The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-27
NEW YORK, SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 81, s47.

entire machinery is being made with the exact
est mathematical precision, and finished IN the
most exqui site manner. -,
The design of the engines at once shows the
perfection to which the enterprising company
have carried their business. The huge beams
are fitted into each other so as 10 defy the Keen
est eye to detect the joint. Even In the most
difficult curves, where brass castings are fitted
in, the joining Is perfect. The parts finished are
polished in the highest style, and the engines,
competition. To give some idea Of the magni-
tude of the machinery, we may state that the
double engine:-for each Of the vessels is to have
double engine-and boilers, when fitted up,
will amount TO nearly six hundred tons.
The other vessels have not been brought to the
works, but they are all launched, and the engines
company on having placed its vessels in able
hands. We have no doubt but, when the
line, they will prove themselves superior to any
afoat tor elegance and convenience, as well as
for safety and speed.
TIE IMPENDING CIVIL WAR IN SWITZERLAND.
From LIE Courier Suisse
The civil war to which we are in course OF i'm
pulls has, Independently of its political ncon-
veniences, this very odious and detestable tea-
ture-that cantons far more populous and wealthy
In material point of view, are preparing to in
wade those that are weaker and poorer, with the
evident design OF destroying the equality frights
to which all consented on entering the circle OF
| the confederation. The federal contingent of the
twelve and half cantons amounts to sc, 900 men,
|
to ii 900 1t was not the custom of the ancient
Swiss to fight five against one, and we cannot
| think there Is ever much honor to be achieved in
| such campaign. The real inequality Of the
| respective forces, however, is not so conside-
rable as people imagine. 1t is agreed, that the
| Grisons will advance no troops; Soleure, Tessi-
no, and Geneva are equally paralyzed. The same
| is the case with Argovia, at least regards the
greater portion of it's contingent. The Roman
Catholic, or mixed States, that would 60 to war
would be exposed to the greatest dangers in the
interior, il they chose their own people and be-
| fore the enemy II they proceeded otherwise.
| AS to st. Gall, it will only vOte-if it
vote at all ON condition of not marching; and
far from furnishing single man to the federal
army, 1T will occupy part thereof by the neces-
sty OF observing It,.
! The contingent of the remaining cantons hard
| ly exceeds 10000 men. As n set-of, the States
Of the alliance, long menaced, and knowing the
| forces against which they would have to con-
tend, have made the most extraordinary efforts
to arm and organise the whole of their popula-
ton in a military capacity, without even ex-
| cepung the women. These iandsturme, some of
whom are destitute of fire arms, have been made
Il subject of derision, and the very extent of
these preparations has been used pretex t for
keeping the population OF the cantons subject to
the radical sway in state of the most insane
deluson The sithes and the m0rgensterne
(mornlng stars) of the iandsturme have caused
them to forget their contingents, the iand,cehr,
and the extraordinary batalions in their rear, as
well armed, at least, as those of their adverse
res, better drilled, and exalted by the sentiments
of religious duty, and by the sufferings to which
they are subjected by the footing Of war which
has lasted so long amongst them; finally, well
acquainted with the localities, and defending
their very hearths and affairs.
The canton of Friburg alone can advance TO-
600 regular troops, including, at least, 5000 de-
voted soldiers. An eminent citizen, resident in
the interior OF Switzerland, whose opinions are
esteemed as very moderate by his neighbors, re
Gently announced, In private letter, which we
have seen with our own eyes, that the alliance
was prepared to advance 80, 600 fighting men. =
This number adduced by man engaged in one
| of the camps, may be suspected of exaggeration;
but, making some abatement, and even great
deal, sufficient IS left to induce singular refiec-
tions. These forces, in fact, balance and exceed
the available contingents; tor every one will,
doubtless, perceive that, In civil war, more
troops are requisite for acts of aggression than
for acts of defence, especially when the latter
| enjoy the advantages OF ground, entertainments,
and succors of all kinds. The aggressive can
tons, therefore, will not succeed in their enter
prise by means of the federal contingents alone;
Tlsy W i'll have 10 march reserves and volunteers.
But, in this case the character of the war is
pletely changed; ii Is no longer what is called
war Of execution" for the Diet can only employ
in the " execution" of its DEGREES the forces of
which it disposes, according to the terms of the
compact. When foreign forces are, to be OPP
posed, the federal authority may, no doubt, order
levee en- masse !; but the idea OF exercising the
functions of police by means of ierecs en- masss
has never been talked OF. The diet can only de-
mand from the cantons their contingent The
rest depends entirely upon the pleasure of the
cantonal governments. If certain cantons-
Berne and Vaud, eI gra.-enist their entire
population in the struggle, we must hear no
more talk of the execution of the DEGREES OF
the diet" or of "federal measures" but of a
duel of cantons with cantons
The thing is clear enough for it is assuredly
| impossible TO imagine that cantons which, on
their own account, will not have furnished a
| single soldier, can have the impudence to con-
stitute themselves a majority for the purpose of
ordering others TO levy their very last man.
roAI nno in, III r
those cantons which would give marching orders
in the diet, when they themselves had made up
their minds not to do anything of the kind The
thing is not merely odious, 1t is unjust. The
moment a federal measure is at issue, it ought to
be federally-that is to say, quitably-executed,
and all the cantons ought to be called upon to
concur in it, according TO- the federal scale The
cantonal government which might levy troops,
without the other cantons Cat ali events, those Of
the Majority having ordered any to march,
would do of its own free will for, in reality,
it would in nowise be bound to do so it would,
therefore, sacrifice It's population of its own free
will, and could not shelter itself behind the duty
of obeying the commands OF the diet. In such a
case, nevertheless, the soldiers would have to
march, since such a sacrifice is permitted, if not
compulsory and, consequently, the government
to which they owe obedience would command
| in all the competence OF Its authority. But, as
citizens, they would have to Judge this act and,
in order to do SO with effect, they must be made
prelminarily acquainted with all its bearings.
The Journal des Debats contains the following
sketch of M. de Sails Sogio, commander-in-chie
of the army Of the Sonderbund: General Sail,
Soglio was born at Coire, in the canton Of tn,
Grisons. In 1S4l the Diet appointed him fedora
colonel. In 1874 the Vorort OF Lucerne appoint
ed him to command the federal troops, which Il
convoked in the beginning of May, on the coca
sion of the events OF the Valas. The resistance
made by Berne and Vaud to the orders of the
Vorort, and on the other hand the promptitude
with which the contest was terminated IN the
Valnis. prevented the assembling of the army
commanded by General de Sails. In conse-
quence of some family misfortunes, residence
at Coire became insupportable to nun, ana !, ne
eagerly accepted an offer made him to direct the
system of defence adopted by the Sonderbund.
He repaired to Lucernc last January, and he has
been since actively employed in acqnitting HIM
veiIed tbrouq6 each canton of the Sonderbund,