of man, as an individual, by his years or generations; the progress of a nation, by its periods of great causative events, or by its centuries.

The recent events of France illustrate the actual power of a standing army in a country where intelligence and education are beginning to reach the people, and where love of freedom has only been defeated for the want of knowledge.* First comes the desire for change, and then the ability. The French have been in a transition state for a long period of time. Every revolution shows an advance, and the period is not far distant when we shall see her strength equal to the glory of a republic. The newly-fledged eagle falls from branch to branch in its first attempts to fly, and every fall is marked by a period of rest. But the parent birds encourage its efforts by example, while its instinct unceasingly tempts it forward in its flights, and from the humble distances of the forest-cluster of its home, it soon is able to sweep its circles in the regions of the sky.

It is thus with nations, destined to life and change. Change is but another word for growth or progress. Every change is a step forward, and every step gives new strength. We mean the progress of condition, of capacity, of power. A monarchy may become a republic, and the republic may not succeed, and the monarchy may be restored. This is merely the conventional process. Every attempt is a preparation, every revolution a step. In the breaking up of power, the monarchy may seize a temporary defence, but the ultimate republic is inevitable.

Louis Phillippe was too slow for his people. Guizot was too precise in his scale of advance. The former had confidence in the latter, and the latter had confidence in science. Both seemed to lose sight of the fact, that while they were watching

*The Mexicans "say, that they are obliged to have a standing army, and that they can only enforce their laws by the grace of God and gunpowder." - Ilon. P. Thompson.

for changes in the people, they did not count upon changes in the army. Armies are made up of men; and though they are excluded in some degree from the benefits of an advancing society, and may be slow to appreciate their rights as citizens, still they have begun to think.* Thought is the great source of power, and in this we may find the power of the United States in the capacity of the people to think. Right thinking is knowledge, and knowledge is power. But where is the

MILITARY POWER OF THE UNITED STATES?

If a stranger were to visit this country, he would be at a loss to find, in form, its military power. He would see no castles of defiance, no towns encircled by turretted walls; he would see no palaces, with their lords and dependent tenantry. He would see no display of royalty, with its cortége of counsellors, outriders, and guard. He would find no army, with its trappings, to admire; no national parade of strength, to awe. But, in our great cities he would see industry without embarrassment, activity without disorder, excitement without riot, and security without fear; and all without an army near, or a soldier's guard.

If he were to go to the capital, he would there see the representatives of the people, of every profession, boldly defending the right and denouncing the wrong, in the business of legislation. He would see the chief magistrate of the nation

* In speaking of the Plymouth rock, De Tocqueville makes the following beautiful reflection :

"This rock is become an object of veneration in the United States. I have seen bits of it carefully preserved in several towns of the Union. Does not this sufficiently show how entirely all human power and greatness is in the soul of man? Here is a stone, which the feet of a few outcasts pressed for an instant, and this stone becomes famous; it is treasured by a great nation; its very dust is shared as a relic; and what is become of the gateways of a thousand palaces?"

in the plainest garb of the humble citizen, and his advisers, unattended, mingling with the crowd, courteous to all, and indifferent to none. But he would see no army near, and at the doors and gates of the public buildings would find no sentinels. He would hear of our government, but he could not see its vast machinery. He would hear of our great power, but he could not understand its form, unless he should visit the people at their homes and firesides. He would find nothing wanting to protection, to liberty, or to life, and yet he would find no army.

The army of the United States, in times of peace, does not often exceed 7,000 men. These men, scattered over a vast territory, are hardly to be perceived by the traveller, or noticed by our citizens. And yet, when required to act in their country's defence, they make the nucleus of an army of any extent, and of the greatest power.

With a military academy, directed by the ablest professors, and liberally sustained by government, the country secures a class of officers of the highest attainments in science, and of the greatest skill in practice. In time of war, around these officers the assembled people of the country become the army of the nation the nation's defence. When peace returns, they scatter to their homes, and resume their accustomed labors, and the soldier again becomes the citizen.

The military power of the United States is as broad as the continent to which it belongs, and its basis is in the hearts of the people. It is not physical, but moral power. It is not for the defence of a government, but of a people. It is not for the few, but for all. It is not for others, but for ourselves. It is not for conquest, but for justice. It is not for ambition, but for protection, that the military power of the United States is organized and exerted.

* The constitution provides that Congress has no power to make any appropriation of money for the support of armies for a longer term than two years. The strength of the army at the commencement of hostilities with the Republic of Mexico was, (April, 1846,) 7,244.

The profession of arms becomes ennobled when we see our military men among our best citizens, and our best citizens ready to become soldiers. A standing army has been thought indispensably necessary for a nation's defence. The recent events of Europe, however, have tended to show that they are now deemed sources rather of danger than of protection.

The volunteer system, adopted by this country, is in harmony with its institutions. There is a freedom and a dignity in it worthy of a people who are willing and ready to defend their own rights.*

When this war was commenced by Mexico, our troops on the frontier of Texas numbered, present and absent, only 3554 men, of which 131 were sick. Fifty thousand volunteers were called for, and nearly half a million offered their services from all parts of the Union.

The volunteer has all the strength of motive that gives to the citizen the spirit of duty, and all the love of home and country that gives the soldier courage. He goes to the war, not as the agent of destruction, but as the defender of right and justice. His motto is, Verité sans peur.

We have no sympathy with those who decry the military of their country, and would avail themselves of the blessings which are gained by its power and protected by its presence. Have they no reverence for the memory of Washington, and his noble band of patriots! Have they no gratitude for the results of their achievements the achievements of the sword! We admire their love of peace, but we cannot adopt their judgment. Their views are in advance of their condition. We would not lessen their efforts in the great cause of humanity, but we could wish that, while they are disposed to act for the good of their country, they would endeavor to devote their energies to prevent the causes of war, rather than oppose the stern and inexorable rule of justice among nations, after war has been commenced.

* See the excellent speech of Mr. Douglas, of Illinois, delivered in the U. S. Senate, February, 1848.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ARMY.

The nature and limits of the present volume do not enable us to give the details of the brilliant achievements of our army in Mexico. These belong to a different and a more extended work, which is in preparation. The heroism and the enduring activity and skill of the officer and soldier, have been the subject of wonder and admiration. All dangers, fatigues, and difficulties were encountered and surmounted with cheerfulness and promptitude. Our government would consent to nothing but an honorable peace; our army consented to nothing but victory. The names of Scott, Taylor, Butler, Worth, Twiggs, Wool, Smith, Pillow, Quitman, Childs, Pierce, Hamer, Lane, Shields, and a host of others might be enumerated, - will live upon the pages of their country's history so long as merit shall be respected and duty honored.

Our gallant navy, though circumscribed in action, was true to the glory which belongs to patriotism, skill, and courage. The reputation of its officers and the efficiency of its men are too well known to require service to entitle them to our acknowledgments of respect.

In the prosecution of this war we find a singular combination of forces. The destructive engines of death were sent forward, accompanied by commissioners of peace; and the hand that was raised to take life from the enemy, was the bearer of the olive branch. After every victory, a pause was made for peace.*

The government at home, three thousand miles from the scenes of action, deliberately matured its measures and executed its plans. It gave its orders amid an approving party on the one hand, and an opposing one on the other. Friends were prompt, opponents were reluctant. But few would stop the war if they could, and many condemned it with their voice, while they

* See Appendix X.