The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-06
vindieation or the New orleans Picayun.

I" Mr.. Kendals opinion carries more weight will
it because II Is free from party prejudice, and
the theatre of action, where he is acquainted witt
the Mexican character and resources, and has has
the advantage of conversing with military men, who
nave considered and discussed the subject Hash
ington Union, 18Th uh. .sa
The publication Of the official dispatches, detail
ing the great events which preceded the capture 0
the city of Mexico presents fit occasion once NOR
to allude to and refute the ilberal attacks which
have been made upon Mr.. Kendalns impartality as
historian. These attacks have been mostly dicta-
I'd by desire, on the part Of those who made them
o exalt single individual in the army high abov..
the flight Of his military capacitiesa desire which
assumed the quality of fanaticism In intensity and f.
tuity in folly It is with the profoundest satisfaction
that we remarked the close coincidence between tn.
official dispatches Of Gen. Scott and the narrativee
Mr.. Kendall, us to the great and important transat
lions before the city of Mexico and the generals who
were conspicuous in them We might appeal to II,
official documents in triumph to sustain the accura
~ Of associate and in vindcation of the cando
md intelligence of his chronicles Excepting alon
the feats OF arms and high military combinations
'fGen. Pillow, as reported by himself the letters Of
Kendall stand in the MAN, side by side with the off
cal narrative Occupying this position we may we
defy the defamers of his reputation, whether they b
pHly HdCkS tus Sue tue MO pTdnue OF 6eneral PlI
lows amenuenses on the other. The concurrent ter
timony Of the man who in fact achieved the glory
stricken fields Is platform upon which the charac
ter OF historian may rest, secure from the assault
ofsuch heroes fight battles after they are won am
weave chnplets from the loaves that fall from othe
mems brows. The narrative Of Mr.. Kendall wi
stand good, even when 1t Is better known than 1t
now that Gideon J. Pillow and Leonidas" are sy
nonimous terms es
D. 4 "
The Washington Union has been conspicuous
amongst those Of our cotemporares who have soughl
to disparage the labors of confere 1t has aideo
in the effort Ruthless in effect, to prevent the demo.
cratic press from copying the letters of Mr. Kendall
and has endenvored TO scandalize his compositions
as tainted with political preudices. And for what
| Because Mr.. Kendall did not see fit to applaud Gen
Pillow for the capture of Contreras and thus deprive
Gen. Smith Of the credit Of that brilliant achieve.
ment for the benefit of an officer who was as nno-
cent of any participation in it as Mr.. Richie was
himself So all this elimination comes of Mr.. Ken
dafs refusal to endorse the fabrcations of Leoni.
das" whose drafts upon the gullibity Of the public
would drain the exchequer of the father of les
The Washington Union has been constrained 10
admit in the face Of the conspiracy of which 1t was
the main prop, that Mr.. Kendalps opinion "is free
from party prejudice" in the only matter about which
there was scope for the indulgence Of any-we al.
Jude to the opinions Of Mr.. Kendall upon the future
prosecution of the war, Concerning which the Union
made the comment which stands at the head of this
notice. We cannot but feel gratied to see COMES.
sion credable to co-laborer extorted from the
most distinguished of his enemes-even though
made in an access Of unwonted candor. We are sa-
tisfed that the acknowledgment here made will be.
come more and more the sentiment of the country
With the great masses of American readers with
those who do not espy glaring mischief in thu
blessed sun, 1t is prevailing feeling now and we
ejoice to think that presently there will be none to
ainsay it, unless there be those who harbor malice
IS the riches of the soul.
We are not required to come to the rescue of Mr..
xendalPs character as historian, as thing endan-
sered by the insnuaons that have been made against
It. Official revelations strengthen his position be-
ore the public. We have been assaied by the vcnal
ind misiudged by the uniformed, till resentment
night be tolerated as just yet we will not Indulge il
We shall only and, hereafter, what, in completing GU
Justification, perfects the record Of the personal mat
ers involved. The letter of Leonidasn can do us
nut little hurt and 1t is in vindicaton of truth
han from ill-w towards any body that we mention
he fact that the original manuscript with amenda
IONS nterineations and marginal notes, has faler
nto the hands of Gen. Scott. Its production will
lemonstrat the agency Of Gen. Pillow in its COM
'oslton--i will more than sustain us In all that W,
iave said, and show that when the people deemed
We was hewing down the enemies of his country
his modern Gideon was hacking his sword upon
he commandments Of God.--N o. Picayune.