Col. Wyncoop at Easton.
Col. Wyncoop at Easton.

Col. Wyncoop at Easton.

    Col. Wyncoop, one of the bravest and most conspicuous among our volunteer office[r]s in the late war, who went out to Mexico a whig, but has, since his return, taken up the cudgels for Cass and Butler, thus explains his position in a speech at Easton, Pa.

    I went from here a whig. I was elected Colonel and placed in command of the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, a situation in every respect honorable and comfortable. For a time I thought not of my political principles or my party. It was all my duty. My whig principles were sound, I dated them from my birth, from my very infancy. All my efforts were those of a whig.
    I had men in my ranks who had made great sacrifices. I had five prosecuting Attorneys with me, and many of the best mechanics of our country, who, for seven dollars a month, had formed themselves into a bulwark of bristling steel, between their country and her enemies. Had they not reason to complain--to feel angry with their countrymen, when they saw that at home there was a Mexican party, who were doing all they possibly could to encourage the Mexicans and discourage us.
    When the Army entered the city of Mexico, they took possession of the archives of the nation, and found in the Halls of the Montezumas an immense number of speeches made by leading whigs in the United States, done up in pamphlet form, for distribution, and directed to every nook and corner of Mexico. Among these was Henry Clay's Lexington speech, done up in very beautiful envelopes.
    There is published in the city of Mexico a government paper called the "Monitor Republicano." This paper was filled with extracts of their speeches in the United States in context argument, to encourage the Mexicans. They were read everywhere, and their effects were felt everywhere. Here were articles copied from the Tribune, National Intelligencer, and North American, published in good Spanish. The Mexicans were urged to continue the war; it was Mr. Polk's war; he wants land and money for indemnity. Keep up the war as your ancestors did against Spain. Organize and keep up your guerrillas. Let there be concealed in every bush a knife, and behind every rock a rifle. By and by, said they, this whig party will get into power. Polk will be banished; then we can make peace without compensation. This, fellow-citizens was the work of Clay, Botts, Calhoun, Giddings, and Corwin. But they have their reward.
    In this 'Monitor Republicanco,' it was also announced that these men and other friends of the Mexicans in the United States were elected hon[o]rary members of the Philanthropic Society of Mexico.
    I have not come here to clap trap you. I tell you what I have seen and heard and what I have labored and struggled for twenty one months to overcome; and you will believe me when I tell you these men are Honorary members of this Society for the part they have taken in killing and destroying our fellow countrymen, and this I can prove, by some papers I have in my trunk at the American hotel, to any man that wishes to see them. I can't see the difference between a Tory of 1776 and a Tory of 1848. When the regularly constituted authorities of our government are involved in a war, and the invader's foot is upon our soil, our country is our mother, and the majority should rule. Every good Citizen should stand between his Country and the invader, and the man that refuses to do this and encourages the enemy is as much a Tory as he who sold beef and flour to the British in the Revolution.
    We have thought of these things--we have felt these charges and felt them bitterly. We knew there were honest men at home but we also knew that there was a death dealing party at home assailing us in every manner. The dead bodies along the National road are evidences of the effect that has been produced by this opposition to the Government. It is said that this is a free country, and as free and independent citizens we have a right to express our opinions upon any measure of the government--But the effect should be looked to. It has caused the loss of life, and we who have suffered in consequence of this proceeding, have a right to complain.
    I have little to say about the candidates for the Presidency. Gen. Cass is known to all of you; his history, his heart, his intellect, and the strength of his brain are all known to you. He was a gallant soldier in the war of 1812; he had unbounded confidence as a volunteer.
    Looking over a paper to-day, I saw Tom Corwin's letter, in which he defines his position. He says that when asked how he could support General Taylor his answer is obvious. Gen. Taylor was a regular soldier, and regular soldiers must obey orders; if to go he must go; if come, he must come; and if change, he must change. But, says Mr. Corwin, this don't apply to volunteers. The government can't force them beyond their respective states. Volunteers are therefore responsible--regular soldiers are not. Well, fellow citizens, the volunteers will take the responsibility and they will dig his political grave so deep that he will never get out of it.


Source:

Unknown, "Col. Wyncoop at Easton," Brooklyn Eagle and Kings County Democrat, Brooklyn, Monday, 2 October 1848, p. 1.

Created March 1, 2004; Revised March 1, 2004
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