Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-12-16

] am happy TO inform you that the health
and condition o. the volunteer force from this
state In Mexico is good and that its reputa-
ZION foy soldierlY efficiency and department is
in the highesidegree satisfactory. Il is source
Of no slight modification TO this gallant corps
itself, as well as 10 the pride Of our state. that
no opportunity has occurred for il TO share
those laureis which have been so abundantIy
gathered by the gallant troops Of our common
country, in every battle fed. Although the
war with Mexico still continues. the prospect
for distinction is not hatterina. The armies Of
Mexico have been annihiiated; her resources
have been captured or exhausted; her govern
ment disorganized and forced to fee; and
there seems to be nothing left for our armies to
encounter but the sulen and logged temper Of
our irnhecile and henighted foe
Allow me, gentlemen, 10 congratulate you
upon our uniform success IN Mexico. The
splendor Of cur achievements has elevated the
name o. our country, covered our arms with
imperishable glory, and excited the wonder and
admiration Of the world. Commenced as the
war was by Mexico, wrongfully and without
sufficient cause, trust il will not be termina-
ted until we shall have obtained Indemnity
for The past and security for Tie future" and
shall have taught Mexico TO respect power
SuE has HPfttufOEE iItdteu Win dITpDd0Ep anu
scorn. Had il been her pleasure, a treaty of
amity, of peace, and Of friendship. upon terms
highly LIBERAL would have been readily enter
ed into by this country; but preferring war,
and having entered the disputed territory, and
attacked the army Of Gen. Taylor, preceded
by sundry incidents of bloody atrocity, the
question is widely different BY the laws of
nations this country has the right to require
surrender Of territory as some equivalent for
the heavy loss 10 which we have been put BY
the aggressive policy of Mexico, and II is du
ty we owe to our country and to the future
peace OF the world 10 insist, as sine qua non,
upon such concession.
Shall he insolent Mexican go UNPUBLISHED?
Shall the glories Of Palo Alto, Resaca de la
Palma, Monterey, Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo,
Contreras, Churubusco, Moline del Rey,
Chapultepec and the Garitas; pass away as a
dream, leaving no solid memorial behind them
Of skill, gallantry, and sell sacrhcing de-
votion unsurpassed in the history Of MANI |
regard this war as practical question, and TO
be disposed of accordingly. That morbid
sympathy which lives only for Mexieo--hat
Mexico which murders the drunken soldier,
and lances the wounded on the field of battle
II cannot approve; nor can | respect that
closet philosophy which teaches magnanim-
ty that calls US TO surrender every thing, be-
cause we are victorious. No, my sympathes
are for my country, for the gallant dead. for
those whose mighty deeds have given a bold
er and broader light TO our glorious constel-
lation. for their widows and for their orphans.
Instead Of this unhealthy magnanimity, TO
which have adverted, would be just to
Mexico, but just also to my own county.
Allow me. gentlemen, again 10 congratulate
you upon the suspicious circumstances in
which YOU commence your important labors.
| trust that they will be characterized by en-
larged and practical wisdom, and that by the
the gratitude Of your constituents, and live in
the affections of our beloved Commonwealth
WILLIAM SMITH.
December 6, lS47.