Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-02
THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE WAR
FEDERAL ISLANDERS.

US great deal OF moruncdtlOn II Is TIE us
position which we find amongst the leaders OF
that party to SANDER and msrepresent the
President of the United States, simply and
solely because he is Democrat, even although
those ISLANDERS and Misrepresentation may
have the effect of lowering the character of the
whole republic in the estimation of the civil
zed world Yes, we conscientiously believe
that there are men in that party who, if by SO
doing they would injure Mr.. Polk, would not
hesitate to degrade the American name in the
eyes of all Christendom. And why do we
say ths?, Because we hear them day by day
in their public speeches, through the press, and
in the private circle, denouncing the present
war as an unjust and unholy one, and conse-
qucntly one in WHICH an honest and a just ma
ton would not engage. And why do they
do this? Is it because they believe what
they say? No. 1t is because a Democratic
administration is conducting the war, and
they, the Federalists, desire only to injnre that
administration, entirely reckless of the means
they adopt We believe, however, that
large majority OF the people OF this country
we'll understand the motives which influence
these men in the unpatriotic course which they
are pursuing. The most recent of these mis-
cradle ISLANDERS which has met our ears is that
which charges the administration with placing
Gen. Taylor in his present position, with, as
it is alledged, inadequate means to defend
himself against the attacks of Santa Anna, and
this for the purpose Of running him-destroy-
ing the reputation which he has already earn
ed. Now, in the first place, the event has
shewn that Gen Taylor has been able to stand
his ground; but in the second place, the ad-
ministration had, in reality, nothing to do with
his being at Saltillo, or rather Aqua Nueva,
with such small number of troops. Gen.
Scott is the commandtr-in- chief, and he it is
who has the disposition of the troops in the
field Had any mishap come upon Gen. Tay-
Ior, the blame would have fallen upon Gen.
Scott, who withdrew all the regulars from
Gen. Taylors command, and who thus lett
him SO weak-handed These are facts, as the
two letters which we publish below will de-
monstrate, and yet we hear the Federalists
endeavoring 10 make the people believe that
the fault, if any there is, lies at the door of
Mr. Folks administration. It will be seen
from the letter of the Secretary of War, that
Gen Scott was invested with the sole guidance
of the operations of the forces in Mexico
Gen. SCOTS letter to Gen. Taylor shews that
he also understood the matter, for he tells
Gen Taylor that he will have to take from
him the most of his forces. And he did take
them for the operations against Vera Cruz,
leaving Gen. Taylor's command composed of
volunteers almost entirely. We ask our readers
to give the letters careful perusal, and see if
we are not right and if they do not nail this
last Federal SANDER to the counter =
WAN DEPARTMENT, Washington, !
November %, 1916. :
SIN: The President, several days since, COM
municatcd in person to you his orders to repair to
Mexico, to take command of the forces there as.
sembled and particularly to organize and set on
foot expedition to operate on the gulf coast if
on arriving at the theatre of action. you shall deem
it to be practicable. 1t is not proposed to centric
your operations by definite and positive instruc.
tons, but you arc left to prosecute them youl
Judgment, under full view of all the circumstan
, ces shall dictate. The work is before you, and
the means provided, or to he provided for accom-
plishing il, is committed TO you, in the full conf.
dence that you will use them to the best advantage
The objects which it is desirable to obtain have
been indicated, and tits hoped that you will have
the requisite force to accomplish them.
Of this you must be the judge when prepare
tons are made and the time for action has arrived
Very respectfully your obedient servant.
w. L. MARCY, Secretary of War.
Major General WINFIELD SCOTT, conn andin:
the army, Washington.
Private and confidential
New YoRK, Nov. rs, 1916.
Mr. Dean GENERAL: left Washington lat,
, in the day yesterday, and expect to embark fo
New Orleans the 30th inst. By the 18th of De
:, cember may be in that city, at Point Isabel tn,
18th, and Camargo, say the 23d-in order to b.
: within easy corresponding distance from you.
is not probable that may be able to visit Monte
rey, and circumstances may prevent your coming
to me. / shall much regret not having an early
opportunity of felictatng you in person upon you
many brilliant achievements but we may NEE
somewhere in the interior of Mexico.
= l am not coming, my dear general, to suppressed
you III COMMAND Oh the line OF OPP
erations rendered illustrious by you and your gal
liant army. My proposed theatre is different. Yo,
y may imagine it, and wish very much that it wer
prudent, at this distance to tell you all that ex
pect to attempt or hope to execute. | have BEEF
admonished that dispatches have been lost and
have no special messenger at hand. Your imagi
nation will be aided by the letters of the Secretar
of " ar, conveyed by Mr.. Armistead, Major Ora
ham. and Mr.. McIane.
But, my dear general, shall be obliged to tax
n from you most of the gallant officers and mel
y (regulars and volunteers) whom you have so lon
n and noby commanded. I am afraid that
y shall, by imperious necessity-the approach c
" " yellow fever on the gulf coast-reduce you, for
y time, to stand on the defensive. This will be in
nitey painful to you and for that reason, distres
sing to me. But rely upon your patriotism t
submit to the temporary sacrifice with cheerful
ness No man can better afford to do So Recer
victories place you on that high emnence, and
N even fatter myself that any benefit that may rt
N suit to me, personally, from the unequal divisio
n of troops alluded to, will lessen the pain of you
consequent inactivity.
You will be aware of the recent call for min
regiments of new volunteers-including one
Texas horse. The President may soon ask ft
many more, and we not without hope ths
Congress may add ten or twelve to the regular e.
Enlistment. These by the spring, say Apr
may, by the aid of large bounties, be in the field
~ should Mexico not ear Ter propose terms of accom-
10 mediation; and long before the spring, (March)
10 is probable you will be again in force to resum