The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-07-22
"THE VOLUNTEERS FOR GEN. TAYLOR >

"THE VOLUNTEERS FOR GEN TAYLOR,
IS 'nlS really meant by the Atlas for compliment to
The elishattered whig party? so, we cannot com.
Plenenot Perhaps il is only confession of political
spirit ofparly which values vote
more 'hah man. That soldiers generally go for sue
cnieI be ne who he may, whatever his cause,
u.s. aias too true. The lining OF the camp and the
muSter>heid Impress but one idea of honor-vctory
U'ctory! VICTORY no matter over whom--no matter
Tor what end The great lesson of patriotism which
the soldier is daily drilled and which the most despotc
discipline forces him till it becomes the very drums
beat OF his heart, is-"Our country, RIGHT OR
WRONG" The successful blaze and carnage of war
Sancty all lis horrors and IFS crimes Even here
ancient Rome, men are wont to say, "THE c0NQUERoR
IS HEAVEN FAvoRITE," and in the common estimate
OF human bachery, the modern saying is verified,
"ONE MURDER MAKES vILLAIE MILLIONS A
HERO" Victorious war, though it makes the common
soldier the most abject of mortals and often the heaped
boneS of the battlefield the foostool OF tyran has in
thousand instances walked the echong shout Of its lv>
ing victims And to this blind principle of devotion the
Atlas appeals, with its Characteristic avidy for votes on
the first morning after the arrival Boston of the Mas
sacnnsetts Regiment in all its God, orsaken degradation
But aside from this general tendency Of any victory
to call forth the huzzas of the rank and 6e as their
chieitain did not absorb all the honor and they all The
debasements how miserable compliment 10 any party,
must be the vote of such volunteers as it has been our
mournul lot to Most Unexpectedly did we witness
yesterday, sad and sickening spectacle-the
remnant of the Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers in
the Mexican war. And truly never before did we set
our eyes on such horde of apologies for men--such
ahrIdopnnenfs nd ~ b,,,o
Not to pity their degradation and abandonment is not
TO be human. Such groups of shattered and fallen mans
hood never before startled the sensbties of this quiet
and thriul valley II was their unkempt hair their
shaggy matted boards, even all their filthy outside
that most touched the mingled pity and loalhng of the
beholders twas the even mixture Of moral squalio-
ness which no careless Interpreter ofman could msread
or help being grieved at. Scattered thny in the mel
ancholy drove were exceptions, in various degrees 10
those heTded substitutes for men-now and then one who
appeared not TO have outlived his manhood in the NOR
al strife of The camp and the campaign These seemed
TO have come back from the military wear and tear of
the soul comparatively unframed. To such we gave
quick Spontaneous need of honor and 10 the res,
our heartfelt pity and sudden disgust The common
soldier who bring home from foreign wal and The
moral havoc of the camp, of ravaged fields of exIed
villages, and conquered Cities the look and bearing o
uprIghtness manly sentiment, is much more than
common soldier He has in MIN moral sense that will
resist every shock and last him through the whole cam
pa;gn of life. Such will be The least likely 10 90
for that cause which goes for Gen. Taylor false no.
tons patriotism and glory and liberty seduced them 10
Mexico, user views, the wisdom Of sad experience and
broader observation, will persuade them to 6eht with
more than physical bravery holier battle with The
glorious war cry OF FREE Soil AND FREE MEN.u
But giving due honor and its full encouraoe,nen, n
such rare exceptions, linger yet moment to sneak
of that variety of wretchedness" which hailed hare
for few minutes, yesterday as if Providence had
sent them to show to peoceful citizens bas,v
glimpse OF what war is-what war does Taking Then
the foron congeres of "The Massachusetts Reo;ne,t
and making the most of this moral trophy of the Mex
lean war, we say, and say ii with all heart Give 10 mv
party the cause of peace, and the man of peace lie,
that party be nndazzed by eals OF arms however bril-
iIan IN an unconstitutional war of coyetouepess and
territorial raPine for slavery-s debasemeDt misery
and crime. Give TO the man ofmy party the votes 81
the rec farmer and mechanic the honest inelIgep nat
riots and lovers Of liberty who pursue the more hon.
orable calling of peaceful industry at home. and The A.
las may continue to cater for from the refuse and
cankers of" this miserable Mexican WARP
Worcester, July 20ih.