The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-08
The Veterans Of the Mexican War.
A Crowded Audience to Hear the
Distinguished Speaker.

Louisiana Associated Veterans Of the Mexican
War, and so worthy cause could not fail to
bring together large and select audience.
Last evening Exposition Hall presented
most animated appearance.
In the center, tastefully draped in United
States flags, there was erected large plat
Msm, at either end Of which there were
DlAcks of muskets and cannon used in
Mexico.
On the canopy hung in display the follow
ing names of battles fought during the war
Mexico, Buena Vista, Monterey, Chepulte-
pee, Palo Alto, Vera Cruz. Cerro Gordo, Re-
SAGA de la Palma, San Pascual, Jalaps, Ia
basco, Saltllo, Cherubusco.
By o'clock the hall began to fill with visi-
tors, and in half an hour there was assembled
an audience of the most select Of over 1900.
Af,er all were seated, the veterans drew up
in line at the outer entrance and received Mr..
Davis, who entered with his escort-the band
playing "Hail to the Chief" Proceeding to
the platform, the party were seated, when, at
a signal, the flags which hid the veterans from
the public were dropped.
Col. VIM. Tenbrink then advancing. intro
duced Mr.. Davis to the audience. With one
accord all rose to their feet and cheered the
distinguished orator Of the evening.
Mr.. Davis advanced, and in his clear voice
began his address. He said:
It was with no common emotion that he
looked upon those around him-the veterans
of the war with Mexico-assembl together
on such an occasion. He referred with
regret at the necessity now existing, that
those who had periled their lives for their
country, should have to resort to private
means to secure their decaying organization
from necessity, and that he did not desire to
arraign those whose negligence had occa-
stoned this unpleasant truth. In no sphere
Of life was there any condition where the vi.
cissitudes are more blooming of love and
affection than in the soldier.
His trials his bivouacs. the fatiguing
marches and the dangers of battle we're ali
in halo Of warm sentiments that
made the profession, from its pure and patri-
otto mission, one that engendered the kindl-
est of sentiments
He then referred to the occasion that had
assembled them together. and stated that on
account of his indisposition he had been una
BILE to prepare himself as he had desired.
The theme presented, and on which he
should speak, did not suggest any single bat
tie, but rather general resume of the war
ITSELF He therefore said that he would con-
fine himself to the historic generalities and
then the moral effects themselves.
He went on: After the peace Of 1912, the
question might well have been asked, Had
the cankero OF peace eaten into the c0nstitu-
ton of the people, and had the citizens of
- Dat
when Zachary Taylor was ct Point Isabel,
Louisiana was at once aroused to the occasion,
and she responded to the call with alacrity.
Mr.. Davis then entered into the recital Of
number of historic incidents, showing the
valor of Gen. Taylor and his men, all of
which have passed into history. He then
said: As soon as the news that blood had been
shed, and American blood, too, ON American
soil, the government called for volunteers.
There was diversity Of opinion among the
politicians at Washington, whether the war
was just, or not; but the people responded,
"Our country-right or wrong, our country"
So soon as the proclamation of the Presi-
dent came the volunteers Aocked by thou
sands, many of them at great personal sacri-
foe and expense. They were not meroena-
their business ct home. He referred in glow
ing terms to the patriotism Of Washington
and Jackson as illustrative of the American
love Of country.
When the volunteers arrived, 30 little was
the country prepared, they were eager to
attack without being fully ready. Taylor
came with Mexican pack mules and Mexican
conveyances only to carry his baggage toward
Monterey. He surrounded Monterey with his
gallant men. and after three days of fighting
It capitulated.
The authorities at Washington, by some
strange views, decided that the Mexican army
should have been captured. But Gen. Tay-
lor, who, like all of us in those days, would
make no terms with an enemy that one would
not make with gentleman, lcheers, stood
by his agreement.
Next followed the advance on Mexico Gen.
Taylor then commenced to prepare his artil-
lery and to secure water for his men. The
road opened to the General was the best pos
sible one. Instead of attacking up hill it
would have been down hill, upon every forti-
fication to the city, but the politicians thought
differently, and 80 ordered the attack by way
of Vera Cruz.
Gen. Taylor, assisted by Gen. Wool, fell
back from the advance he had already made
to q better position at Buena Vista. The
enemy came forward here with numbers seven
times our own. the bayonets glistening in the
sun, and there stood the little band resolved
to do or die. The first day decided nothing.
nor did the second, but on the third the band
of brothers stood beneath the hail of fire, aud
every man waited until within rifle shot; the
enemy came, and then fame Of fire shot out
and the flying cavalry of the Mexicans told
that hearts of steel can always repulse q
charge of cavalry, and all nations noted the
fact
With varying results the battle went on,
and At night whilst lying in the ambulance
Mr.. Davis heard the grateful news that the
enemy were in full retreat. Next followed
Vera Cruz, Chepultepec, and it was not long
before Mexico, the capital, the halls Of the
Montezumas, were in the hands Of the Ameri.
can army. Mexico, the capital, was then in
the hands Of our army, aud then came the
grand climax of the moral Of the war. A
treaty of peace was made without acquiring Q
single acre Of ground without paying for it.
No acquisition at the point of the bayonet.
the army then was just what We Americans
boast Of when We say that We are the greatest