Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-11-08
GENERAL TAYLOR.
Great Barbecue to the Volunteers at Port Hudson
Mississippi.
SPEECH FROM GENERAL TAYLOR.

,ens Of East Fcciana to the returned volunteers-j
The preparations upon scale Of superb liber-
atty and their festivities were conducted with the
greatest proprety. Gen. Taylor's presence diff
fused Joy throughout the vas, assembago. He was
received with an enthusiasm which sprung from
Tho heart. lie was addressed by James III. Muse.
Esq, ON the part of the Florida parishes. We ex-
tract the concluding portion of Mr.. Muses. speech,
and the whole of General Taylor's reply, from the
report Of the Delta.
After noticing many interesting incidents Of the
war, and many illustrations of General Taylor's
kind heartedness, Mr.. Muse concluded in the fol.
lowing words:
In the name, then, not only of nv fellow
zens, as community, but of the fathers and mo-
theirs who had sent their TO fight the battles of
their country. giving them the Spartan command
10 return with honor or not at all, he welcomed
Gen Taylor to the hearts and home of his country
men, YES, General, we are happy to-day to see
you among u.s. We have brought our wives and
ch'idfen out TO behold one who has done so much
lot me honor OF the country. And our children's
children shall remember and praise your great deeds
ana noble victories upon the Banks OF tho Rio
Grande. On the shores of the Pacific and at the
base Of the Rocky Mountains they shall HYMN your
praises and recount your great deeds, as have this
day so imperfectly done the banks of the Msss-
slpp Fear not that the bright pages Won have
added to the nations history will ever be torn
therefrom or that your claims TO the love and graf
lude OF your countrymen will ever fade from their
hearts or memories. Posterity will never cease to
hold you IN grateful recollection until time sha be
no more: and all earthly glory shall sink into the
Tomb Welcome, then, thrice welcome, honored
patriot and soldier, 10 the simple inequalities which
republican people extend to YOU
The speecb of Mr. Nreo ,,,. L, :: 80.
ment, fervent in style, and animated in delivery.
GEN. TAYLOR'S ADDRESS.
Nh Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen 1t is
with feeling of deep embarrassment that attempt
10 reply 10 the eloquent address just delivered in
which feel my humble services have been too WV
laiy portrayed and too highly estimated Durinu
the long period have been in the service Of the
pubic, have endeavored TO keep in view as the
constant o2Ject OF eXertlon, the honor the intcuri
w. and the welfare of my country; and if | have
oeen placed In situations in which was able TO pro-
mole those objects, 1t is attributable rather to the
Jealous aid and energetic co operation of the Gallant
men, both of the regular and volunteer Service
whom 1t has been my good fortune to command.
.nan 10 any superior skill ability on nv part
o 'hem, more than to myself, belongs the plory
OF any results which may have been achieved nm
dor my command
Dut cannot avoid the opportunity, whilst refer
mug " Tue achievements OF our arms, of express
ing my deep conviction of the evils OF war of
which, here as elsewhere, my mind receives daily
anu hourniul proof. Throughout my service, [ as
sure you, the prOudest moments of victory have
oeen darkened and rendered sorrowfu by the reflec
'ion OF 'ne painful occurrences which it produces
OF TIC wives made widows, of parents made child
'esS, Vi Tends Dereft OF those bound to them by the
dearest ties; for the awful results of war are not
confined 10 the bloody scenes of the battle field bn,
dIsease-slow consuming disease-rnore than anv
OF the instruments of war, scatters death anong
thoSe engaged In the trying fatgues and exposures
Of military duty. or those who died in active ser
vice III Mexico, the proportion Of those Gu, down bv
disease 10 those whofe on the battle fields is about
nVe 10 one. For these reasons as a constant wit
ness OF all the stern and painful realities of war
assure you that there is one who rejoces more in
me conclusion OF the war with Mexico now happi
Iy terminated, than do Ff
1t was not from any apprehension Of the dancers
or any dread Of the fatigues and suerngs to which
might be exposed, that 50 warmly desired the
conclusion OF this war; but it was because look
ed upon war as great evil as last resort which
when it can be- honorabIy concluded il il the f1s,
nate :" 'e''''
believed 1t not incompatible with the honor and
interests OF both Republics to terminate this war
And now, that peace has once more smiled unon
our happy land. assure you it is proud and de-
fp
citizens the kind and friendly reception which has
been extended 10 me on this as well as on many a.
'her occasions, on which have had the pleasure of
enjoying the hospitality Of my fellow citizens of
Louisiana. These demonstrations satisfy me that
1t Is acalumny to call Republics ungratefnl. Eve
ry where have the soldiers of the Republic receiv-
co tho need OF popular applause and enjoyed the
KINDNESS OF their felioW-ctizens; but in no State
have they been more handsomely treated than in
our oate OF LOUISIANA, to which my observation has
Deen confined since my return from the war not
having been out of the State except on a yinu visit
to my plantation in Mississippi
The people Of this Stale will compare with anv
IN the world in patriotism and public spirit Their
conduct In the late Mexican war, in rushing to the
aid OF the little army which | had the honor TO
command on the Rio Grande, brings 10 mind the
palro!lsm Of our fathers, when after the battle of
Lexington, they rushed to their country IS standard
from the plough, the workshop the desk, and e.
ven The pulpit, all eager 10 share in the glory and
peril OF defending the nations honor. Such was
the conduct OF the large and gallant force of volun
teers who rushed 10 our rescue on the Rio Grande
And, assure you that it was TO me the most pain
full occurrence of the war that ! was compelled TO
part with that gallant body Of volunteers but it
was inevitable, as The enemy had retired beyond
our reach, into the interior Of Mexico. and we had
not sufficient means Of transportation to follow
them.
Not ueSiH'g 10 Keep theIn IN !nglorlous inactyi-
ty, subject TO the diseases of camp duty preferred
that they should reoin their families and homes.
from which they had torn themselves under the in
fluence of high and patriotic motives. That occs
sisn furnished an additional proof of the fact which
has always been manifest to my mind, that we are
nation of sodiery, possessing, moro than any peo-
pie in the world, The virtues and resources Of
great military nation. And, indeed there has been
more reason to fear that our military spirit would
carry us too far, and impe us to the invasion of our
neighbours territory than that it would fall short of
the defence of our own territory and honor.