Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-13

inations; tranquility at home and peaceful
relations abroad constitute the true perma
nent policy Of our Country. War, tn
scourge Of nations, sometimes become
inevitable, but is always to be uvoide,
when it can be consistently with the right
aud the honor Of the nation.
One Of the most important results Of The
war into which we were recently fo-cee
with a neighboring nation, is the demon
stration it has afforded of the military
strength Of our country. Before the late
war with Mexico. European and other
Foreign powers entersained imperfect and
erroneous views Of our physical strength
as a nation, and of our ability 10 prosecute
war, and especially war waged out of
our own country. They saw that our
standing army on the pence establishment
did not exceed 10000 men. Accustomed
themselves 10 maintain in peace large
standing armies for the protection of their
thrones. against their own subjects as well
rs against foreign enemies, they had not
conceived the idea that it was possible for
a nation without such an army. well disci.
|plned and Of long servicess 10 wage war
successfully. They held in low repute our
militia. and were far from regarding them
as an effective force, unless II might be for
Temporary defensive operations when lnva-
lded on our own soil. The events of the
late war with Mexico have not only unde.
ceived Them. but have removed erroneous
impressions which have prevailed to some
extent even among portion Of our own
1 -
ted that on the breaking out of hosilities
moi anticipated and for which no previous
preparation had been made, a volunteer ar
my Of citizen soldiers equal TO veteran
troops, and in numbers equal TO any emer-
gency. can in short period be brought IN
to the field. Unlike what would have oc-
CURED 10 any other country. we were un-
| der no necessity OF resorting to drafts or
conscriplions. On the contrary, such was
the number Of volunteers who periodically
rendered their services, that the chief diff
fculty was in making selections and deter
mining who should be disappointed and be
compelled to remain ut home. Our citizen
soldiers are unlike those drawn from the
population of any other country. They
are composed indiscriminately Of all pro-
fessions and pursuits; OF farmers. lawyers.
I phys ysicians, merchants. manufacturers, me.
chanics, and laborers. This. not only
among the officers, but among the private
soldiers in the ranks. Our citizen soldiers
are unlike those Of any other country in
o,her respects. They are armed. and have
been accustomed from their youth up TO
handle and use firearms; and large por-
ton Of them, especially in the western and
more newly settled Stales, are exper,
marksmen. They are men who have
reputation to mainlain at home by their
good conduct in the field. They are intel
ligent. and there is lnvincibili:y Of charac-
ter which is found in the ranks of no other
army. In battle. each private man, as
well as every officer, fights, not only for
his country, but for glory and distinction
among his fellow citizens when he shall
return TO civil life.
The war with Mexico has demonstrated
not only the ability Of the Government to
organize numerous army upon sudden
call, but also 10 provide it with all the nv.
nitions and necessary supplies with dis.
patch, convenience and ease, 10 direct its
operations with efficiency. The strength
of our institutions has been mol only dis
PLAYED 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 gen.
eral direction and conduct Of the war
While too much praise canno: be bestowed
upon the officers and men who fought our
battles, 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 times, and
in propsr-elaces, with all the munitions Of
war andr6fher supplies, so necessary to
make it efficient, the commendation to
which they are entitled. The credi. due
to this class of our officers is greater
when it is considered that no army in an
cient or modern times was never better np-
pointed or provided than our army in Mex
leo. Operating in an enemy's country,
removed two thousand miles from the seat
of the Federal Government. its different
corps spread over vast extent Of terrific
ry, hundreds and even thousands of miles
apart from each other, nothing short OF
the untiring vigilance and extraordinary
energy of their officers could have enabled
them to provide the army at all points, and
in proper season, with all that was requir-
ed for the most efficient service.
L 1t is but an act Of justice to declare that
the officers in charge of the several exec
utive bureaus. all under the immediate eye
and supervision Of the Secretary Of War.
performed their respective duties with abil-
tity. energy, and efficiency. They have
reaped less of the glory Of the war. not
having been personally exposed TO its per-
lis in battle,ihan their companions IN arms;
but without their forecast, efficient aid.
and cooperation, those in the field would
mot hnve been provided with the ample
means they possessed of achieving for
themselves and their country the unfading
honors which they have won for both.
When all these facts are considered, il
may cease to be matter Of so much
amazement abroad how it happened tha,
our noble army in Mexico. regulars and
volunteers, were victorious upon every
battlefield, however fearful the odds
against them.
The War with Mexico has thus fully
developed the capacity Of republican gov
ernments to prosecute successfully jus
and necessary foreign war with all the Wig