The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-03-01
MARTIAL SPIRIT OF THE AMERICANS.
The London Times saws

HC i-oluOu L HIS dyS
"if Lord J. Russell intends to measure sur
defensive preparations by the limits to which
seven the United States carry these peculiar
institutions, it will be hard to say where our
national soldering is to stop. In The matter of
estimates, ii is true that the demonstrations of
America are exceedingly moderate and pacific;
but IN respect of genuine martial spirit, and
fondness for military display, there are no peo-
pie on earth more conspicuous than the coun-
trymen of Elihu Burrtt. The fact is worth
observing, both by those who are entrusted
with the administration of affairs and those who
have charged themselves with the peculiar
advocacy of the doctrine Of peace. Undoubt-
edly, where the regular army is small, the an
nual expenditure is small also; but where
every man Is perfect soldier in his own con-
cell, the 3plrt OF military enthusiasm can never
fail to be effectually diifused. No people have
been more pugnacious than the citizens of free
States habituated to volunteer soldering. 1t
mas been repeatedly seen in America that the
habits OF the milltiamen pass with the utmost
promptItude into those of the regular cam
paigner; and we very much doubt whether the
emperor OF Russia himself commands half so
martial population as the President of the
Umon. Early IN the American war ii was
plainly dscerned, by the most sagacious of
BRUSH statesmen, that our armies, superior as
tney showed themselves in the field, must be
utterly unavailing against the resources OF
country where every citizen coald WELD
musket with good will against an invader
me result proved the truth OF the prediction !;
ana though we do not, as we have said, con-
slder the tendencies Of these institutions as
hignly pacific, there is no doubt that they iufn'
lsh an impreg nable bulwark against hostile at
tack"
We think it is beyond question true, that nc
country, either of ancieut or modern tunes
ever contained the elements Of great miitaf.
people more thoroughly than this. II is wei
for the world, and probably still better for us
that we are separated from Europe by an I'm
inense ocean. We should otherwise create al
abundance of trouble, and no mistake. Their
never was population so ready to go 10 wal
Tor any cause, or for 10 cause al all. wa
is at all times popular here, and II seems
make very little odds against whom IT may b
declared. A war candidate for the presidency
and a war party, are sure TO command the cor
fidence of the country, whenever the emeI
gency is presented in a tangible shape.
properly directed, we regard, this spirit q
most fortunate for us, and for our institu
tions. 1t implies a readiness to defend GU
affairs and our fire.sides, and to punish thos
who would desecrate them, which foreign ma
lions cannot but respect. So far, then, it i
highly conservative, and the only danger is til,
il may be pushed 100 far. As proof of tn
obstinate and unyielding disposition of III
American people, it may be mentioned, that i
the darkest hours Of the revolution, they neye
once thought of abandoning the contest. The
sustained many defeats before they had &C
CURED the discipline which alone command
success. Some of these defeats were yer
bloody, and all of them, more or less, dsas
irous. But none ofthem ever induced the pee