The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-17

sea and as she is the fastest Of the Ounard lne IT
is not improbable she will arrive to-day at
Boston.
The New Aspect OF the Wharf.-The way TO
Conquer a Peaec-The Military Condition
OF Mexico.
We are now in the midst OF the most active
preparations for a brilliant campaign against
Mexico. We are on the eve of several achieve
ments that are probably destined to place the
military genus of these United States on the
highest pinnacle of fame. We are now engaged
in shaping the models for several candidates for
the Presidency of this magnificent country. We
have our hands full Of work.
Our readers will recollect The leading article of
the Herald on Monday last, III which we detailed
as much as the public interest required, the new
plan of operations against Mexico. They are re-
quested TO keep that article in view. If Gene
rails Scott and Taylor meet with no reverse,
the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, Vera
Cruz, &c., &c, will soon be in our hands
The plan detailed is the one the most feasible
of any yet devised. 1t was recommended in the
Herald months ago.
In order to exhibit its feasibility we will 20 into
few particulars.
II IS clear that nations do not go to war, no
more than individuals go to law, merely for tn e
fun of the thing They have always an object in
view when they engage in war. To obtain that
object, it is necessary TO make the nation you
are contending with feel the inconvenience of
war Ifa commercial nation, you must blockade
its ports, and seize its shipping fan agrcultu-
raj nation, you must invade it, and occupy its
principal towns. The first mode of conquering
peace, we have tried in Mexico. 1t has failed.
Why Because the Mexicans are not COM
mercial people. Yielding, as Mexico does, all
the necessares, and most of the luxuries Of life,
its inhabitants are, in manner, independent of
foreign commerce. And SO also is the govern
ment Of Mexico. Taxes on articles which are pro-
duced at home. and consumed at home, now form
its chief support. twas not so always. The 60
vernment of Mexico once derived a considerable
revenue from the duties on foreign merchandise
duties which now, a few capitalists-creditors of
Mexico-receive. 1t is these capitalists, mostly
foreigners, who are chiefly injured by the inter-
ruption ofcommerce in Mexco-not the govern
ment, or people of that country.
It's therefore clear, that the only resource left
Gus, is to capture the principal towns of Mexico.
We have taken some towns; but, unfortunately,
they are situated on the confines of the
republic. They are well enough as far as
they go. We must now strike nearer home.
We must do what boxers do, hit at "points :"
On the chief cities of Mexico our blows must
fall But to the capture of the city of Mexico ITSELF
our efforts should especially be directed. In gene
raj, the capital of country is the most populous
and important city in country. 1t is not only
the seat of government, but sort of model city
for the rest What is done in the capital is imita-
ted in the provinces In Short it has on the small
Ter towns, an attractive force, and a guiding i'm
pulse, similar to that exercised by the sun over the
planets. We could cite many instances to show
that the capture Of the metropolis when large
and thriving city, almost invariably leads to In,
submission of the rest of the country Both
1Sl4 and lSl5the French made no resistance af.
ter the Allies had occupied Paris Nor did the
Indians resist the British, after they had taken
possession OF Lahore.
If the city of Mexico is to be taken it is evident
that our army ought to march to it by the short
est and most eligible road. The road from Vera
Cruz is to be preferred, for many reasons. II
passes through fertile tract of land, the greater
portion Of the inhabitants of which are
puny in person and unwarlike in charac-
ter. Nor could there be more favorable time
for rapid march to Mexico than the present.
The rainy season is over I; consequently the
road is in good condition. The bulk of the
Mexican army, and the ablest of the Mexican
generals, are at San Luis-a city distant from We
ra Cruz six hundred and forty miles. 1t is said,
indeed, that Ave thousand soldiers are assembled
at Alvarado. the Mexcans are great at exag-
gerating; in all probability they have not thou
sand men at Alvarado. And what sort of
,Ia
worthless kind. But we are told that the
Castle OF San Juan d'Ulloa must be taken before
an army can be marched into the interior of Mex
leo; and that this castle is impregnable--
sis the Gibraltar of America" This is nonsense.
more absurd comparison than this was never
made; as well might you compare a mole hill
to a mountain, or lugger to a seventy-four, as
Juan d'ULloa to Gibraltarl Both fortresses are
indeed situated upon rocks. But Gibraltar
standsupon very high rock; San Juan d'Uoa
on a very wv one. Indeed, this fortress is almos,
on a level with the sea, and offers fair mark to
shot and shells II we are not very much mi.ta.
ken, the loss of the French, when they lombard.
ed San Juan dUlloa, eight years ago, was very
trfing-some twenty men or so. The fortress is
doubtless stronger now than it was when the
French attacked it. What then7 Attack j, with
stronger force. That of the French Admiral.
Baudin, was weak. He had not single line OF
battle ship the day he took the "Gibraltar OF
America
BUTT appears that besides the castle of San uan
d'Uioa, there is another obstacle to the march, by
the way OF Vera Cruz, Of an army to the city OF
Mexico. This obstacle is the pusnte nacionai-a
bridge on the road between Vera Cruz and Jalapa.
According to some travellers, this bridge might
be made a second Thermopylse-" might be de
tended by handful of determined men, against
large army" But the MeIicans are not Spar.
tars; nor can we with propricty compare an
American army to the efeminate soldiers of
Aerxes The prente naeionai is a strong DO.
sition; but, as the Mexican general Basadre
once observed, "what occasion is there for an in.
vading army to cross il I" BY making short de.