Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-06-17

When we turn our attention TO the regular army,
which we're peculiarly under the direction IT the
National Government, what do we discover -
During the hrst year OF the war that year in which
IL was 10 have closed with glory, that year within
which our triumphant banners were to have foa +
ed upon the walls of Quebec, and all Canada was
to have been ours the year in which that province
was left unprotected, and the forces OF our enemy
were employed in Europe, it experienced nothing
but 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 disgracefu YEAR, Until all the general
officers, who had been appointed for political pur-
poses, and intrusted with the command at the
commencement Of the contest, were dissraced, and
until others had fought themselves into credit and
into notice, all our battles ended In defeat.
During the last year Of the war, the regular
army under their commanders, retrieved their lost
character, and performed prodiges of vslor; but,
unfortunately, on account OF the impotence of ths
government they fought against such fearful odds
that they were hardly able even TO defend our
northern frontier. Indeed, 30 dreadful was the
situation of our country for time previous to
the close Of the contest thAt the occasional spen-
did exploits Of our heroes like the gleams of light
ming in . dark and tempestuous night, only added
new horrors to the surrounding gloom. They only
served to show US what brilliant excrtions our
country might have made, had we been governed
by men who were capable Of properly collecting
and directing its resources. ~
But peace has again returned to bless our shores
Again commerce, who has for years been weeping
over the misfortunes of our country, begins to
smile. Again we stand central to all the European
Powers. What, then, should be the political con-
duct in future? Precisely to preserve the politi-
cal maxims adopted by Washington. We ought
to cultivate peace with ALL nations, by adopting
strict neutrality, not only Of conduct, but of SEN
timent aftAs
We ought to make our neutrality respected by
placing ourselves in an attitude of defence. We
ought forever TO abandon the wild project of .
philosophic visionary, Of letting commerce protect
ITSELF In its protection we ought 70 increase our
navy. We ought never TO think Of enbargoes and
non-intercourse laws without sbhorrencs.s We
ought TO use every honest exertion to turn out Of
power those weak and wicked men who have
abandoned the political path marked out for this
country by Washington, and whose Wild and Wis
ionary theories have been At length tested by
experience and found wanting. -. 4 II
WHAT NUsr BE DONE wlTHyoREIGxIsA,
Above %, We ought to sHe Pom our shores
! foreign influence, and cherish exclusive American
feelinga Foreign influence has been In every age
| the curse Of republics. Her jaundiced eye sees
ell things in false coiorsi The thick atmosphere
of prejudice, BY which she IL forever surrounded,
excludes from her agbt tho light Of reason. Z
Whilst she worships the nation whiah she hyors
for their very crimes she curses the enemy Of that
nation even fer their virtues. In every age she
has marched before the enemy Of her country pro-
claiming peace, when there was no peace, and
lulng its defenders into fatal security, whilst the
iron hand of despotism has been aiming a death
blow at their liberties. Already has our infant
Republic felt her whitening influence. Already
has she involved us in awar which had nearly cost
us our existence ~ ttS
Let us, then, learn wisdom from experience and
forever Danish this fend from our society. We
are separated from the nations of Europe by an
immense ocean. We are still more disconnected
from them by q different form Of government,
and by the enjoyment of true liberty. Why, then,
should we injure ourselves by taking part in the
| ambitious contests of foreign despots and kings?
I Should this Washingtonian policy be pursued,
country will again rise to its former greatness
and wealth., Under the blessings of Providence,
we may thence Calculate on long and happy c1.
istence as nation. We may reasonably hope that
our children's children, to, remote generations,
may be assembled together upon this suspicious
| day, blessing the memories Of the men whom
heaven intrusted with the glorious task of making
a great nation, free, happy, and independent.