Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-13


strength Of our country. Before the late
war with Mexico. European and other
Foreign Powers, entertained imperfect and
erroneous views Of our physical strength
as a nation, and Of our ability to prosecute
war-and a war waged out Of our own
country. They saw that our standing
army OH the Peace Establishment di,i
not exceed 10000 men. Accustomed
themselves, TO maintain in peace, large
standing Armies for the protection OF
thrones against their own subjects, as well
as against foreign enemies. they had not
; conceived that it was possible for nation
without such an army, well-discpllned
and Of long service. TO wage war success
fully. They held in low repute our Militia,
and were far from regarding them as an
effective force. unless it might be for tenn
porary defensive operations. when invaded
on our own soil The events of the late
war with Mexico, have not only undeceived
them, but have removed erroneous impress
sions which have prevailed TO some extent.
even among portion of our own country
men That war has demonstrated that
upon the breaking out OF hostilities not
anticipated, and for which no previous
preparation had been made, a volunteer
Army of citizen soldiers equal to veteran
troops. and in numbers equal TO any emer
gency, can in short period be brought
into the field
1 Unlike what would have occurred in
any other country, we were under no ne
cessiy Of resortng to conscrlptIons. On
the contrary, such was the number of vol
untcers who patriotically rendered their
services, that the chief difficulty was in
making selections, and determining who
should remain at home. Our citizen sold
iers are unlike those drawn from the popu
laton Of any other country. They are
composed indscriminately of al! profess
sions and pursuits; Of farmers, lawyers.
physicians. merchants, manufacturers, me-
chanics and laborers, and these, not only
among the officers, but the private soldiers
in the ranks. Our citizen soldiers are
unlike those Of any other country i'm other
respects. They are armed, and have
been accustomed from their youth up. to
handle and use fire arms; and large por-
ton of them, especially in the Western
and more newly settled States. are expert
marksmcn. They are men who have a
reputation to maintain at home by their
good conduct in the field. and they are in
telliyent. and there is an individuality of
no other army.
The war with Mexico has demonstrated
not ONLY the ability of the government TO
organize numerous army upon sudden
emergency. but also to provide il with dis
patch, convenience, and ease. and TO di-
rect its operations with efficiency. The
strength of our institutions has not only
been displayed in the valor and skill of
the field. but in an organization of those
Executive branches which were charged
with the general direction and conduct of
the war.
While too great praise cannot be bes-
towed upon the officers and men who
fought our battles. it would be unjust to
withhold from those officers necessarily
stationed at home who were charged with
the duty of furnishing the army, III proper
time and at proper places. necessary to
make it efficient, the commendatlon. which
they are entitled. The credit due TO this
class of our officers is the greater, when
it is considered that no army in ancient
or modern times. was ever better appoint
ed or provided than our army in Mexico.
Operating in an enemy's country, removed
5000 miles from the seat Of the Federal
government. its different corps spread over
vast extent of territory, hundreds and
even thousands of miles apart from each
other, nothing short of the untring vigil
lance and extraordinary energy Of these
officers could have enabled them to pro-
vide the army. at all points. and in proper
season. with all that was required for the
most efficient service.
/ I. is but an act of justice 10 declare that
the officers i'll charge of the several Exc
cutive bureaus, all under the immediate
eve and supervision of the Secretary Of
War, performed their respective duties
with ability, energy, and efficiency.
They have reaped less of the glory of
the war, not having been personally ex-
posed 10 its perils in battle. than their
companions in arms; but without their
forecast, efficient aid, and corporation,
those in the field would not have been
provided with the ample means they pos
ses>ed. of achieving for themselves and
their country, the unfading honors which
they had won for both.
! When all these facts are considered. it
may cease 10 be matter Of SO much
amaze,nent abroad. how il happened that
our noble army in Mexico, regulars and
volunteers. were victorious. upon every
battle field, however fearful the odds against
them.
The war with Mexico has thus fully de-
vcloPed the capacity Of republican govern
mcnts. TO prosecute successfully Just and
necessary foreign war with all the rigor
usually attributed to more arbitrary forms
of government. 1t has been usual for
writer's on public law to impute to Repub-
lies a want of that unity, concentration Of
purpose. and vigor of execution which are
generally admitted to belong to the mon
archical and aristocra,ic forms: and this
feature Of popular government has been
supposed 10 display itself more peculiarly
! in the conduct Of war carried on in an
enemy's territory.
The war with Mexico has developed
more s,rikinsly and conspicuously another
feature in our institutions 1t is. that with
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