Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-04-17
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

At the fecen, dinner the Maryland Historical
Sucie:y. eloquent speeches were made by Hon. Dan
lei Webster, Sir Henry l.. Bulwer and others. 10
the course OF his speech, Sir Henrypad the follow
ing handsome and glowing tribute 10 these llIustfi-
Gus Americans:
"Where indeed could he find in old England
Senator and orator more clear and concise IN MS
logic, more cppiuus and noble in requirements, IMAM
the Senator and orator from New England the
great Ulysses of Debate, the wise, the varouSy
accomplished, The almost Incompatible Daniel WEB
sler And where, amidst the statesmen OF MS
own country, for whom he felt periodically partial,
where could he point to statesman more gallant IN
his bearing more chiyarous and heart stirring IN his
eoquence more mild and moderate in his cuunsels,
than he who unies the experience of Neslor win
the spirit Of Achilles, The knight and sage OF Ken.
lucky@--his able, amiable, and universally beloved
friend, Henry Clay, whose absence was the only
drawback TO the pleasure Of that entertainment!
'"And if such were American Oraors and otaies-
men. such also were American historians and war
riurs. He had. for his part, never had an adequate
idea of the achievements of those great Spanlards
who first carried Tire 'cruss and sword into the New
World. until he had read fI1ernan Corles in the
pages Of Prescott; and yet, just at the lime when
it appeared TO him that The heroes drawn by that
stepped forth heroes from thatanis's own land who
on The very country which he had taken as the sub
iect Of his Immortal work, egualed surpassed by
their exploits, lhuse whose marvellous deeds he had
been describing. A gentleman had spoken of Agln-
court The name had suggested 10 him(Sir II. L.
Bulwer) singular coincidence applicable 10 fhe TO-
pic ne was then speaking upun. The lat;ie OF
gincourt was fought or The 25i 0clobel Oh Tie
plains Of Picandy in France ihsfe wee o. hat
occasion the English forces few IA aumb
by marching. esfeebIed by sckn ts and sNfi3-..aed
by great and gallant army soconfldent IN victory,
that iischief, previous 10 giving the signal for the
onset sent herald to the English leader to bar
gain for his ransom. The leader sanswer has been
thus given
'Go tell yoar master here am,
"Ny ransom is this rail and worthless trunk;
envy army but a weak and sckly guard;
''Bnt God before Tell him we will come on
and on went King Henry aud his gallant band, and
off went, though not without fight, the Wanting
enemy. II was great victory, and won on st Crls
pins day. Well, in lS47 was fought another bat
lie in Valley in Mexico; and this time the de-
scendan,s Of those who had fought and conquered
four centuries previous were as their ancestors had
been on The occasion alluded TO, few in number, ia
tgued by marching enfeeblcd by sickness, encom-
passed by foes. who, like the confident and over
lusy French "le so sure ofsucces in The approach
inc contest, that their commander sent to The
American commander, summoning him to surrender
at discretion. Did gentlemen remember the answer
that was returned to this snmmons2 They ought to
do so. i, would live in their history. If he (Sir
H. L. Bulwer) remembered rightly, it ran thus:
"Head quarters near Buena Vista, Feb q. Sir
''n reply to your note of this date. summoning me
,sto surrender my forces at discretion, beg leave
$50 say decline acceding 10 your request. / am,
''sr,wlh the greatest respecyour obedien servant,
Zachary Taylor"
This was not poetry, but was stou, and sterling
old Anglo Saxon prose; and it was followed up In
an Anglo Saxon manner. Again here was great
victory. not this time on the day Of St. Crispin,
bu on the birth day of Washington. But, did not
the old hattie Of Agiucourt resemble the modern
battle of Buena Vista? Might not they who were
proud of their fathers having been be as proud
that they themselves had been at the other