The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-10
NEW YORK HERALD.
New York, Sunday, May 10, 1896.


Hsaon and we hourly expect 10 receive intelli-
sencf Sc general engagement having taken
place The Mexicans, according 10 the latest ac-
counts, had crossed the Rio Grande, two thou
sand strong, and had taken position on the road
to Point Isabel, intercepting all communication
between the American camp and that place.
This intelligence is doubted in some quarters, but
1t seems highly probable, according to all the cir
cuInstances known of the affairs on the frontier.
1t will be recollected that, by the last nelli-
gence from the army of occupation, the Mexican
General had given notice to Gen. Taylor that ifthe
American army did not vacate the position il was
in, within q few hours, il would be considered
declaration of war. On General Taylor's an
swer OF refusal being received by the Mexican
General, n large portion ofthe Mexican forces was
observed to leave the position it had occupied at
Matamoras This movement was inexplcablc at
the time, and it was presumed that a command had
been received from Paredes, ordering the troops
to the capital, TO suppress the instruction of AL
wares. This turns out to be incorrect,
for the object is now plain enough. The Mex
lean General has, according to his announce
ment, taken the refusal of General Taylor to leave
his position as declaration of war, and by tax
ing circuitous route, placed part of his forces
between the American camp and Point Isabel
Thus, then, our affairs with Mexico have reached
a crisis. War is last formally declared and the
Mexicans have taken the first step.
The next news will, undoubtedly, bring inteli-
gence Of an engagement between the two armies,
and of either the success or total defeat of the
American forces
This condition of things exhibits the vacillation
and laundering of our administration, in a fearful
light Here we have the American army inter-
SAI 4
In numbers, and deceitfll to proverb! Already
a successful ambuscade has been practiced; and
by little fnesse, the American army endangered
Where is the gallant General Gaines Ought not
the administration to be aroused from its SUM
Der Ought not the President to open his eyes,
and despatch that mertorious officer with REIN
forcements, immediately, and extricate General
Taylor from his unfortunate position! 1t may
possibly be the case, that General Gaines. in
virtuesof his office General of the Southwest,
has already acted as he did on former occasion,
when General Taylor was at Corpus Christi On
that occasion our readers will recolect he issued
his proclamation, and levied body of volunteers
to assist him in an anticipated emergency
should occur. He may probably have adopted the
same course now, particularly as he was aware
of the length Of time it would require for des-
patch from.Gen. Taylor to reach Washington, and
an answer to be conveyed back.
Be this as it may nothing can excuse the imbe-
cility and weakness displayed by the Executive
and by the War Department. in rcationito our
Mexican affairs. Here we have had a compare
lively insignificant force the Rio Grande, sent
in the first place as precaution-as an intimida-
ton to the Mexicans; and we see how it has ope-
rated Instead of intimidating them, it has in
spired them with courage, and emboldened them
so much, that, if the accounts true, they have
actually crossed the Rio Grande, and hemmed in
our little army. BY taking this step they throw
upon Gen. Taylor the alternative of fighting his
way through the Mexican forces, and clearing a
passage through them, or else be starved out.
Now IT is evident that such contingency could
not have happened if prompt and decided mea-
snres had been resorted to in the first place. If
the President had taken bold stand at the onset
file had taken upon himself the responsibility
o'ar1ying for appropriations, and despatchng an
a'na Il tteen or twenty thousand men to the Rio
Graade, and thus put himself in position to de.
mand II once what the intentions of the Mexican
YoFe.nment were-American honor would not be
placed in the hazard it now is in. lie would then
be IN position to insist upon peace; and in case
OF none being accepted, carry the war into Afri-
ca, and compel the Mexican authorities to agree
to a settlement at once, and put AN end to the
farce tina. has been going on so long
What will European nations, and particularly
England think of us after such an exhibition Of
weaknesstas is here presented! What effect will
1t have on curl Oregon relations England, as
1t Is, is like the pulled up frog in the fable, by rca-
son OF her victories in India, over the Sikhs. As
1t is, she bids us beware of the retributon she has
visited on that unfortunate people. What will
she say, when she hears that the pusianmous,
imbecile Mexicans have not only commenced the
war, but have intercepted the American army,
cut of all access to their provisions, and hemmed
1t in, so that unless reinforcements be despatched
Immediately, they will be either routed or starved
to death 7
FAMINE IN IRELAND.-We would call the atten-
ton of our citizens to the lamentable condition of
the Irish people. BY the last accounts from that
unfortunate country, famine, with all its horrors
was seizing its victims, and carrying numbers of
the people to the grave. Unless some relief is af-
forded, by more favored countries, we may expect
to hear of frightful occurrences shortly. This is
the time for the Christians of all denominations,
and the phianthropsts OF every country, to come
forward and contribute their share towards ward
ing of the dreadful calamity that affcts the
Irish. The Giver of al bestowed "the earth
and the fruits thereof, to his creatures. IT, there
fore, through the fundamentally of unforeseen
and unavoidable causes, one portion of his crea-
lures are deprived of their share of those fruits,
those having a superabundance morally and
reigiously bound to share with those who have
none. The agents and deputies of the Christian
community are about to assemble and give state
ments of their efforts for the past year, in promo
ting the glory Of the Almighty. Can there be a
more appropriate time than this to take this me-
lanchoy subject into consideration, and devise
means for depriving famine of at least part OF
its horrors I We would suggest that public
meeting be held Immediately, by persons Of all
countries and religions. and contributions raised