The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-23

EAPUUtUUTJI. III HUdIIo TUITTTIUGU TWT LHO u
suit Now was our national prowess to be
tested. Now were we to ascertain whether we
could cast back in the teeth Of European gen
erals and European diplomats the taunts which
they had heaped upon our citizen soldiers. They
had told us that our republic was weak, not
withstanding its great population and u%nbounded
resources. They said we had no military
strength, that our army and navy, though skill
full and brave, We're but a cipher compared with
the mighty armaments of the old world, and
that our Impractical citizens could never make
efficient soldiers. Soon came the glorious
stormlng of the mountain Businesses, and the
problem was solved. The nations heart beat
free, and joy for the present and confidence in
the future pervaded the Land. Indeed, it was a
great and glorious achievement, and the moral
effect, both at home and abroad, the most i'm
portant Of the war. 1t gave the country com
plete confidence in the volunteers-the vol
unteers full reliance upon themselves. From
that day forth they became veterans.
Time will not permit me to recite the vivid,
heartstirring incidents of that memorable and
wonderful conflict. On the one side of the city
the regulars fought, as they always do,
with Skill, with bravery and success. They did
all that was expected of them. Their previous
reputation rendered it impossible to do more.
On the other side, the volunteers drew their
maiden swords. Never before had they expert
eneed a grasp stronger than friendship. Now
they stretched forth their hands and grappled
with death. On, on pressed these unhedged
warriors, these men of civil life, these citizen
soldiers: their bright blades flashed before them
like tongues of flame. Up the hillside,
through the streets, swept by rak-
ing cannon, over barricade and battery,
their advancing banners, streaming like thun-
der-clouds against the wind, rustled in the
battle breeze like the pinions of an eagle pounc-
ing upon his quarry. All know the glorious re-
suit. The enemy. though he fought bravely for
his fresides and his affairs, and in the midst of
his supposed impregnable defenses, shrunk from
such fiery valor. The day was ours, and the
republic acknowledges its debt of gratitude to
fhn lln rn1ro4nan@ Na1aa,, Hhar f1TIan
welcome, victors of Monterey!
But the fortune of war determined that your
conduct and valor should be tested upon a yet
bloodier field. A t Buena Vista you met, face to
face, the genius of battle. Under that hot
gaze, in the fierce conflict, where desperate
courage was put to its utmost proof, all fame
unites in saying that you covered yourselves
with immortal honor. In a pitched battle with
brave and veteran troops, outnulnbering
you four to one, during two days you made sue
cessful contest; you stood a living dyke, and
again and again poured upon you the fiery tor
rent. "Twere worth ten years Of peaceful life to
have witnessed you r~epulsing the audacious
squadrons of the enemy, as with pennons. flying
and serried lances they came laundering upon
your unfiinching ranks. Often in the changing
currents Of the moody fight, when the fortune of
the day, rent from our standard, luttered like
torn canvas in the gale, you seized and fastened
1t back to its proper place. But we should do in
justice did we not remember those glorious com
rades without whose cooperation your
'oNA "CNa0 hoFO PAONNA Ii NGLus L
mean the artillery those true sons
of thunder who on that day seemed
to scOrn the use of Jove's counterfeit, and hurled
his genuine bolts. Never were cannon served
with greater GOODNESS, or more fatal precision.
At each discharge whole columns were cut
down. Honor, then, to your brave comrades!
We wish they were here to share your welcome,
heroes of Buena Vista.
But you have still another claim upon our re-
gard-the love and confidence of your general
70 have your name associated with his is itself
renowD. He has achieved a worldwide fame.
The whole nation looks upon him with admira-
ton and affection, and twenty millions of people
love and conide in him, and right well does the
brave old man deserve these great honors. A
true patriot, he has never Obtruded himself upon
the country. When his services were needed he
rendered them. The nations knew not the treas
ury possessed, until the emergencies of
the last year developed it. Now we
know we have that gift of a century,
a general, cool sagacious, prudent, brave
and1 aggFp tnha ne 4,,ae e:appaelous IN resources simple in
haDlts, modest III manner, ana. above All, pos
sessed of the rare capacity of infusing into those
around him his own indOminta6le courage and
determination. These are the qualities which
have rendered General Taylor and his army in
vincible. They are of the true, old Roman sort,
such as might have belonged to a consul, in the
best days of the ancient republic. 1t is no small
honor to have fought under the eye, and received
the commentator of such a soldier. Welcome,
then, thrice welcome, companions of the great
captain in those wonderful engagements, whose
rapidity and brilliancy have astonished the
world. Gentlemen, you have before you a happy
destiny. Yours have been no mercenary serv-
ices. Prompted by patriotism alone, you went
forth to fight the battles of your coun-
try. You now voluntarily return to the
pursuits of civil life. Presently you
will be engaged in your ancient occupations.
But YOU will not be without the meet reward of
patriotic service. Your neighbors will regard
you with respect and affection. Your children
will feel proud, whenever they hear mention
made of Monterey and Buena Vista, and a
grateful nation has ALREADY inscribed your names
upon its annals. Indeed, it is 4 noble sight,
worthy of the genius of this great republic, to
behold at the call of the country, whole armies
leap forth in battle array, and then, when their
services are no longer needed, fall quietly back
and commingle again with the communities
whence they came. Thus the dark thunder
cloud, at natures summons, marshals its black
battalions and hovers in the horizon; but at
length, its lightnings spent, its dread artillery
silenced, it's mission finished, disbanding its
frowning ranks, it melts away in the
blue either, and the next morning
you will find it glittering in the
dew-drops, among the flowers, or assisting with
its kindly moisture the growth of young and ten
der plants. Great and happy country, where
every citizen can be at once turned into an effec-
tive soldier, every soldier converted forthwith
into a peaceful citizen.
"Our regular troops are unsurpassed for skill
and courage. Led by their gallant and accom-
plished officers, they are invincible. All that
science and valor can do, they have achieved. At
Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo, they have plucked
new laurels, worthy to be entwined among those
gathered on the fields of Palo Alto and Resaca
de la Palma. But it is their business to be brave;
it is their profession to fight. We honor the
army, but we look upon our citizen-soldiery
with a different and peculiar pride. They are
part and parcel of ourselves. They have
taught US the secret of our vast strength. We
now know the mighty nerve and muscle of the
republic. We evoke armies as if with magic
~rapidity, as they came forth from the sowing
Of the dragons teeth. At a nod they disappear,
as though the earth had swallowed them up. But
they are not gone. You will find them in the
forest, in the workshop, in the chambers of the
sick, at the bar, in the councils of the country.
They have returned to their old professions and
$3.50 Ii L. H. 1919 unl Co.