Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-03-02
VERMONT wATCHMAN STATE JOURNAL, MARCH e. 1913

against the serious evils which, both as immedi-
ate and indirect consequences, would have re-
suited from the sacrifice Of that army SO far as
the conduct of the volunteers has been prompt
ed by such considerations, it has been eminently
prase-worlhy. But beyond this fear there is
little that Christian or moralist can approve
little that wise statesman would desire to cher
ish. If you subtract from the impulses Of those
who have so eagerly rushed to the field the hope
OF military fame, and perhaps of political aGvan.
tages as its consequence, the passion for the ro-
nance of danger, the love of daring enterprise
and the expectation of wild adventure in those
strange and distant climes, which the historians
OF the internal exploits of Corez have made clas-
sic ground, you will, in too many instances,
have little left but that savage thirst for blood
which eighteen centuries of Christian teachings
have not been able 10. eradicate from the human
breast.
But creditable as are our recent victories to
the bravery of our troops, they are far more i'm
portant to our national safety and renown, as
furnishing to the world evidence that the highest
order Of straegcal talent exists among us, and
our system Of military education is able to pro-
duce as accomplished corps Of officers as the
best educated European professional schools.
The disposition to withhold from the regular
officers the praise and the rewards to which they
are justly entitled is not an accident not a mere
matter of personal feeling with the members of
the present Cabinet, but 1t is one among the ma
ny evidences Of design, which has been long
entertained by n certain party, to demoraiize the
army, break down its esperit de corps, abolish the
military academy, and convert the military es-
tablishment into an engine Of political corrup.
ton. The army, as formerly organized, is too
consecutive in its character and influence TO suit
the views of the destructive school, Education,
subordinatlon, discipline, permanent tenure of
office, formidable obstacles to the "progress"
of modern democracy and among other ire
forms" which will signalize tho triumph Of radi-
callsm, will be tho suppression of the school at
West Point, rotation in Office in the military SER
vice, and the establishment of the principle that
political subservency is the only route to militia
ry proierment. The introduction Of similar IN
noVations into the navy is somewhat more diff
cult, but it is not impractlcable even there; and
in case European war should require an in
crease of marine, the oldest commodore may very
probably find himself superseded by New
York pilot, or an amateur captain Of a private
yatch.
know as little of the grounds on which the
Administration has thought proper to take away
one-holf the effective strength of the army in
Mexico, by recalling its accomplished comman-
der, as do of those on which the Executive
chose TO give double strength and viror to the
Mexican forces by restoring to them their ablest
general; and therefore, however strong my i'm
pressions will not pronounce judgment before
hand on the proprlety OF that act This much
however, may safely say, that a Cabinet, which
has not had the generosity to bestow upon Gen
Scott single personal compliment for the great
est military achievement Of this generation, sin
gle word OF praise on the unrivaed genius dis
played In the great combinations which alone
rendered the proves of our troops available, and
which have commanded the unbounded admira
ton of the ablcst living captains exhibits spir
it of illberaty towards most eminent and de
serving fellow citizen, which well accords with
the injustice of its policy towards Mexico.