Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-12-15

on our own soil.
The events of the late war with Mexico have
not only undeceved Them, but have removed er-
roueous impressions which have prevailed TO
some extent, even among a portion Of our own
countrymen. That war has demonstrated, that
upon the breaking out of hosliIes not antc-
pated, and for which no previous preparation
had been made, a volunteer army OF citizen SOL
diers, equal to veteran troops, and, in numbers,
equal TO any emergency, can in a short period
be brought into the field. Unlike what would
have occurred in any other country, we were
under no. necessity of resorIing TO drafts or con.
scriplions. On the contrary, such was the num-
Der of volunteers who palriotcally rendered
their services, that the chief difficulty was in
making selections, and determining who should
be disappointed andcompelled 10 remain al home.
Our cilizen soldiers are unlike those drawn from
the population Of any other country. They are
composed indiscriminately all Professions and
pursuils-of farmers, lawyers, physicians, mer-
chants, manufacturers, mechanics, and labOrers
and this not only among the officers, but the
private soldiers in the ranks.
Our citizen soldiers are unlike the soldiers Of
any other country in ether respects. They are
armed, aud have been accustomed from their
youth up to handle aud use fire arms, and large
proportion Of them, especially in the Western
and more newly settled States, are expert marks
men. They are men who have a reputation to
maintain at home BY their good conduct in the
field. They are intelligent, and there is an in
vividuaily of character which is found in the
ranks Of no other army. In battle, each private
man as well as every officer fights not on for
his country, but for glory and distinction among
his fellow cilizens when he shall return 10 civil life.
The war with Mexico has demonstrated not
only the ability of the government to organize
a numerous army upon sudden call, but also to
provide it with all the munitions and necessary
supplies, with dispatch, convenience and ease,
and 10 direct It's operations with eitciency.-
The strength Of our institutions has not only
been displayed in the valor and skill Of our
troops engaged in active service in the field, but
in the organization of those executive branches
which were charged with the general direction
aud conduct of thewar While too great praise
cannot be bestowed upon the officers and the
men who fought our battles, it would be unjust
TO withhold from those officers necessarily sta.
Toned al home who were charged with the duty
Of furnishing the army, in proper time and at
proper places, with all the munitions Of war and
other supplies necessary 10 make it efficient, the
commentator to which they are entitled. The
credtd due TO this class of our olicersis the great
er when ii is considered that no army in ancient
or modern times was ever better appointed or
provided than our army in Mexico. Operating
in an en6my's counry-removed two thousand
miles from the seatol the federal government, its
different corps spread over vast extent Of terri.
Tory, hundreds and even thousands ofmies apart
from each other, nothing short of the unIirng
vigilance and extraordinary energy OF these Of
fcers could have enabled themt oprovidethe ar
my at all points, and in proper season, with all
that was required for the most efficient service.
1t is but an act Of justice TO declare that the
officers in charge of the several executive bu-
reaus, all under the immediate eye and supervi-
sion Of the Secretary Of War, performed their
respective duties with ability, energy and eff
cheney. They have reaped less Of the glory of
The war, not having been personally exposed to
its perlS in battle like their companions in arms;
bat without their forecast efficient aid and co-ope-
ration, those in the field would not have been
provided with that ample means they possessed
of achieving for themselves and thelrcountry, the
unlading honors which they have won for both.
When all these facts are considered, il may
cease TO be matter of so much amazoment
abroad how it happened that our noble army in
Mexico, regulars aud volunteers, were victori-
Gus upon every battle field, however fearful The
odds against them.
The war in Mexico has thus fully developed
The capacity of republican governments to pros
ecute successfully just and necessary foreign
war, with all the vigor usually attributed to more
arbitrary forms of government. 1t has been
usual for writer's on public law 10 impute 10 re-
publics want of that unity and concentration
of purpose, and vigor of execution, which are
generally admitted 10 belong to the monarchical
and aristocla attic forms; and this feature Of pop
uIar government has been supposed TO display
itself more particularly in the conduct Of a war
carried on in an enemy's territory.
The war with Mexico has developed most
strikingly and conspicueusly another feature in
oar institutions. Ii is, that without cost to the
government or danger 10 our liberties, we have
in the bosom Of our society Of frsemen, availa-
bic in Just and necessary war, virtual y STAN
ding army of TWO millions Of armed citizen SOL
diers, such as fought the battles Of Mexico.
But our military strength does not consist a.
lone in our capacity for extended and successful
operations on land. The navy is an important
arm of the national defence. If the services OF
the navy were not so brilliant as those of the
army in the late war in Mexico, il was because
they had no enemy 10 meet on their own ele-
ment. While the army had an opportunity OF
performing more conspicuous service, the navy
largely participated in the conduct of the war.
Both branches of the service performed their
whole duty 10 the country. For the able and
gallant services of The officers and men of the
navy, acting independently as we'll as in coop
eralon with our troops ip the conquests of the
Caifornias, the capture of Vera Cruz, and oI
the seizure and occupation Of other important
positions on the Gulf and Pacific COASTS
The highest praise is due.
Their vigilance. energy and skill rendered the
more effective service in excluding munitions o
war and other supplies from the enemy, while
they secured u safe entrance for abundant sup
plies for their own army. Our extended com.