Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-03-02


the House to any Admiral, while the navy of Eng
land was in such bad hands"
1t seems to me that this is the only consistent
course of action for those who disapprove of this
war, in all its stages and aspects and in every
possible way in which it can be presented |
hold that that is the only consistent ground for
those who maintain that this war has been wrong
i'll its beginning, 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 OBJ.
lects. Entertaining such view of duty on this
occasion, [ cannot give thanks to ANYBODY for
any agency in this war, except such agency as
tends to bring it to an immediate termination
Any judicious efforts, here or elsewhere to brine
this war to close-to speedy and honorable
close, will command,my earnest and most cordial
thanks; but have no thanks to offer those who
have been employed in the prosecution of war
which believe to be thus unjust from its com
mencement. Nor can | accede to another PROP
osition which have heard maintained with
good deal of energy here and esewhere-that
an officer Of the army or navy has no discretion
that he is a mere machine of the Adminstra-
tion-that it is to say, "go,' and he goeth;
"come," and he comcth without attaching any
share of moral responsibility for the character
of the transaction in which he is engaged do
not believe in any such doctrine | do not be-
eve that officers Of the army or navy are such
machines; or that, by receiving commissions in
either service they dvest themselves of all res
possibility for the character of the transactions
in which they may be engaged in pursuance of
the orders which they receive. 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 gentleman who thus represents the officers
Of the army as irresponsible machines. 1t is
found in the history of the Earl of Eilngham, a
distinguished officer of the British army, and a
member of the House of Peers. He was the
colonel of a regiment in he British service.
when he received orders to Join the army about
to embark for America, and fight the rebels at
Charleston and Camden. His conduct on that
occasion is worthy Of all commentator; and
would to God that we had had some one Whc.
lnherting a portion Of his spirit, when the order
Of this Administration was issued, directing the
advance Of the troops to the Rio Grande, void
have followed so llIustrlous an example. The
story is briefly told in the Annual Register" for
the year l176, and, with the indulgence Of the
Senate, | will read 1t;
The Earl of Bingham whose military gen
Jus had led him when youth into the army, and
had since prompted him to rpen theory into eX-
perience wherever real service was to be found,
by acting as a volunteer in the war between the
Russians and the Turks, had, since his return,
as Peer in Parliament, uniformly opposed the
whole system of measures pursued against the
Americans; and finding, at length, that the reg-
ment in which he served was intended Tor the
American service thought it Inconsistent with
his character, and unbecoming 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 Secretary at War, in which, having declared
the cheerluness with which he would sacrifice
his life and fortune in support OF the safety, hon-
or. aud dignity of his Malestys crown and per-
son, he observed, that the same principles which
had inspired him with these unaIterable sent-
ments of duty and affection to the King, would
not suffer him to be instrumental in depriging
any part of his people of those liberties, which
form the best security for their fidelity and ODE
dence to his Government lie expressed the
deepest regret and greatest modification at being
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 ell
treated that he might be allowed to retain his
rank in the army, that whenever the envy or am
bition of foreign Powers should require it, ne
might be enabled to serve his Majesty and his
country in that way, in which, of all others, he
thought himself best calculated 10 do it with
effect"
That was the course taken by that distinguish
ed officer of the British army, when he received
orders from the Crown to embark on a service
which did not commend itself to his moral sent-
ments If there could have been found within
the ranks of the American army, an officer en-
tertaining such exalted ideas of duty and digni-
ty as that, who did not merge the man in the Of
Gcer, and who could have told the Admnstra-
ton that he respected his own convictions of
truth and duty, aud could not yield obedience to
an arbitrary mandate, would have thanked him
and thanked God that he had given us such
man. But ] can record no vote Of thanks to
any of the Ulcers of this army, for having been
engaged in a contest which every feeling of my
heart, and every dictate of my judgment CON
dennis, The resolution speaks Of glory. That
glory look upon as our shame, w nave won
no glory in this war which desire to share, for
it has been acquired in cause which believe
has not been sustained by justice; and there can
be no glory without Justice, There can be Gilt
ter and there can be glare, but no glory separate
from truth, righteousness, and justice; and be-
lievng that the whole of this transaction, from
beginning to end, instead of adding anything to
our national glory, has detracted from it-that,
instead Of clothing our national character with
Just renown, it has rendered our name shame
and reproach tc the friends Of free principles,
wherever the the history of our doings in Mexi-
co are Known must, as one humble indyid-
ual, withhold, now and forever, any vote of thanks
or appreciation to those who have been instru-
mental in carrying on the war.
Mr.. BUTLER | am somewhat astonished at
the views taken by the gentleman from New
Hampshire, Yet perhaps, ought not to be az
tonished this morning at the views which he has
expressed, when refer to the peculiar opinions
which he introduced on another subject, few
days since. We are now making materials ror
history; and the gentleman from New Hamp-
Al. 4