Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-07-04

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view nj the commencement Of the con.
test. but have Lost many valuable
privileges: notwithstandiag our coun-
try has been invaded in every quarter,
and the capitol Of the United States
has been laid in ashes by a marauding
party Of the enemy--this has been
called a glorious war. Glorious Il has
been. In tho highest degree, to the
American character, Tat disgraceiul
in the extreme to the Administration.
When the individual States discovered
that they were abandoned by the gen.
eral government, whose duty IL was to
protect them. the forttude Of their cit.
isens arose with their misfortunes.
The moment they were invaded. the
genius OF freedom inspired their souls.
They rushed upon their enemies with
a l.allowed fury. which the hireling
soldiers Of Britain could never feel
They taught our foe that the soil OF
freedom would always be the grave OF
its invaders.
But do The administration. who in.
volyed us in the late unnecessary war.
derive any credit from their exertions?
Certainly aot. Thev were the spon-
taneous efforts of the country. undi-
rected by the government. The mill
tia who were chief, engaged in these
glorious conflicts, were often without
nav or comfortable clolhing. The
dreadful situation of the country com.
pelled them to abandon their families
and the sweets of domestic lie. with.
out any previous warning. TO defend
places which were left utterly unpro-
iected nv their nroner ouardians-
places which onpht 10 have been ready
for A siege nj the commencement Of
the contest. As well miyht Fefdinand
the VII. of Spain. ..who was not in his
kingdom. but who was nominally
KIM. claim The glory Of reseuing his
country from the armies os France.
"A our government takes 10 itself The
credit Of expeIling our Invaders.
When we turn our attention 10 the
regular army, which peculiarly under
the direction Of the national govern
ment, what do we discover 7 During
the first year Of the war. that year in
which Il was TO close with glory. that
year within which our triumphant
banners were to have floa,ed upon the
walls OF Quebec. and all Canada was
10 have been ours. the year in which
that province was left unprotected,
and the forces OF our enemy employ
ed In Europe. II experienced nothing
but n continuation Of degradation and
defeat. Is there AN American on the
lloof Of this house who has not blush.
ed for his country thousand times
during that disgraceiul year-until all
the general officers, who had been APP
pointed Tor political purposes. and en-
trusted with the command nj The COM
menccment OF The contest, were dis
graced; and until others had fought
lhemselse. into notice. MI our battles
ended In defeat.
During the last year Of the war.
the regular army, under their COM
manderu. retrieved their lost character
and performed prodigies Of valor. but
unfortunately. on account Of the i'm.
potence Of the government. they
fought against such fearful odds that
thew were hmdIy able even 10 de end
our northern frontier. Indeed. so
dreadful was the situation Of our coun.
try for some time previous TO the close
Of the contest. that the occasional
splendid exploits of our heroes. like the
CLEAN Of lightning in dark and tenn
pestuous night, only added Lew hor.
rors 20 the surrounding gloom. They
only served 10 show as what brilliant
exertions our country might have
made, had we been governed by men
who were capable Of properly collect
ing and directing its resources.
Bat 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 neutral TO-
ward all The European powers. What
thea should be the political conduct
of our country in future? Precisely
10 pursue the political maxims adopted
by Washington. We ought TO cult
vate peace with all nations, by adopt
inc A strict neutrality not only Of con.
duct but Of sentiment.
We ought TO make our neutrality
respected by placing ourselves in an
attitude OF defence. We ouLht forever
to abandon the wild project Of phil
osophic visionary. Of letting COM
merce protect itself. In its protection
we ought to increase our navy. We
ought never to think Of embargoes and
non.intercourse laws without abhor'
renee. We ought to use every hon.
est exeriion to turn out Of power those
weak and wicked men who have aban-
doned the political path marked out
lor this country by Washington. and
whose wild and visionary theories
have been at length tested by exper.