Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-02-18

OUR GENBRALS.-We advise our Generals TO DC
careful No one, in the whole history of country
has placed himself in opposition to the government
without destroying his own reputation. The Ameri-
people too honest and intelligent TO be safely
tried with in great national affairs, by their agents,
civil or military, and especially the latter. Every
man of common sense and common honesty knows
and feels that In war, public men bound to for
get private grievances, and give all their energies to
their counry and as the responsibilities of military
commanders are great IN proportion to the mischiefs
flowing from their incapaciy or in6dety, the people
exact of them especial devotion the country, and
especial oblivion of themselves. In the of the
Revolution, Gen. Lee undertook TO make little CAPT.
tai for himself at the expense Of Gen. Washington,
and was ruined for his pains In the of 1912,
Gen. Hull was either frightened or purchased by the
enemy, and completely crushed. He tried, long
afterwards, by writing hook, and eating public
dinner at Boston, under the auspices Of Mr.. David
Henshaw and some other politicians of the day. to
put up himself by putting down MIR. Madison and
Generals Armstrong and Dearborn. But the country
had already rendered judgment, and found no good
reason in his appeal for reversing its decision This
same Gen. Armstrong, Secretary of War to Mr.. Mad
ison, retired abruptly from the cabinet and endeavor-
ed to throw upon Mr.. Madison and others, the odum
of incompetency in conducting the But the ma
jorty OF the country sustained their President, the
war was vigorously and VIGOROUSLY prosecuted after
wards, and Gen. Armstrong took nothing by his mo-
ton. Recently Gen. Gaines, in attempting to raise
armies without authority, placed himself in opposition
to the government and barely saved his aures from
blight All that can be said is, that he had lucky
escape through patriotic motives. Gen. Worth had
nearly destroyed himself and is indebted to chance
for brilliant recovery. Gen. Scott had nearly de-
moshed his well-earned reputation and blighted all
his prospects, by considering himself in preference to
his country; and he is yet repair that grevous
ror though he will do it nobly if opportunity
And thus does our whole history prove that no mil
ffar nd with ne
duties, make himself primary consideration, con-
tend with his government We greatly fear that Gen.
Taylor has wrecked himself on one all of these
rocks, though still hope for him safe deverance.
We have said that he could not have written the letter
published in his name, because we could believe
that discreet and patriotic soldier would thus adj
dress his countrymen in war, from the enemys coun
try. And we have also said that If he did write a
letter which military commander should not have
written under any circumstances, he never wished,
expected or apprehended its publication. But our
correspondent at Washington intimates a current
opinion there, that Gen. Taylor wrote this letter for
publication, and at the beginning of between
himself and the Executive If this be true, are
compelled to predict and with no slight regret, the
total overthrow of Gen. Taylor. The Executive is
not quite imbecie enough to give Gen. Taylor carte
blanche without means, to tie his hands unnecessa-
rily while furnishing ample means. Of course they
are not faultless. But intelligent and rejecting
mind will suppose that they were blind their po-
sitons, ignorant of their dutes remss in perform
ing them, Then IF things not done as they ought
to have been, ii Is unreasonable to suppose that all
the fault is on their side. And If Gen. Taylor has
committed faults, and instead of repairing them,
dertakes to make hostile issue with the Executive,
he expect the fate which the country has award
ed to other Generals in like cases erring. He will,
in such ISSUE be overpowered, and will be indebted
to the President-nakers for his fall The people toA
not tolerate President-making in the camp. Wehave
long since feared that the Presdent-makers would in
jure ruin Gen. Taylor, and have often spoken in
warning.-Pa. Ledger.