The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-05-27
FOR THE BANNER. J

AS hostilities have actually commenced
between the United States and Mexico,
the public mind is necessarily excited,
and inquisitivc concerning our opponent
1t may not be unintcrcsting to your rca.
ders, to have laid before them, a few
facts, relating to the social, and moral
condition Of the Mexicans, by one whose
residence amongst, and acquaintance
with them, has enabled him to form un-
biassed and unbigoted opinions. There
is no error moro dangerous, and in its
consequences towards those entertain
ing it, more disastrous than that very
common one, both with individuals, and
Governments, of despising and underva-
lueing their foe. Had not the British, at
the commencement of the Revolution,
so thoroughly despised, what they were
pleased to call, the miserable Yankee
rebels" our noble and saintcd fore fath-
ers, would have found infinitely more
trouble than :hey experienced, in freeing
our beloved country, from the yoke OF
English tyranny. 1t was commonly
received opinion, in their army then,
that one John Bull, was equivalent to
half dozen Yankees; and it was not
until they had been driven from the
country, that they began to believe, that
man, wherever found, was formed after
the image of his maker; and that if the
patriotism of a nation, was once tho
roughly aroused, their love of liberty
really awakened, they were not to be
conquered, though they might be exter-
minated. This fact is plainly iIlustra-
ted, even at the present time, by Russia
and Affghanistan, and the unavling at
tcmpts Of France to conquer AEpEL Ell
KADEK. Not that the Mcxicans are
equal 10 the Americans, either mentally,
morally, or PHYSICAL; nor is there any
doubt, of the possibility of Mexico's be-
ing conquered by this government: it is
an universally accredited opinion,
throughout the United States, that the
Mexicans are commonly, weak, igno-
rant and unskilful soldiers, without a
spark of patriotism, and devoid Of every
other virtue; and that the general, who
commands the. American Army, will
have nothing more to do, than march to
| the city Of Mexico; plant the Star Span
gIcd Banner, and send to our capital, as
brief a despatch as Cnsar's. 81 came
l saw! conquered ~ This, they
will certainly find 10 be an erroneous
opinion. First, however, let US cxa
mine the present condition of the Mexi-
can army; the way it is recruited the
material Of which it is composed, and
the inducements held out to the soldiers
to behave vallantly. The number of
the regular standing force, amounts to
thirty thousand men; on paper quite a
formidable array, but with the exception
ola few regiments, they arc most mise
rably armed, equipped and oficcred,
In Mexico, though nomlnaiIy Repub-
lie, political influence and wealth. 60
verns the appointment of all officers.
both civil and military, more even, than
in the most despotic governments of
Europe. Under the present system and
government, talents, courage, or ability,
are.of no avail 10 the aspirants after ho-
nor or fame, unless aided by the inf1u-
ence of powerful connexions, or great
wealth. Such being the fact, it ceases
to be matter of astonishment, that so
many effeminate, ignorant, cowardIy,
and inefficient officers, should be mus
tered in their army. Nor is it matter
of surprise, that a regiment, having for
its ColoneLa child, some taoeIuc gears OF
age, who, perhaps, was never away
from his mother, until be is sent to the
field Of battle, should disgrace itself in
action, the more particularly, as it is inva.