The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-11


the two great exhibitions of national government
one on the broad democratic GROUND of equality,
and the other that the few are born to rule the
many. The workings of the two great systems
/ will be the rivalry of the East and West. Let
England, if she will, essay to lead the kingdoms
| OF Europe, in wealth, in manufacture, in talent,
and in power; but by birth, by wealth, by do
main, by her republican model copied in the Or
ganzation of numerous independencies, the
United States is entitled to hold, as she ever WILL
the prominent influences over the desnes of
/ the Western Continent.
| We are great people.
APPOINTMENTS AND Promotions are pleas
ed TO observe that the President has at length
/ yielded to the overwhelming demand of the peo-
/ pie, and promoted number Of those gallant Off
GERS who distinguished themselves upon the fields
OF Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. We say
we are pleased with these promotions. We are
| pleased with them, because the men upon whom
the laures have been cast nobly deserve to
them; and we doubt not that they will never al
low them disgracefully to fade or wither.
Although well pleased with these appointments,
we are not satisfied with cessation here. Ne-
Their are the people satisfied with the snail-like
manner in which the government have proceeded
IN making them. There are still many moro who
deserve promotions, and who ought to have them
immediately, before the patriotism of the govern
ment should be suffered to cool, and the war be
concluded. Among the many brave officers who
honored themselves, and the flag under which
they fought, by their bravery, may mention
Captain Hawkins, the gallant defender Of Fort
Brown, after he from whom it was named had
died goriously in his country's service. Also,
Capt. May, who splendidly charged the Mexican
batteries Also, Captain Duncan, who gal
lantly led his artillery in the battles of the 9th and
9th, and braved al-whch cost the life of the la
mented Rincgold. Also, Captain Paige, who has
become MANNED, probably for life, in his coun.
try's service. We might 60 on, but these are suf.
fcient. We have only to say that there is a strong
feeling abroad, which wishes the immediate pro-
motion ofthese gallant officers, and we trust that
the government will not act in such opposition
TO this wish to refuse this most just and proper
demand.
We feel it our duty to say word for the brave
suba,erns and soldiers who distinguished them
selves, and practically sustained their countrys
honor by their bravery. In the campaign of the
Sutlel, many privates and non commissioned Off
GERS were raised from the ranks, upon the spot
where they showed themselves to be men of cou-
rage. Our brave subalterns and privates, we are
sorry to say, have been too much neglected.
Among the former who most deserve the atten-
/ ton of the government, would mention the
names of Corporal O'Sullivan, Sergeant MAJOR
Mallory, Sergeant McCabe, and Corporal Farrell,
who distinguished themselves by their bravery
upon the field of Resaca de la Palma, and whose
names are so honorably mentioned in the official
dispatches These, and many other brave fel-
lows III the rank of non-commissoned officers,
deserve immediate promotion.
We see that Congress has been gravely con-
sldering the propriety of voting an extra
months pay of seven dollars to the privates
who fought so bravely at the brilliant battles
These men, who perilled their lives in their
countrys defence, are to be rewarded therefor
with the enormous sum Of seven dollars This is
to be considered the price of soldiers courage.
What absurdity. Instead of giving them an ex-
ira months pay, which would be to them compa-
ratively of no value, and which would tend to dis
grace more than elevate them, by making the con-
sideration entirely pecuniary let Congress direct
that silver medals should be struck of, in COM
memoraton of the battles and their coursse, and
each OF the privates be presented with one. This
would create an honorable and patriotic feeling,
which money could never do, and give to the
soldier something upon which he could look in
his declining years to remind him of his country's
gratitude.
We hope, as we said before, that the govern
ment will attend to these various matters before
their desire to reward vaor is allowed 10 cool off
by Congress, the great ice-house of patriotism in
America. Even Mr.. Owens bill for the relief of
the army Of occupation from the payment ofletter
postage, has not passed. Seven dollars a month
is enough for fighting men, without extra pick
ings, in the estimation Of members of Congress,
who mean to keep the ranking privilege 10 them
selves. They, it would appear, wanted to keep
the heroes of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma
out of honor's way and from the corrupting influ-
ence of money
The SPIRIT OF AMERICAN WoMEN-During the
wo wars in which the United States were en-
gagged with Great Britain, the spirit of patriotism
displayed by American women, assisted material
ly the progress of our arms and the discontinue
of the foe. This Spartan spirit was displayed in
various ways. Thus, at one time, we read of
them cutting up their under garments into m ate.
rials for cartridges; at another time converting
their apparel into clothes for the volunteers, to
protect them from the inclemency of the winter:
and at another time, fabricating with their deli.
cate fingers, banners for those who were engaged
IN defending their country's honor.
This is the same spirit that animated the Spar
tan mothers, before the wealth and extravaganza
OIL conquest had undermined the morals of Rome;
ana the same spirit that in other times, as it does
al present, has characterized the women of Anne
rica. But the source from which the Spartan
mothers derived this spirit, is different With the
SPai'ahs proceeded from education, rigorous
Il