The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-06-28
From the Getty of Notions"
Boston. June "a, 1861.

rlous quarters as to the apparent hardness
and inefficiencv which seem to characterize
the movements of government in relation to
the prosecution of the war. There is great
danger of doing injustice to the parties hav-
ing this important matter in charge, by this
tendency to unreasonable complaint. If
"discreton is the better part of valor, and
to continue the quotation,-lf "haSte is not
always speed,'-it certainly becomes candid
men to use their influence to set the public
mind right, without loss of time.
1t will be recolected by many that at the
time of the Mexican War, the administration
and it's friends consulted Gen. Scott as to
the time it would require to place an army
upon the enemy's territory. His answer
specified period of two or three months
longer than the other party had calculated
upon; but in the end every movement was
made to tell, and the result fully sustained
his estimate, and the war brought to close
in way which added largely to his military
reputation. He is tru peace man, though
warrior, and the value he places upon hui
man life, shows him to be friend of man, as
well as of his country. 1t has been stated
that he remarked that he could capture Vera
Cruz With loss of three thousand men. and
thereby cover himself with glory, or he could
do the same thing and not lose hundred
lives, and not get any credit for it. lie con-
Guided, however, to fling away ambition,
and capture the fortress of San Juan de
Ulioa, which commanded the city, with a loss
too triding to be named, and still again pub
lie sentiment sustained him. So, as to the
settlement of the boundary question: the
Canadian rebellion, and all, he has ever shown
himself humane as well as successful officer.
lie can see that something besides men is
necessary, and though man of his giant
frame may be supposed to set fair value
upon muScie also, Vet he knows that food.
clothing, arms, ammunition, and camp equip
age, are Of great practical Importance III Il
campaign.
Another danger to be feared is, that in
such times, injustice may be done to merito-
rious officers of the regular army. By placing
men with little or no military experience in
advanced positions. Nermonters well re-
member, no doubt, that the lamenteu General
Ransom, one of the abest military men ii
the country, entered the service and was
killed as Colonel Ransom,-while Franklin
Pierce took the rank Of General, and it was
thought by many that this title did much, II
not every thing, to make him President 0.
the United States. We must not be invdi-
Gus, however. in such times, but do what
makes for peace,
1t may appear that our gallant Butler, in
spite Of all that may be fairly attributed t.
him on the score OF too much action. MAY
have saved Washington from the ryb4ls, as
they were no Loub. sadly disappointed at
losing Baltimcre,- and it II az be- remembered
that Scott. Hhen he gained the great victor!
al Luudy's Lane, was fresh from a law office.
The Rev Mr.. Stone, of Park Street preach
Cd last sabbath al excellent discourse upon
IL ambition was the theme. and an eloquent
tribute was paid to the deceased s,a,csn IN.
1t hardly seems possible that the robust and
healthy looking gentleman, who was 10 be
seen less than a year ago, seated upon the
Platform with the faculty at Cambridge, chat
ting and smiling fam:lliarly with our Senator
Wilson. and others, can have passed away
forever and yet such is human greatness
Mr. Everett seems to be setting himself right
and his aliusion in his recent letter, q !b-
lShed in the H. HroUiclc,) to the idea OF
having his daughters home in Washington,
battered down over her head, and the heaG>
Of her fair little children. and his home in
Boston be made to show the same fate shows
some of the practical bearings of the case
lie we'll argues that it is expecting too much
to suppose he will sustain the absurd doc
trines put forth under the names Of Southern
rights, in such a case. Mount Auburn is
looking beautifully now. and view Of Wash
ing,on'S headquarters at Cambridge, now oc
cuped by Prot. Longfellow, is worthy of a
pilgrimage to the city. These times call for
universal or unanimous effort on the part
Of all, to realize more freely the Importance
of peace OF earth and good will to men,
IL place of anarchy, war and bloodshed.
IT L.