Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-07-23

selksA considerations could, we are satisfied have
induced the honorable senator to have passed this
ASttpring euogy upon US. The part he has Ia
ken here to-day can add nothing to his fame
From early day, his history has been identified
With the history of the State of missouri, and a
feeling of State pride has induced him to give a
favorable consideration to the services rendered by
the volunteers Of Missouri. To him, and your
selves again return our warmest thanks. The
minute description given by the orator of scenes
through which we have passed, has excited our
wonder. IDdced, 80 correct and minute his
details, that thew resemble history, and / might
almost say that they have become part of hlsto-
~.
The few brief remarks which shall! make to
you leIlOw-ctizcns, will, of necessity, be discon
nected. Man seldom speaks of himself WITHOUT
vanity and it is habit in which do moi oiteh
indulge, Officers of the regular army whose ives
efe devoted to their country, may. by their prow-
ess-by their long continuance In inc service
obtain promotion The ladder of fame is before
Them. and BY their deeds of chvalry they may at
3epoth reach the topmost round. Not SO with
volunteers. They only enlist for limited period,
a. the call of their country in her emergency and
ShPu return to mingIe with their friends. The on
" reward that awaits volunteer is the gratitude,
and warm reception, and honor of his feIlow-ciii-
zcns. If our services have nieri ed honor then we
have been more than repaid.
Upon returning from our nriuous campaign,
and when entering upon the bosom of that noble
stream that washes the borders Of your city; when
ia passing The magnificent country seats. bright
eyes and smiling faces greeted US, and white hand
keTChlets weTe waved in honor Of the returning
volunteers, we felt that sufficiently re-
warded for ali our tolls. When we arrived at the
great city of New Orleans, we were all unknown.
passed the heroes of PalO Alto, Resaca de la Pal.
ma. Monterey, Buena Vista, and Cerro Gordo-
indeed the heroes of all the brilliant victories a.
chioyrd in Nexico-and it was to be supposed that
they wOuld have been wearied long ago. Yet their
patriotism, their regard for their country, is unceas-
ing There was not volunteer in this corps who
was not pronercd welcome hand. The hospital
tiles of the city were extended TO all. Men who
arrived there in rags were clothed; the wealthest
merchants, who never had seen them, proffered
them everything they wished for their comfort,
and on credit.
FeIIow-citizens It has been said of republics
which have existed heretofore, that they have
been ungrateful. However true the charge may
be with regard to former republics, it is not true
of our own. Patriotism, talent, snd virtue, have
ever been remembered in this government; and
they ever will I've.
merits of this war. But it is natural that 7, for
one, should say something in relation to it. 1t is
a strange war: when first commenced, it was de-
nOunced by a large party in our Countrywide par
~ 10 which belCng-as war for political pur-
poses. But, when soldiers were to be raised for
the prosecution, you find that mel of all PARTIES
the Opposers and the advocates, the accusers and
the accused--were ready TO engage in the war, to
rally under the standard, to fight in the same
tented field. What spectacle for the people of
the Old World to gNze upon!
Men who were engrossed in the strife of politi-
cal Prejudlces were willing, IKE Roderick Dhu and
Fiiz James, to lay aside those prejudicss for the
time, when common enemy was to te engaged
to renew their sessions, If ever, when peace
should be restored. Feow-citizens. wish that
the same patriotic feeling had existed in the coun.
ellis of this nation. | wish that Mexico could have
seen the same unanimity in our people, in the
prosecution of this war. that they have seen in our
forces in the field. recolIect well the impression
made on my mind, on one occasion, when an ex.
press, sent by me to Gen. Wool, brought me such
stray papers as had found their way to the Gene
rails camp--ihe latest dates were of the 29th No
. Vember-conscquentl we had seen nothing of
the proceedings of the last session of Congress- or
Of the Presidents message. The first thing cast
my eye upon was a speech Of Mr.. Corwin, senator
from Ohio, denouncing the war. and those enga.
gcd Ill it, as little better than a band of robbers
Gentlemen, winter shower bath would have been
pleasant compared with my sensations on reading
it! Freezing--chilling Such speeches might
have been deemed patriotic in the United States
bat place yourselves where we have been, and en-.
dure what we have undergone, and then imagine
our sensations. We were in a city numbering in
population at least twenty times our force, and
surrounded by enemies on all sides. We had eros
sed the Sierra Madre, and found, when we had ar.
rived at Chihuahua, that we were Looked upon as
little better than a band of robbers! FeIlow-citi.
zens, the speeches which are made in opposition
TO this war, are said to emanate from the peace
party; but say that they are made by those who
are postponing the peace eternaIly!
Ii The honorable Senator's Cunning TO Mr. Ben.
ton) plans had been adopted, the war would have
terminated long ago. If our government had pa-
ced at the disposal of Generals Scott and Taylor
each 10000 men, they would, ere this, have sub
dued the whole Mexican power. To talk about
guerilla warfare Is nonsense. against such forces
as this. If Gen. Taylor. with 4 500 men, whip.
ped Santa Anna at Buena Vista, with 5000 he
would have hunted him down and crushed him
1t Gen. Scott had had sufficient force on his
march from Vera Cruz to Mexico, to establish q
line of communication between his army and Vera
Cruz, he would, long ere this, have marched into
the city of Mexico, and there dictated the terms Of
peace.
Feow-c1tizens! What have we gained by this
war! Of Gen. Taylor | can safely speak, having
been through all his lines of operation He has
gained four distinguished Neutrality-suspicious. the
most brilliant victories that have ever been gained
ON the continent; and yet he has gained nothing
Why, sir, Cunning to Mr.. Benton) is it that the
efforts OF our army like the efforts on fevered
patient who spends all his strength in spasms
and as soon as'they are over is Frustrated! After
the brilliant victories which they have achieved
they have been forced, for want Of men, ammuni
tion' money. and conveyances to lie idle until the
enemy have been able TO gain strength anew, and
then the battles have to be fought over again. In
ouI victories nothing has been gained. Suppose
General Taylor remains where he is, will he have
gained anythirg? He has been there ever since
last September, and unless some better means are
afforded him, he will remain there until next Oc
tober The expense of this war is enormous
have been told that 81 ,OOO,O 900 week has been
paid TO sustain the war; and yet Gen. Taylor lies
IN the very position where he was eight month.
ago, and there he must lie.
Although have not been over Gen. Scott lin.
OF operations yet it is clear that he cannot sustain
himself from his want of means. He may take
cue CITY OF Mexico, but he cannot sustain himsel
tneIe--'ake he may, but it is impossible for hin
10 Keep IT, For Santa Anna, although he wa.
"Ioled "heIi he went to the city of Mexico. from
some cause has gained new strength, (some have
thought that 1t arose from Gen. SCOTS prnclama.
ton, and he will soon have an army snfFc;ont n