New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-10-13
The storming of Monterey.


We surrender large portion OF our columns TO-
day to tho details of the late struggle at Monterey
which will be read with profound though painful
interest. The gallantry of our countrymen' the
discipline and effective leading OF our Army have
again been proudly indicated. To vanquish the
half civilized half armed, badly disciplined MeXi
can masses on broad plain like Palo Alto was an
easy achievement compared with the storming OF a
place Of such great natural strength ms Monterrey,
wherein the advantage OF numbers was strongly
seconded by that OF position, aud wherein undisc
plincd valor md inferior physical force could be
induced to stand on the defensive behind walls far
better than in the face Of steady volleys of cannon
and musketry and the ominous sheen of advancing
rows Of lcveled bayoncts. We trust the Mexicans
are now convinced that they have no chance to re-
sist our troops in open warfare even behind en-
trenchmcnts, and that the fortunes OF war have
nothing in store for them but endurance and dis
conRture. In this conviction only eau We lind any
explanation of the assent Of Gen. Taylor to al Ar
mstice for SO long period eight weeks If
there is to be more storming, moro hloodshed, 1t
was surely unwise to give the Moxcaos so long
time in which to recover from the effects OF this
blow.
That tho Moxicans have made more gallant
and obstinate resistance ut Monterey than was at
first anticipated in this Country is certain The three
dsys lighting the heavy loss OF our troops obvious
Nv not exaggerated in the accounts which have
reached u.s. and the terms OF capitulation all test
fy that the badly armed, worse fed. undiscipncd
Mexicans have fought better than the character
thew have borne among us would give reason to cx'
pecs. True they fought for their hearths their al
tars their National integrity, their wives and child
rem, while our soldiers fought tor-what! How
stands tho account in the books OF the Recording
Angeli
1t does seem to us that no considerate man who
believes that the Universe has Ruler would VIII
ngly become responsible for the saterings OF One
Thousand Human Beings, the deaths of probably
half that number, the Kidding and ravaeing OF a
populous Christian city, with the innumerable be-
reavements and agonies herewith connected, Tor
all the power OF Polk or the fame OF Napoleon.
None can say that these Mexicans in Monterey
have deserved death at our hands can fail to
see that they were defending their own soil; We
think most would prefer to have fallen with them in
defeat rather than have died in the arms Of victory
among the exnlting invaders And can any one
believe that the responsibility OF all this horror is
not charged somowhere' Corporations are said TO
have no souls; Nations often act If they had
nome but Divine Justice is not thereby defrauded,
Every citizen OF tho United States who has in any
manner cheersd on the chariot of Nar-who has
not done what he lawfully could to arrest it's to
some extent parsaker in the guilt OF these awful
bctcheries and therefor responsible before Heaven
We trust the thirs. for slaughter Is now sstiated,
and that our government will make open and Ia
vorable protfers of Peace to MeSco-protters winch
the world will say she honorably may and ought to
accept Mere professions Of willingness to treat
are no, sufficient, Let the terms on which VIC VIII
make Peace be submitted to the impartial Juds,
ment of mankind and lct US at any rate refrain
from farther slaughter except in our own defence.
We do NOT need the territory Of Mexico we should
hardly consent to incorporate her people with ours
ON terms of perfec. equality. and we have no right
~ .ub;ec, them to a Government which they have
M hand in directing, We can gain nothing by iaT,
,ber invasion and offensive warfare that we ought
~ desire. Peace, Peace give US Peace Has
there no. been enough of human slaughter IN such
A cause as ours