Saturday morning visitor., 1848-12-23

strength of our institutions has not onl
been displayed in the value and skill ,
our troops engaged in active service i
the field, but in an organization of thos
executive branches which were charge
with The general direction and conduct {
the war.
While too great praise cannot be be
slowed upon the officers and men VIII
fought our battles, yet il would be unins
10 withhold from those officers, necessari
y stationed at home, who were CHARGE
with the duty of furnishing the army il
proper times, and at proper places, will
all the munitions Of war, and other sup
plies necessary 10 make it efiectual, III,
commendation 10 which they are entitled
The credit due to this class of officers i,
the greater, when il is considered that n,
army in ancient or modern ii mes was ev,
er better appointed, or pro, ided, thrn oul
army in Mexico.
Operating i'll an enelny's country, re
moved 1000 miles from the seat of tht
Federal Government, lis different corp,
spread over a vast extent Of territory
hundreds and even thousands of miles a.
part from each other, nothing short of The
undying vigilance and extraordinary ener.
gy of these officers, could have enabled
them to provide The army at all points, ant
in proper season, with all that was requi-
red for the most efficient service.
1t Is but an act Of justice 10 declare hat
the officers in charge of the Sc, eraI Tx.
tcuive bureaus, all under the immediate
eye and supervision of the Secretary oI
War, performed their respective duties
with ability, energy and efficiency.
They have reaped less OF the glory oI
the war, not having been personally eN-
posed To its peris in battle, than their
companions in arms; but without their
forecast, efficient aid and eo-operaton,
those in the field would not have Been pro-
'ded With tie ample means they possess
ed, Of achieving for themselves and their
country, un:tding hono:s, won for both.
When all these facts. are considered, il
may cease 10 be matter OF so much a.
mazemeni, how II happened that our no.
ble army in Mexico, regulars aud volun-
teers, were victorious upon every battle
field, however fearful the odds against
them.
The war with Nexic has TINS fully de-
veloped the capacity Of Republican Gov
ernmentS 10 prosecute successfully, a ne
cessary foreign war, with all the vIeor u
snaliy attributed 10 more arbitrary forms
Of government. 1t has been usual Tor
Y riIers OIL public law, to impute 10 repub-
lies want uf that anity and concentration
of purpose, and vigor of execution, which
are generally admitted TO belong Ia the
and arislocralical forms and
Chs feature OF popular government has
been supposed 10 display itself more par
licularly in the conduct of Il war carriSd
OIL in an euemy'S country.
The war with Mexico has developed
most strong ly and Spicuuusly another
feature Of our institutions. Ii is that, !,
Without cost 10 the government, or dan
gers 10 our liberty, we have, in the bosom
Of our country, ireenen avsilable ina just
and necessary war, particularly a stand
ing army OF two millions Of armed citizen
soldiers such as fought the battles Of
Mexico.
Bat our military strength does nnt con
>iSt alone in our capacity Tor extended and
successful operations on land. The Ma
W is AN indis penSable arm of the national
defence. If the ser> ices OF the navy
" ere not so brilliant as those al the army
in the late war with Mexico, il Was be-
rause they had no enemy TO meet ON their
awn element while the army having OPP
portuniIy OF performing more eOnsplcu-
Dus services, performed their whole duty
10 the country. For the al lie and gallant
service of the officers and men Of the Ma
" ,.acting independently, as " ell as in CO.
operating with our troops in the conquest
Of the CALIFORNIA;, the capture Of Vera
Cruz, and the seizure and occupation of
nther important positions on the Gulf and
Pacific coast, the highest praise Is due
Their vigilance, energy and skill, render
ell the most effective service, in excluding
The munitions of war and o;her supplies
from the enemy, while they secured a sale
entrance for abundant supplies for their
own army. Our extended commerce was
no where interrupted, and fur this immu-
nifty, from the evils Of war, the country
is indebted Ia the navy.
High praise is due TO the officers of
The several Executive bureaus. navy yards
and stations connected with the ser, ice,
all under the immediate direction of the
Secretary Of the Navy, for the industry,
foresight and energy with which every
hing was directed and furnished, 10 giye
efficiency to that branch of the service
While this harmony existed in directing
Ihe preparation Of the navy, of the army,
here was concert OF action and purpose
between the heads Of the two arms ofthe
service,
BY lhs orders which were rom time