Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-07-02
Colonel blair on the war.


Colonel Blair on the War.
Colonel Frank P. Blair, Jr., of Missouri
arrived in New York few days ago, aud
madea brief speech Mt the Metropolitan
Hotel in Intervening, in response to the
compliment of n serenude. After return
ing his thanks for the cordiality of his re-
ceptfon Colonel Blair spoke of the war,
and warmly defended the action of General
Scott. He then continued as follows:
"As for this talk about compromise, I
do not believe that the Administration en-
tertains any such idea. 1t would be folly
in the extreme. 1t would b. the worst
'hing that could possibly happen under
any Circumstances. II would SOW the seeds
Of future wars infinitely worse than this,
and convert our country into a Mexico, to
be convulsed every four years by the ad-
hcrents 0f the disappointed Presidential
aspirants. For my part, am utterly op-
posed TO any compromise, or any treaty
with men in rebellion, with nrms in their
hands, against this government. Nothing
but surrender at discretion, TO receive such
punishment ns the government may choose
to deal out to these traitors can satisfy
the honest heart OF this country now
l am for vigorous prosecution of
the war; for giving to the Administra-
tion all the men and all the money that
the government can command, and 10 have
n speedy settlement of this question, and
have no doubt ms to the way il will ulti-
mately be settled. We have not only got
the right on our side, but have the 'heavi-
est baIthliOns and the heaviest artillery
believe that the Administration enter
tains no other view than to prosecute the
war TO the uttermost-to bring about n
peace which shall he lnsting, because the
enemy will have no power TO disturb it
That is the only peace that can last. ! am
against any negotiation with traitors,
except ut the cannons mouth, and whoever
puts himself forward with view of neyo-
tiating terms between the government and
the traitors with arms in their hands, is,
in my opinion, little better than the trail
tors themselves. No matter what motive
may dictate his course. mean to say
that the men who do it may do it with
honest motives; they may be brave, pa
Iriotic and honest, but the effect is TO
give aid and comfort-to give hope to
the enemy, and whoever does that inflicts
a deep injury upon the government. 1t is
not my purpose TO make a speech-ihat
has not been my avocation for some time
past. am not competent to instruct the
people of this great city, the heart of our
country, which contains great proper
tiou of the intelligence of the land, where
the whole transactions of the Union come
every day under their observation, while
/ have been in remote and obscure part
of the country, aud away from the trans
nctions OF the day" \ Voice-"Whers
is Governor jackson aud General Price?"7
Colonel Blair-"If were to reply to that,
it would be in the language of Shakespeare:
"Thcy saw the lions shade ere himself
and fled dismayed away Laughter and
cheers
Our success in Missouri is, in my opii-
ion, attributable to the pronptitude and
vigor Of the movement of General Lyon
an officer who wa,i distinguished for his
courage. and coHduei in the Mexican war,
and in the frontier war since that time
who has won during the present disturb
unces most cnViGble reputation and de-
serving the hOnors which the Admiuistra-
tion have given him. Many people think
deserving still higher honors, which hope
the Administration have in reserve for
him. ! have not noticed his name as be-
ing promoted in the regular army. cam
not believe that this is an oversight on the
part of the Administration. am induced
TO think that they have some distraction in
reserve for him. must not forget TO thank
the people of New York for the munifcence
with which they came forward to supply the
wants of the Missouri volunteers few weeks
ago. Ifanything has been done in AIissouriof
any moment to Othecountry, advancing thein-
terests of the government, it is in great part
due TO that generosity on the part of the
people of this city which cnabled them to
go into the field properly equipped, which
added to their efficiency. l take this
occasion, on behalf of the people of
Missouri, to return thanks to the people of
the city of New York. They have, in fact
taken this war upon their own shoulders,
supplied the means of war, and when vic
tory comes, no matter what General wins
it, and no matter what men achieve it, the
people OF New York will have their full
share in it, forthey have supplied the means
without which no General, no men, could
have been put in the field. IF they will
continue, as hnve no doubtthey will, the
the So me patriotic, munifcent conduct, they
will have achieved, in part, all the victories
which shall perch upou our standards"