The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-23

| to the efficacy of the French charter. There Is,
however, a good deal of truth in this remark
| The constitution of government must exist In
the living minds of an intelligent people, In or
der to give permanent vigor TO its written en-
actments.
The French journals are trying to find parallels
between the States General OF 1877, IN Paris,
and that of the Diet now sitting in Berlin; The
aae is different-the two nations are different
| the state of mems minds is different-and
above all, the German people are more quiet,
sober, and persevering than the French. Yet
should not at all be surprised, if the opening of
the Prussan Diet were to be the beginning of a
social, political and religious revolution in Eu-
rope, that will surpass any event of the kind
that ever took place In the world. In Ger
many, there are nearly fifty millions who
write and speak the same language are
animated by the same ideas-possess the same
traditions-entertain the same general pur-
poses of reform in all the departments of ex-
istence. There is also much more correct po-
litical knowledge among the Germans than
among the French. Germany has great many
large cities-but no single capital to which
every other city looks up for fresh newsstand
first ideas. 1t is the aggregate active intellect of
Germany that produces public opinion and moral
weight-and not the sudden emeute of turbu-
lent population, set in motion by agitation, in
single capital. A revolution in Germany will
be slow, gradual, certain, onward process,
like the rise of the tide the growth of forest
and not sudden explosion, containing equal
proportions of liberty and licentiousness--to be
succeeded by despotism or corruption in all the
avenues of society and government.
like the Germans-as people they, probably,
| form more liberal and correct opinion of the
| United States than any other in Europe.
| But to return to General Taylor and the war
| on the Rio Grande. The accounts by the last
steamer had left that gallant man VICTOR 1t is
| true in the field, but still surrounded and en-
closed by the Mexicans in such a way as to
leave his position critical. Every American
here believed that he would overcome his diff
cuties, and his dispatches satisfied that belief
but all unite in censuring the imbecility and in
Justice of the American government-both Pre-
sident and Congress-in conspiring to place him
in that unequal and untoward position. We are
still anxious for the next news about Vera Cruz |
and until that comes we will be porting over
the last accounts, to extract comfort from their |
contents.
Among military men, General Taylor is
considered one of the greatest generals of |
the age. 1t is asserted, without hesitation,
that he has performed as much with the
means at his command, as ever Napoleon or We'll
lington did. l was informed this morning by
gentleman, formerly distinguished diplomatist
in Europe, that Marshal Soult, on reading the
recent news, and particularly Gen. Taylor's de-
spatches, declared, in emphatic language
Volta un soldat'-as much as to say ga great
general-a very great general" These are pri-
vate opinions naturally coming from competent
judges, but such ideas are never allowed to In
f1uence the press or general thought, which is
| invariably hostile to American affairs
The treatment of General Taylor by his own
government, in giving the chief command to
| another, and in taking from him his best troops,
| is very much blamed here by every American
On this point there is no division of opinion.
/ trust that before this can reach New York,
every anticipation that we now entertain of &C.
neral Taylor, will have come out right end up
permost. His talents-his moderation--his wis
dom-hs mOdesty-the simple dignity of his de-
spatches-and his conduct in the field and in the
council, have already created in Europe a
greater name for American capacity and power,
than any event since the revolution or the deeds
of Washington. Whatever be the character
of the motives which caused the Mexican war;
there is no getting rid of that business without
fighting it out at any cost. The United States
must exert at once sufficient force to close it
gloriously. The governments of Western Eu-
rope are only waiting chance to interfere to
our disadvantage. ! have heard it said that Sc
cret overtures have been made here by agents
| from Mexico, to establish monarchy there; in
order to check and oppose, on the Ameri-
he nf h
lican ideas which have their principal CEN
trail power in the United States | am per-
fectly sure that all the leading governments
on this continent would gladly embrace any
policy that had for its object the curaiment and
dminution of the power and influence of the |
United States, which threatens to be the great |
leading republican power throughout the civil
lized world. Direct hostilities with the United |
States are too dangerous to the commercial in
terests of France and England, to venture upon |
that kind of policy; but indirect aid and assist
ance furnished to Mexico, to enable that nation
to carry on the war, would, no doubt, be gladly
adopted, particularly if it were coupled with
prospect of establishing a monarchy in Mexico,
as direct counterpoise to the United States
If the Mexican war continue another year,
and if it should not be followed up with bril-
liancy and decision on the part of the United
States, the American people may expect some
very grave and very important Intervention, or
attempt at Intervention, on the part of Europe
The monarchies of Europe are only waiting for
proper chance to form coalition for this pur-
pose. They hate, and fear, and deprecate the
American republic, as a central point of great in
fuence and great injury to the government sys-
TENS of Europe. This dangerous republican
power has been fearfuly increased of late, by
the establishment of steamers across the Allan
tic, the rapidity and interchange of political in
teligence, and particularly by the last great de-