The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-15
COMMUNICATIONS.
Our American Generals.

II is gratifying TO believe that whatever differences
may exist among u.s. counlrymen, with scarcely an
exception rejoice the successive victories obtained by
our gallant soldiers Their courage has disappointed
our expeciatons-ther energy has eqaaled hopes.
From the battle OF Pao Alto, year ago. TO that of
Cerro Gordo a few days smce-in the remote regions OF
| New Mexico and Catomia--on the banks of the Rio
Grande, the shores of the gulf-on the crowned
heights OF Monterey, or in the gasoned fortress OF Vera
Cruzwe have witnessed with Joy the prowess of Amer
lean valor, and hailed with glad hearts the umphs OF
our eagles.
embarked in this was the harbnger of success II
almost silenced the croaking voice of faction. Men
hced party considerations on every hand in their higher
obligations TO country.
| Honor and gratitude to the brave men and skilfu Off
GERS who have perled their lives and exhibited their
capacity many bloody battlefield Not leaf
should be furnished OF the chaplet with which grateful
nation would garland the brows OF Scott or TAYLOR,
Keamy, Doniphan, or Butler, or Pillow, Quitman
who have had the glorious privilege of earning death
less fame by leading armies OF eemen 10 battle and to
victory. ALL all, with their compairiots, coun
rymena all, are entitled TO our thankseach and all
in nobly dschaging their duty have won imperishable
renown, and added to the luse of the American name.
to be lamented, that there should be any movement
calculated to the universal enthusiasm with which
whole people honor and should continue TO honor
gallant defenders, impair the unannity and ma
tonaty OF feeling that peryades whole country in
regard to them. Faction should not be permitted such
time, interfere and endeavor TO appropriate TO party
the we-earned aures of any OF our generals Why
carry faction or party into our camp! The movement is
derogaiory to popular mlegence-is detrimental TO the
Of perncious and fatal tendency 10 the republic
While we may congratulate ourselves, that this po-
cal intrigue originated almost exclusively with the reck
less and proigate partisans who secretly opposed the
war; is to be amented that many pure hearted and hon
cst-mnded patriots have exhibited fauering weakness
ut the demonstration II they drusted the intelligence
and reliability OF their counymen under the glow oil sue
cessiu military fame Memory OF past events, when
some of our distinguished public men, who mill
tary generals have been elected to the presidency, has
excited their appehensons. They do not recoiect the
dissimiarity OF the II IS now proposed to elect
not an honored citizen in the retirement OF private life
but to transfer military leader an actual comnissioa
from the head Of army TO the head Of the republic.
step like this the people OF this country have never sane
toned 1t is too much in the style OF the military leaders
OF the Fictitious republic OF Mexico for us to initiate
their example II is too much in the spirit OF the last
and worst days OF the degenerate republic OF Rome Tor
new and free and an intelligent people like the United
States to copy after them Washington, and Jackson,
and HARRISON when elected President had each for many
years been disconnected with the army They were not
Casars Cromwels, or Napoleons, at the head of
victorious soery, but when called by their grateful and
contdng countymen to administer the affairs OF govern
ment, were the peaceful walk OF private life, They
had moreover discharged great and important civil dues1
one OF them Judge two OF them governors, and all
as members OF our national Legislature.
our country has escaped dsunion and anarchy such
as desolated Rome and terminated the dawnlng struggle
OF England and france for republican liberyf we are
not involved in tumolls such have distracted Mexico,
and almost all Spanish America-it is because, among
other things the people OF the United States have stu
dously avoided the dangerous example OF transferring
military general TO preside the national councils.
To have fought the battles OF his country high rec
ommendation to candidate but it constitutes, in itself,
no sufficient qualifications at any time, and is positive
objection while he is in the field.
has been generally remarked that the foremost actors
IN the present intrigues 10 transfer military leader IN
commission to the presidency, mostly those iactous
spirits who have opposed, far they dared, the war
in all its stages aud depored in their prints the OF
our arms Unable to destroy the national enthusiasm and
PATRIOTISM these reckless inrguers striving to
control the current OF grateful popular feelings and would
pervert what they could not prevent They would make
party presidential candidate OF OF successful
generals-they which-who is in foreign land
OF whose principles they know nothing, and who is with
out civil experience. The movement is not one OF pa
trioc impulse, but OF party intrigue II Is made, not TO
benefit the country, but evidently for selfish purposes.
One OF the unhappy effects of this unwise, ll-timed
and iactous proceeding is already beginning TO be per-
cephbe IN the army where, 10 some extent, officers and
soldiers are forming partisan cliques and cabals and
continued, viii lead to general dstlst impaTing their
efficiency Neither officers soldiers discharge
their duty with the same aacrty. ZEAL and devotion, for
olcer, that they for their country. Still less will
be their enthusiasm, their achievements rebound
to the glory and elevation of party leader whose prn
cipes they dees dramatically opposed to their
Viewed IN any aspect the subject is offensive. The Of
hcer who may be candidate cannot but have his par
halities Tor those who favor and his antpahies against
those who oppose his election. Unless, therefore, he
has army made up of personal partisans devoted TO
himself there must be discord and weakness in his
camp If generals are to have armies made up of
mere personal pirsans, the consequences our country
and to liberty may be coon and briefly told.
Nor IS the mischief oil this intrigue confined 10 the
not checked viii have an unfortunate influence As Yet
our victories have been national PARTISAN and have
been hailed with accanaon in every part OF the Union
But make either oil our deserving generals formal par
ty candldate aud the current OF public feeling must
inevitably be affected God forbid that any slate of
things shall arise which shall cause any portion OF our
people TO grudge the brave and meritorous officers the
tull honors they have well and calamity earned The
President, selecting officers for service, has Justly
known party but has wisely and generously selected
from all parties, and thus made the national in its
character All praise to HIM for IT and IT would be
cda indeed, if reckless parsans could, by management
and intrigue and tor mere selfish party ends, counteract
what has been so wisely done
One OF the most deploabe consequences OF taking up
presidential candidate from the camp and in the midst
OF war, will be to interest the officers who support
him, well many of their friends scattered through
the country the nrlgues and struggles of election
And when, too, the President elected with all the war
feelings Of actual commander for his active followers,
then shall civilians thrown aside, and the patron
age of the government dispensed among the officers Of the
army.
IT, at future day, when peace shall have returned
and armies dsbanded the gallant generals who
now lead our armies, shall like Washington and Jackson
and HARRISON resign their commissions and retire to pr-
vate e-like those great men, they may receive ma
tons gratitude IN nations highest honors Their he
rolc conduct and gallant service will not it is true, in
themselves, constitute all the requisite qualifications for
they have the essential qualifications strengthen their
claims TO popular favor. The deeds of Cerro Gordo, of
Buena VISTA and OF Sacramento, will live in the afec
lions of grateful people, who will delight 10 honor the
heroes OF those eventfu days, and who will canvass the
principles of such candidates for office with favor
Until that time, and long they are officers in com
mission and in the field, let us give th.n united