Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-08-08

They taught our foe that the soil OF
freedom would always be the grave
of It's invaders.
But do the administration, who in-
volved us in the late unnecessary war,
derive any credit ftom their exer-
tons Certainly not. They were
the spontaneous efforts Of the coun-
Try, undirecled by the goveroment.
The militia who were chiefly engaged
IN these glorious conflicts were often
without pay or comfortable clothing.
The dreadful situation Of the country
compelled them TO abandon their
families and the sweets Of domestic
HE, without any previous warning,
to defend places which were left ut
ierly unprotected by their proper
guardians--places which ought to
have been ready Tor siege at the COM
mencement of the contest. As well
might Ferdinand the VII. of Spain,
who was not in his kingdom but
who was nominally king, claim the
glory Of rescuing his country from
the armies OF France, as our govern
ment take to itself the credit OF ex-
pelling our invaders.
When We turn our attention to the
regular army, which is peculiarly un-
der the direction of the national
government, what do we discover
During the first year of the war,
that year within which our triumph
ant banners were to have floated up
on the walls Of Quebec, and all Can
ada was to have been ours, the year
IN which that province was left un-
protected, and the forces Of our
enemy employed in Europe, it ex-
penenced nothing but a continuation
of degradation and defeat. Is there
an American on the floor of this
house who has not blushed for his
country thousand times during
that disgracelul year-unth all th,
general officers, who had been ap
/ pointed Tor political purposes, and en-
trusted with the command at th,
commencement of the contest, were
dsgraced and until others had Tough
themselves into notice, all our battles
ended in defeat.
During the last year of the war
the regular army, under their com
manders, retrieved their lost charac
ter and perform prodigies of valor
but unfortunately, on account of tn,
impotence Of the government, the.
fought against such fearful odds tha
they were hardly able even to deienc
the frontier. Indeed. so dreadful
was the situation of our country foi
some time previous to the close oi
the contest, that the occasional splen-
did exploits of our heroes, like the
CLEAN OF lightning in dark anC
tempestuous night, only added new
horrors TO the surrounded gloom
They only served TO show us what
brilliant eXertlons our country might
have made, had we been governed
by men who were capable Of proper
ly collecting and directing lis re-
sources.
But peace has again returned 10
bless our shores. Again, commerce,
who has for years been weeping over
the misfortunes of our country, begins
to smile. Again, we stand neutra
toward all the European powers
What then should be the political
conduct of our country in future
Precisely to pursue the political max
inns adopted by Washington, We
ought to cultivate peace with all ma
tlons, by adopting strict neutrality
not only OF conduct, but OF senti
meni.
We ought to make ourselves in ar
attitude of defense. We ought for
ever TO abandon the wild project of a
philosophic visionary, of letting com
merce protect itself. In It's protec-
ton we ought to oIncrease our navy,
We ought never to think OF embar-
goes and intercourse laws with
out adherence. We ought TO use
every honest exertlon to turn out OF
power those weak aud wicked men
who have abandoned the polilica
path marked out for this country Oy
Washington, and whose wild and
visionary theories have been at length
tested by experience and found
wanting.
Above ALL we ought to drive from
our shores foreign influences and
cherish exclusive Amerc n feelings
Foreign influence has been in every
age the curse of republics. llel
jaundlced eyes see all things in false
colors The thick atmosphere o.
prejudice, by which she IS forever
surrendered, excludes from her sight
the hight of Reason.
Whilst she worships the nation
which she lavors for their very crime,
she curses the enemy OF that nation
even Tor their virtues In every age
she has marched before the enemies
of her country, proclalming peace
when there was no peace, and lull-
ing It's defenders into fatal security,
whilst the iron hand Of despolism
has been aiming death blow at their
Liberties. Already has our infant re-
puolic felt her whitening influence.
Already has she involved us IN a war
which Las nearly cost us our exis-
tence.
Let US then learn wisdom from ex-
perience, and forever banlsh this hend
from the nations Of Europe by all
immense ocean. We are all more