The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-12-19

4
iions abrbad, constitute the true permanent
policy Of our country. War, the scourge Of
nations, sometimes becomes inevitable, but
! il is always 10 be avoided when il can be
done consistently with the right and honor
Of the nation, s sl 8
! One Of The most important results Of the
war into which we were recently forced
with neiglboring nation, is the demonstra-
tion il has afforded Of lae military strength
of our country. Before The late war with
Mexico, European ard other foreign powers,
entertained imperfect and erroneous views
of our physical strength as nation, and Of
uur ability TO prosecute &ar--aud a war
Pwaged out of our own county. They saw
that our standing army on the peace esiab-
lshm N did not exceed 10000 men. Ac-
cus,omed themselves, to Rantaln in peace,
l. re siaading armies for The protection Of
thrones against their own subjects, as well as
against ioreign enemies, they had not con-
ceived that il was possible for nation with
out such I'm army, well disciplined ard Of
long service, 10 wage war SUCCESSFULLY
They held in low repute our militia, and
were far from regarding them as an effective
flaee, unless il might be Or temporary de-
forSive operations when invaded On our own
soil. Tie event of the late war with Mex
Ico, have mol only undeceived them but have
rmoyed erroneous impressions which have
prevailed TO some extent, even among a.
portion pf tur own counlry,ccn. That wa,
Las demonstrated tina, upon the breaking out
OF hosliliies not anticipated, and for which
no previous preparation had been made, a
volunteer Amy of citizens soldiers equal to
veteran troops, and in Numbers equal to any
emergency, can IN shot period be brought
into ,lle field. Unlike what would have oc-
cured in any other cuua,ry, we we're under
no necessity OF reasrting 10 conscrpiions.--
On the contrary, such was the number ofI
volunteers who pa!rotically rendered their
services, that the chief difficulty was in ma
king selections and determining who should
rema in at home. Our citizen soldiers are
unlike those drawn from The population of
any other country. They are composed in
discriminatory Of all professions and pursuits;
Of farmers, lawyers, physicians, merchants,
manufactures, mechanics and laborers; and
thus not only among the officers, but the
private soldiers in the rank. Our citizen
soldiers are unlike those of any other coun.
Try in other resSects. They are armed, and
hive been accustomed from Their youth up
to handle and use fire arms; and large
rsrlvn of them, especially in the western
and more newly settled States are expert
nalksman. They are men who have arepu-
.alion to maintain at home By their good con-
duct in the field, and they are intelligent,
aud there is an individuality of character
which is found in Tic ranks of no other or.
9my.
The war With Mexico has demonstrated
not liy the ability Of tic governmen TO or
sanizs Il numerous army upon a sudden
emergency, but also TO provide il with all
The munitions aud necessary supplies with
dispatch, convenience and ease, and to di-
rect its opel ons with efficiency Tho
.t.englh OF our institutions has not only been
displayed in the yalor and skill Of our troops
engaged in active service in the field, bur in
,r organization of those executive branches
which were charged with the general direc-
ton and conduc, Of lie war.
While too great praise cannot be bestowed
upon the officers and men who fought our
battles, i, would be unjust to Withhold from
those officers necessarily stationed at home
who we're charged with the duty Of furnish
ing the army. in proper time and at proper
places, with all the munitions Of war and
other supplies, necessary 10 make il Efficient,
the commendaiion which they are entitled.
The credit due TO this class ofour officers is
The greater, when it is considered that no
army in ancient or modern times was ever
better appointed or provided than our army in
Mexico. Operating in an enemy's country.
removed 1000 miles from The seat Of the fed
eral government, its different CORPS spread
over vast extent ofterritory, hundreds, and
even thousands, Of miles apart from each
other, noihing short OF the untiring vigilence
and extraordinary energy Of these officrs
could have enabled them to provide the ar
nv, at all points, and in proper season. with
ali that was required for tile mos, efficient
service. s.a
Ii IS but an ACT of justice 10 declare that
lhe officers in charge Of the several Execu-
i've Bureaus, all under the immediate eye
and supervision of the Secretary Of War,
performed their respective duties with abiii-
iy, energy, and efficiency.
They have reaped less Of the glory of The
war moi having been personally exposed TO
i,s perils in battle, than their companions in
arms bu, withodt their forecast, eficienl
aid and cooperation. those in The field would
not have been provided with the ample
means they possessed, Of achieving for them,
selves and their country, the unfading hon