The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-18

selves for campaign and enlist as common
soldiers, as has happened in many instances, they
must be actuated by some motives stronger than
the desire TO appear in regimentals. Such men,
/ fighting for their country, are worth hundreds of
mercenary troops.
\ The citizens of foreign birth have not been at
all inferior in ardor and patriotism to the natives
ofihe soil. In Ohio there is an entire regiment
OF Germans, numbering about 900 men, and in
every State in the Union, the Irish and German
companies are among the first to offer their SER
vices There is no doubt as to the efficiency of
these foreign companies. Their national pride,
us well as their devotion to their adopted country,
WIZ make them signalze themselves in the field,
and indeed they have always done so.
From present appearances, if the muster were
10 continue, we could in six months, bring into the
field an available force of 100000 men, and of
such troops, as for vaor, discipline, and endu-
rance, will compare with any in the world. This
is an army greater than ever Eastern monarchs
brought into the field, and one that could with
stand the combined armies of all Europe. This
force could be increased from time to time 10 any
extent Such an army, actuated by feelings Of
patriotism, and the desire of glory, and withal
brave and intelligent would be such sight as
the world has never SEEN
But we trust the occasion that would call toge-
Their such a force is far distant The best policy
oil every country is peace, and we hope that the
harmonious relations that now exist between this
country and all the nations of Europe will long
remain undisturbed. Indeed, there is every indi-
cation at present of a lasting peace; but we
deem 1t, nevertheless, well to show what the
United States are capable Of should any occasion
arise to call forth the latent energies Of the nation.
Our present brush with Mexico is slight indica-
ton OF what those energies are, when called into
play.
IHE Four GENERALs.-It is little more than a
month since the commencement of the present
war, yet in that short space OF time, no less than
four OF our Generals have succeeded in distinguish
ing themselves. One has suddenly emerged from
comparative obscurity, to be hailed as the first
military leader in America A second has sue
ceeded in demoshing the fabric of a fame, little
less glorious third has rendered himself liable
TO blame from the government, although not from
the people, by the precipitancy of his patriotism,
which we are freeto say is ofths purest character;
and fourth has simply been successful in obtain
ing for himself an unenvable notoriety.
The first of these is General Taylor-the second,
Scott-the third, Ganes-and the fourth, WORTH
we would inquire, then, by what means have
these four officers arrived at the respective posi-
tons they now occupy in the estimation Of their
countrymen How have they accomplished it
Simply thus. The first by doing his duty-the
second by refusing to do his-the third by overdo-
ing his-and the fourth bynot seeming to know that
he had any duty to perform.
Well all this has perhaps turned out for the
best. The four cheitains have received their re-
specuve rewards-the first, in the approba ton
two OF the others in the almost condemnation Of
their fcllow-citizens, and the fourth, Gaines, in
being ordered to Washington. But the campaign
has been carried on successfully. General Tay-
lor has i'll the most gallant manner exricated him.
self from an exceedingly perilous position. He
never complained Of the danger to which he had
been unnecessarily exposed both in front and rear
he never once thought Of taking up the pen
until he had first made trial of the sword and in
spite Of the superiority of the force that opposed
him, he bravely resolved to rescue his little army
or die in the attempt. We have seen the resultant
IT Is glorious one! 1t has covered his brow with
laurels, and it is supposed that it in the minds
OF many of his fellow citizens, to give him more
substantial token Of their appreciation, than mere
y to admire the laurels which he has so CALAMITY
won. In this age Of vice and folly let virtue have
an ample reward.
But what is to be the reward OF Generals Scott
Gaines and Worth! General Gaines has acted
periodically, but without orders, and Generals
Scott and Worth have acted foolishly.
What would the French Government have said,
had Marshal Beaugaud refused to go to Algiers,
on the plea that, by SO doing, he might lose his
chances of being appointed to the premiership of
France Or, what would the English have done,
had Sir Hugh Cough declined serving in India on
similar frivolous pretext Why, they would
have cour-martialled and dismissed him.
We are not the mimics of either the Eng
fish or French governments, but in this
they should be strictly initiated. 1t is to this sys-
tenn of obedience, from the highest officer to
the private in the ranks, that they are indebted
for the great success Of their arms
II is, perhaps, enough for us, however, that
we have supreme public opinion. Generals
Games, Scott, and Worth, are brave men; they
were baptized on the field of battle Generals Scott
and Worth will never again act foolishly as they
have done, and no one will ever think of passing
a breath OF censure on General Gaines; for his
motives were too patriotic for that. With all,
public opinion is the court-martial.
Our MINISTER IN LoNDoS.-When the Ameri-
can people. through the length and breadth of
the country, arc congratnlating each other on the
settlement of the Oregon question, and, with
that, the settlement of the question of peace or
war, we ought not TO forget the man whose SER
vices aided materially in bringing about this for
tunate state of things. When the halls of Con-
gress resounded with the war notes Of the ultras
of all parties, and the chance of a war with Eng
land probable, our interchangeable minister to Lon
don, while suffering under severe bodily indispo-
sition, was quietly ut work, endeavoring to avert
a calamity from his country, which would roll
back the tide Of prosperity, and make thousands
of widows and orphans. To the well-timed ex-
ertions OF Mr.. McLane is the country probably
indebted for the early settlement of this question.
We do tia tho st,1r, ,a-oud have