The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-03-04

siStent course Oh acuon Tor those who dsap
prove OF this war, in all its stages and as
poets, and in every possible way in which
1t can be presented. l hold that that is the
only consistent ground for those who main.
tain that this war has been wrong in its be-
ginning, wrong in its prosecution, wrong in
the objects to which it looks, and wrong in
the means by which it is hoped to attain
those objects. Entertaining such view
OF duty on this occasion, | cannot give
thanks to any body for any agency in this
war, except such agency as tends to bring
II 10 an immediate termination. Anv ind;
cious efforts, here or elsewhere, to bring this
war 10 close--to speedy and honorable
close--wll command my earnest and most
cordial thanks; but have no thanks 10
offer those who have been employed in the
prosecution Of war which | believe TO he
thus unjust from its commencement. Nor
can accede to another proposition which |
heard maintained with good deal of ener.
gy here and elsewhere-that an officer OF
the army or navy has no discretion-tbat
he is mere machine Of the Administers.
tion-that it is to say, "go," and he goeth
''come, and he cometh, without attaching
to himself any share Of moral responsible.
ty for the character Of the transaction in
which he il engaged. do not believe in
any such doctrine. | do not believe thai
officers OF the army or navy are such ma.
chimes; or that by receiving commissions
in either service, they divest themselves OF
all responsibility for the character of the
transactions in which they may be engaged
in pursuance Of the orders which they re-
ceived. There is one bright page in the
history of the English army, which | think,
might, with great propriety, be commended
to the thoughtful consideration of every gen.
tleman who thus represents the officers Of
the array as irresponsible machines. Ii is
found in the history Of the Earl of Efing.
ham, distinguished officer of the British
army, and anlember Of the House Of Peers.
lie was the colonel Of regiment in the
British service, when he received orders TO
Join the army about TO embark for America.
and fight the rebels at Charlestown and
Camden. HIS conduct on that occasion
was worthy Of all COMMUNICATION; and
would TO God, that We had some one, who.
inheritlng portion Of his spirit, when the
order of this Administration was issued, di-
recting the advance Of the tfoops to the Rio
Grande, would have followed so illustrious
an example! The story briefly told in the
Annual Register" for the year 1776. and,
with the indulgence Of the Senate, | will
read il
The Earl Of Eflingham, whose military
genius had led him, when youth, into the
army, and had since prompted him to rpen
theory into experience wherever real ser.
vice was to be found, by acting as a volun-
teer IN the war between the Russians and
the Turks, had, since his return, as a Peer
in Parliament, uniformly opposed the whole
system uf mcdsurs pursued against .hs
Americans; and finding, at length, that the
regiment in which he served was intended
for the American service, thought it incon.
slstent with his character, and unbecoming
OF his dignity, TO enforce measures with his
sword, which he had so utterly condemned
in his legislative capacity. He accordingly
wrote letter Of resignation to the Secreta-
ry of war, in which, having declared the
cheerfulness with which he would sacrifice
his life and fortune in support Of the safety,
honor and dignity Of his Maiestys crown
and person, he observed, that the same prin-
ciples which had inspired him with these
unalterable sentiments of duty and affection
to the King would not suffer him to be in.
strumental in depriving any part Of his PEG.
pie, OF those liberties, which form the best
security for their fidelity and obedience to
his Government. He expressed the deep.
est regret and greatest modification at be.
ing obliged to quit profession which had
been that of his ancestors for many ages,
to the study and practice of which, from
childhood, his past life had been applied,
and his future, Intentionally dedicated and
that as he waived the advantage which the
custom of the service entitled him to, the
right of selling what he had bought, he en-
treated that he might be allowed to retain
his rank in the army, that whenever the
envy or ambition of Foreign Powers should
require it, he might be enabled to serve his
Majesty and his country in that way in
which, OF all Others, he thought himself bes,
calculated TO do it with effect"
That was the course taken by that distin.
guished officer of the British army, when
he received orders from the Crown to en-
bark on service which did not commend
itself to his moral sentiments. If there
could nave been found within the ranks o.
the American army, an officer entertain
ing such exalted ideas Of duty and dignity
as that, who did not merge the man in the
officer. and who could have told ths al
ministration that he respected his own con
victions of truth and duty, and could no
yield obedience to an arbitrary mandate,
would have thanked him and thanked Goo
that he had given us such a man. But
can record no vote of thanks to any Of the
officers Of this army, for having been EN-
gagged in a contest which every feeling o
nv heart and every dictate Of my judgment
condemns. The resolution speaks Of glory
That glory look upon as our shame! W.
have won no glory in this war which de
sire to share, for it has been acquired in I
cause which believe has not been sustaine'
by Justice and there can be no glory with
out Justice. There can be glitter, and Their
can be glare, but no glory separate frofl
truth, righteousness, and justice; and be
lieving that the whole CT this transaction
from beginning to end, instead Of addinl
anything to our national glory, has detrao'
ed from it-that instead Of clothing our ma
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