Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-03-03

this can be accomplished within the term OF another
twclycmon,h Why, then, organize new regiments
while the existing are, and destined TO remain
mere skeletons The purpose is plain. The regi-
to be raised rather differed Tor no other
end or AIM but to increase the patronage OF the Exec
utive to enable ii to reward hungry pnrtisnns, or pu
chase.ncw ones, by prodgal distribution OF nnkInnd
cmolumcnts. How will these regiments be oiiicefcu
Will the higher commands be rendered to genltiiG,
OF military education and experience WIN Ial,,il"ii
service in Florida, or in this Mexican war, De III,
by fair promotion He that would know iron, c
class these officers will be taken needs bul cons AMI 7
records Of the War Office or the last TWO r from,
look the hordes OF conorauts that och ni'i or
the four quarters OF the Union, at every ;
mcnation OF the army and are even now tol 'ssnj
the heels of men in authority, ana grasp''S io' pay u
ratons know there are among the npPlCHh,s pi"'r,
honorable intelligent men, men VINO woulu 40 creut
70 INV service any profession But what are the mass
of these Bobads Idle, debauchcd oaeis VINO, EEL
ing no vocation for labor, and having cApcrImenlally
moved their incapaCy To Ito auglt better, conceive
Themselves TO be gifted with military genius, ana
charged with mission to destroy and lay waste what
creative nature and human industry have produced
poitical lack pudngs whose success III party strata
gen, has inspired them with lofty notions OF their own
abilities in military strategy unkcmpt, uIshaNen cox
combs microscopic martIasts. ruCuent ON hunhs
ycrlan uvergrnNn luvenals, burly thrasonlc Anakl,
with an air that reminds one OF the giants chant III
the table
Fee faw FUN!
/ smell the blood of Mexican!
Dead or live will have some!
Truly, Mr.. Chairman can say, with the poor
young prince
My cyesarc out,
Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men.
OF such cheap stuff as this chiefly made the self
pufld "citizci- SOLDIER, pscudohcrocs OF this Mexican
war, whom blinded party zeal permits to isurp rank
and honos denied to the wiser and better men, whose
courage and skill, and heroic scdcvotiou, have cna-
hlcd the avenurcrs who have snpplantcd cn to reap
transient harvest Of false glory, that as Ill becomes
the wearers as borrowed pumcs the jackdaw. Brute
indeed thrsp InuuhX uainutnS have |
see no reason why they should not RistIng them
selves they risk little, and vaiuing their own lives at
nothing, they estimate them at Just what they are
worth.
have touched upon point to which the attention
of the American public has been by no means MS
strongly drawn as It's Importance demands. refer to
the injustice with which the officers o the regular
my have been treated. Not only have they been de-
MED the promotion to which experience and faithful
service had entitled them but 1t has been the studied
effort OF the Administration, and the party That ss-
it deprive them OF the credit which justly be-
longs them for the brilliant successes that have
crowned our military operations in Mexico, by ascrlb-
ing to the animal courage OF the volunteers and
new raised regiments which were III tar greater de-
gree due the skill and intelligence ct the educated
gentleman OF the regular army, toy whom the most I'M
portant movements were directed or advised. ! am
disposed to question the patriotism or the vaIor OF
the volunteers. The American people have suili-
ccnty exhibited these qualities ON other aud less
equvocal fields, and have no doubt they will again
be displayed III still more heroic forms. whenever
higher motive and worthcr cause shall demand their
exercise.
But fear the noble sentiment of patriotism has
been two much alleged by other impulses besides
sense OF duty to our country. What was there, IN
fact, To call forth any special enthusiasm at patriotic
feeling How had our country's honor been tansi
ed, save by the act OF her own rulers What Amcr-
can hearth had been threatened with dcsoiaon, what
fields mcnaced with Mexican invasion So tar as the
Rescue OF our gallant army from the critical position III
which ii had been placed, not as believe, 10y any err
oi Judgment in the brave and wise who led it,,
but by the express, though unconstitutional order of
the Cabinet so far as the protection OF the country
against the serious evils which, both immediate and
indirect consequences, would have resulted from the
sacrifice OF that army far as the conduct OF the
~ lneers has been prompted by such considerations,
II has been emlnently prascwouhy. But beyond this
fear there is little that Christian or a nla
approve, little that wise statesman would desire to
cherish. II you subtract from the impulses OF those
who have eagerly rushed to the field the hope OF
military lame and perhaps OF political advancement
as It's consequence, the passion for the romance OF dan
ger The love oi daring enterprise. and the expectation
OF wild adventure in those strange and distant ciines
which the historians OF the Internal exploits OF Cortcz
have made classic ground, you will, in TOO many nsan-
ces have little lett but that savage thirst Of blood,
which eighteen centuries ot Christian teachings have
not yet been able TO eradicate from the human breast
But credtabc as are our recent victories to the brav-
cry OF our troops, they far more important 10
national safety and rcnOwn as furnishing to the world
evidence that the highest order OF stratcgcal talent
exists among Us, and that our system OF military cdu-
cation is able to produce accomplished corps OF
officers as the best regulated European professional
schools.
The disposition to withhold from the regular officers
the praise and the rewards to which they justly
entitled Is not an accident, not a mere matter OF per-
sola iecing with the members Of the present Cabinet
bul II is one among the many evidences OF design,
which has been long entertained hy certain party, 10
demOrdti-e the army break down its esprit de cOIjS
abolish tue military academy and convert the militia
~ establishment Into an engine oi political corruptIOn
The army, as formerly organized, conservative
In It's character and influence suit the views OF the
destructive school. Education, subofdination, dsci
PINE permanent tenure OF office, formidable OBJ
stacles TO the progress OF modern nocracy and
among other " reforms" which will signalze the tn
m Of Nyil lac a he
school at West Point, rotation in Office IN the military
service and the establishment Of the principle that po-
ltcal s,bseryicncy is the only route To military prefer
ment. The Introduction ui similar innovations into
the navy is somewhat more difficult, but is not i'm
practicable even there and in European war
should require increase OF Our marIur, the oldest
commodore may very probably find himself superseded
by New ok pilot, or an amateur captain OF Il pm
vate yacht.
know as little of the grounds on which the Adj
mlnsraon has thought proper to take away onr-laii
the effective strength OF the army in Mexico, by re-
calling It's accomplished commander, as do OF those
on which the Executive chose 10 give double strength
and vigor 10 the Mexican forces by restoring them
their abest general and therefore however strong my
impressions, will not now pronounce Judmcn before
hand on the propricty OF that act. THIS much how
ever, may safely say, that Cabinet, which has not
had the generosity to bcstnw upon General Scott a
single personal compliment tor The greatest military
achievement OF tins generations single word 81 pras.
on the unrlvalcd genius displayed IN the great
blnatons winch alone rendered the prowcsS OF our
troops available and which have commanded the UNI
bounded admiration oi the abcst living captains, eS-
hlblis spirit Oi !lberality towards Il eminent and
deserving fellow citizen, which well accoris with the
injustice Of lis policy towards Mexico.