of moral and physical elements, in the
highest degree ofdevelopement These are the
grand characteristics of the Anglo-American peo-
ple-the common elements of their ancestors in
Europe. And what made that small army of he
roes so invincible The existence and efficiency
of West Point Academy-the mental, moral, and
physical education gwen to the officers at West
Point Academy. The ranks of an army may be
filed up with disciplined troops in six months
brt officers must be educated from their youth up
wards--or pass years on the field of battle. And
yet this academy-this alma mater of the army of
heroes-has been opposed and ridiculed by the
sausage" section of the democracy in Congress,
for years past. What spectacle for the nations
OF Europe The energy and genius OF the army
on the Rio Grande are only equalled by the ener-
BY, rapidly and genius of the whole republic, to
the remotest extent
How can this be accounted for--th. almost per-
feet union throughout the national mind This
sublime spectacle of military preparation, and
military transition in the compass of one week
Il can only arise from the perfect freedom of our
institutions-the equality of our laws-the indie
pendence of the press--al united and combined
with the operations OF mechanism, as shown in
steam and magnetism during the last few years.
In this country the newspapers amount to nearly
fifteen hundred, and the issue of these batteries
weekly arc probably equal TO twenty millions of
sheets; which sheets are the devclopcments of
isots and circumstances having direct re-
ference TO our foreign and domestic relations
Inc Press--the independence and liberty Of the
press-ls the real power--the great moral battery
OF the nation. This engine, in ombination with
mechanical ingenuity and the powers of locomo-
ton, has converted the republic in one week. from
a peaceful and quiet community into one mi.
versal camp, determined to avenge the insults
and injuries OF quarter Of century, that have
been heaped upon US by the military tyranis ola
neighboriHg nation. Nothing can now stop hi,
combined movement of the whole renubl;c -
On 1stising the nsolence Of Mexico, and in rs.or.