Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-12-08

even among portion Of our own coun-
irymen. That war has demonstrates that
upon the breaking out OF hostilitics not an.
ticipated, and for which no previous prepar.
alton had been made, volunteer army Of
citizen soldiers equal TO veteran troops, aud
in numbers equal to any emergency, can ia
a short period he brought into the field
Unlike what would have occurred in any
other country, we were under no necessity
Of resorting to draughts, or conscriptions
On the contrary, such was the number of
volunteers who periodically rendered their
services, that the chief difficulty was in
making selections and determining who
should be disappointed aud compelled to re-
main at home. Our citizen-soldiers are
unlike those drawn from the population Of
any other country They are composed
indscrimnateIy Of all professions and pur.
suits OF farmers, lawyers, physicians, mer-
charts, manufacturers, mechanics, aud Ia.
borers and this, not only among the Off
GERS, but the private soldiers in the ranks.
Our ciiizen.soldiers are unlike those of any
other country in other respects. They are
armed, aud have been accustomed from
their youth up, to handle and use firearms;
and large proportion Of them, especially
in the western and more newly settled
States, are expert marksmen. They are
men who have reputation 10 maintain at
home by their good conduct in the field.
They are intelligent, and there is an indi.
yidualty Of character 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 a
numerous army upon sudden call, but also TO
provide it with all the munitions and necessary
supplies with dispatch, convenience and ease,
and to direct its operations with efficacy. The
strength Of our institutions has not only been
displayed in the valor and skill Of our troops en-.
gagged in active service in the field but in the
organization of those executive branches which
were charged with the general direction and
conduct of the war. While too great praise
cannot be bestowed upon the officers aud men
who fought our battles, it would be unjust b
withhold from those officers necessarily stationed
at home who were charged with the duty OF fur
nishlng the army in proper time, and at proper
places, with all the munitions Of war and other
supplies so necessary to make it efficient, the
commentator to which they are entitled. The
credit due to this class of our officers is the great
er, when it is considered that no army in ancient
or modern times was ever better appointed OF
provided than our army in Mexico Operating
in an cnemy's country, removed two thousand
miles from the seat of the federal government
its different corps spread over a vast extent OF
territory, hundreds and even thousands Of miles
apart from each other, nothing short Of the un-
firing vigilance and extraordinary energy oil
these officers could have enabled them 10 pro
vide the army at all points, and in proper sea.
son, with all that was required for the most eff.
cient 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 super
vision Of the Secretary of War, performed their
respective duties with ability energy and cicicn.
ey. They have reaped less Of the glory Of war
not having been personally exposed 10 It's perils
/ IN battle, than their companions in arms; but
without their forecast efficient aid and co-opera.
ton, those in the field would not have been pro
yided with the ample means they possessed Of
achieving for themselves and their country tho
uniading honors which they have won for both.
When all these facts arc considered, it ma,
cease TO be u matter OF so much amazemen
abroad how il happened that our noble army il
! Mexico, regulars and volunteers, were yictoriou
upon every battlefield, however fearful the odd
against them.
The war with MIeXico has thus fully deyeopc,
the capacity of republican governments to pros
ecute successfully a Just and necessary foreign
war with all the yigor usually attributed to NOR
arbitrary forms OF government. 1t has beei
usual for writers on public law to imputc to r.
publcs want OF that unity, concentration Q
purpose, and yigor Of execution, which are gen
orally admitted 20 belong to he monarchia an
aristocratic forms; and this feature of popula
government has been supposed to display iiscl
more particularly in the conduct of war car
RED on in an cnemy's territory. The war witt
Great Britain, in 1912, was TO great exten
confined within our own limits, and shed bnt lit
tie light on this subject But the war which W,
have just closed by an honorable peace, evinc G
beyond all doubt that q popular rcpresentaty,
government is equal to any emergency which
likely to arise in the affairs Of nation.
The war with Mexico has developed most STIR
kingly and oonspicuously another feature in on
institutions, 1t is, that without cost TO the gov
eminent or danger to our liberties, VIC have il
the bosom OF our society of ireemen, available
in just and necessary war, virtually standing
army of two millions Of armed ciiizen-soldier.
such as fought the battles of Mexico
But our military strength does not consis
alone in our capacity for extended and success
full operations on lond. The navy is an impoi
tant arm of national defence. If tho services q
the navy were not so brilliant as those Of the NJ
my in the late war with Mexico, it was becaus
they had no enemy to meet on their own elC
ment. While the army had opportunity of pei
forming more conspicuous service, the nav
largely participated in the conduct of the wa
Both branches of the service performed thei
whole duty to the country. For the able am
gallant services of the officers and men of tn
navigating independently as well as in coop