The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-12-12

like those drawn from the popuidUoh Vi al
other Country. They are composed Indii
criminately Of all professions and pursuits:
farmers, lawyers. physicians, merchants, mar
ufactu-ers. mechanics, and laborers; and thi'
not only among the officers, but the private so
diers in the ranks
Our citizen soldiers are unlike those Of an
other country in other respects. They ar
armed, and have been accustomed from thei
youth up to handle and use firearms and
large proportion Of them, especially in tn
western and more newly-settled States, ar
expert marksmen. They are men who have
reputation to maintain at home by their goo'
conduct in the field. They are intelligent
and there is an individuality OF characte
which is found in the ranks OF no other army
In battle, each private man, as well as ever
officer, fights not only for his country, but to-
glory and distinction among his fellow-citizen
when he shall return 10 civil life.
The war with Mexico has demonstrated no
only the ability of the government to organ
! ize numerous army upon sudden call, bu
also to provide it with the munitions and nee
essary supplies with despatch, convenience
and ease, and to direct in operations with eff
fciency The strength of our institutions ha:
not only been displayed in the yalor and skill
of our troops engaged in active service IN the
field, but III the organization Of those execu'
tive branches which were charged with the
general direction and conduct of the war
While too great praise cannot be bestowed
upon the officers and men who fought our bat
ties, it would be unjust TO withhold from those
officers necessarily stationed at home. who
were charged with the duty Of furnishing the
army, in proper time and in proper places,
with all the munitions of war and other sup
plies so necessary TO make it efficient, the com
mendation to which they are entitled.
The credit due 10 this class of our officers
is the greater, when il is considered that no
army in ancient or modern times was ever
better appointed or provided thaB our army
in Mexico. Operating in an enemy's coun-
try, removed Two thousand miles from the
seat of The federal government, its different
corps spread0 over a vast extent Of territory.
hundreds and even thousands of miles apart
from each other, nothing short Of the unit
ring vigilance and extraordinary energy of
these officers could have enabled them 20
provide The army al all points, ard in orer
season, with all that was required for The
most efficient service.
il is but an act Of justice 10 declare, tina,
the officers in charge of The several execu-
live bureaus, all under the immediate eye
and supervision of The Secretary Of War,
performed their respective duties with abili-
ty, energy, aud efficiency. They have reap
ed less Of the glory Of the war, not having
been personally exposed 10 lis peris in bat
tie, than their companions in arms but with
out their forecast, efficient aid, and eo>opera-
lion, those in the field would not have been
provided with The ample means they posses
sed OF achieving for themselves and their
country The uniading honors which they have
won for both.
When all these facts are considered, il
may cease 20 be matter Of so much amaze
ment abroad how il happened that our noble
army in Mckee, regulars and volunteers,
were victorious upon every battlefield, how
ever fearful The odds against them.
The war with Mexico has thus fully devel-
oped the capacity OF republican governments
10 prosecute successfully just and necessa-
ry foreign war with all the vigor usually al
Iributed 10 more arbitrary forms of govern
ment. 1t has been usual foI writer's on pub
lie law 10 impute TO republics wan: ofthat
unity, concentration Of purpose, and vigor Of
which are generally admitted 10
belong 10 the monarchical and arisfocratic
forms; and this feature Of popular govern
ment has been supposed 10 display itself
more particularly in the conduct oil war
carried on in an enemy's territory. The
war with Great Britain in 1912, WAS TO a
great extent confined within our own limits
and shed but little light on this subject. But
the war which we have Just closed by an hon.
orable peace, evinces beyond all doubt, that
popular representative government is equal
10 any emergency which is likely 10 arise in
The affairs Of a nation.
The war with Mexico has developed most
strikingy and conspicuously another feature
in our institutions. ltis, that without cost 10
the government or danger 10 our liberties,
We have in the bosom Of our society OF free
men, available in a just and necessary war:
virtually standing army Of two millions Of
armed cilizen-solGers, such as fought the
battles of Mexico.
But our military strength does moi consist
alone in our capacity for extended and sue
cessiul operations on land. The navy is an
important srD Of The national defence. If
the services of the navy were not so brilliant
rs those Of the army in the late war with
Mexico, il was because they had 10 enemy
10 II eel on their own element. While the
army had al opportunity Of performing more
conspicuous service, the navy largely par
ticipated in the conduct OF The war. Both
branches ofthe service performed their whole
duty 10 The country.
For The able and gallant services Of the
officers aud men of The navigating indie
pendently as we'll as in Co operation with our
iroops-in the conquest OF The CALIFORNIA; The
capture Of Vera Cruz, and the seizure and
occupation Of other important positions on
The Gulf and Pacific coasts, the highest
praise s due, Their vigilanre, energy and
skill, rendered The most effective service il
excluding munitions Of war and other sup
plies from The enemy, while they secured a
safe entrance for abundant supplies for oul
own army. Our extended commerce wa
nowhere interrupted; and for this immuni
ty from the evils Of war, the Country is in
dehled 10 Ike navy.
High praise is due 10 The officers Of ih,
several executive bureaus, navy yards, ant
stations connected with The service, all unde
tie immediate direction of the Secretary o
ofihe Navy. for The industry, foresight, ant
energy with which everything was direcle,
: and furnished to give efficiency 10 that brancl