The Life and Adventures of Kit Carson, the Nestor of the Rocky Mountains, from Facts Narrated by HimselfPeters, De Witt C. (De Witt Clinton)
History
The Life and Adventures of Kit Carson, the Nestor of the Rocky Mountains, from Facts Narrated by Himself
Peters, De Witt C. (De Witt Clinton)
Carson Kit, 1809-1868; Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.)
The reasons why the wishes of the President were not carried out by
Congress in this instance, we know not; but, certain it is, that the
lucky aspirant who eventually received this office at the hands of the
same United States, had no credentials to present that could, as far
as merit was concerned, compare with those held by Christopher Carson.
It is fair to infer, that Kit Carson had but few friends at court,
though it cannot for one moment be supposed that his name was not
well known at Washington, when for five long years he had been the
right-hand man of John C. Fremont in his explorations. The privates
and the hardships which that commander and his guide willingly
submitted to during those years, it is impossible to describe through
reports. The whole newspaper press of the United States, together with
several volumes of well-written books, have attempted it, but all have
failed in giving a true picture of the reality. These things availed
nothing when brought in contact with political moves; and Kit Carson
was doomed to go by the board. He had, however, met, during his
eventful life, with too many disappointments to be much chagrined at
this, and we find him, soon afterwards, making inquiries in relation
to the state of feeling among the Indians who inhabited the country
through which he had to pass.
The appointment of civilians to the responsible duties of a command in
the United States army has, of late years, become, in many instances,
very unfortunate. Perhaps it is this that has taught our legislators
a lesson. But there is a truth which lies above this difficulty. The
severe ordeal necessary to be gone through with at West Point, in
order to make military men of the proper standard, has very naturally
raised a jealousy between these two classes of men. This is very
healthy for the country, as it stimulates each to noble exertions.
In order to make the army less secluded, it is necessary to appoint
a certain per-centage of men from the walks of private life, and
therefore the most meritorious should be selected. West Point men, as
a body, are a great credit to our country; and, as a scientific corps,
they cannot be surpassed; but, the fact is incontrovertible, that
many, if not most of the leading officers of the United States army,
are self-educated, and have risen to their exalted positions by
untiring industry and distinguished services. For frontier work, men,
to be capable of taking command, are required to have great experience
in Indian strategy, and to become accustomed to endure privations and
vicissitudes. These cannot be taught by schools or books. For these
positions those are best fitted who have been trained to the mountains
from earliest boyhood, and where is the man in North America who has
battled in this service longer or more successfully than Christopher
Carson? But Kit Carson could see no reason why the votes of the United
States Senators, refusing to confirm the President's effort to reward
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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