The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-10-29

or- yic'er.c..
We need make no apology Tor GliEg up
SO large space in to-day's paper with the
frs, authentic accounts that have been re-
cciycd ofihc great Victories before the city
ofMcUco. 80 glorious are these, and 80
lorcitly and proudly do they proclaim the
inyncible energy and courage of the Ame-
rican Soldier, that in, our rejoicing We are
almost tempted to forget the fearful price at
which they were purchased, aud the many
thousand hearts that will be wrung by ,hi,
terrible record Of deaths doiucs. l, is d
strange tale, and has no parallel in history,
that an army little over ten thousand men.
should approach the capital Of 4 nation Of
seven millions Of pcople-that capital de-
Tended by 3, 900 men all strongly entrercA-
ed-and SHOULD take point after point--iyr-
tiicaliou after foriicaton- always by
storm and against triple their own number
Until fuIliy the whole Of that immense
army is routed and dispersed, aid the proud
capital made 10 fall al easy prize into their
hands. Against a nation OF untulored bar
barism, unskil!cd and 'unpractiScd in the
science Of war, this would be no great feat.
The English against the Chinese, or hunting
the ignorant and terror strick cniiindoc in the
jupg!es Of India, may beat their five to one.
and the world look on with no other amaze
ment than that excited 10y the ruthlessness
and cruelty Of nation that wants. supcri-
or civilization and refinement. But in this
war with Mexico, our soldiers meet foe
possessing all the advantages Of civilization.
skllful and cunning leaders, the same mu-
nionS Of war, and guided by the light OF
science equally with themselves, and their
only advantage is the proud one arising
from superior energy and uuAinching, daunt-
less, determined Lcroi.m.
While, as Americans, we thus speak with
pride aud eXuiation Of the achievements of
our gallant array in the field, We have no
less reason 10 be proud of the grace with
which they bear their victories. 1t is
beautiful, as it is rare, commentary on these
brilliant achievements, that no sooner is the
foe a, his feet, than tie American comman-
der enjoinS Il upon his mcn 10 be 'Sobcr,
orderly, and mercilul," threatening to pun
ISL all guilty of the least outrage. And
there is no difficulty in obtaining perfect
obedience to these humane commands, For.
cgncrS in the city of Mexico, who may be
considered 10 some extent impartial Judges,
are aStoniShcd at the moderation exhibited
by the American troops. One ofthCm wri-
ting from the city, says, ~ foreigner my
self, and having seen warfare in Europe
towards the end Of Napo,e,n'S military ca.
recr, |, Judging by comparison, give it a.
my sincere and candid opinion that fla CON
tincnal army had been stoned and fired up
on by the population Of Il vanquishcd city.
the inhabitants would have been dealt with
rather roughly"
The same writer says, .The Americans
have covered themselves with glory in all
the battles fought in Mexico they are all
and each of them heroes. 1t is great thing
to see ahandful of Americans cut their way
through 300 miles Of dense population and
hoist the star-Spangled banner on the domes
tths capital
AS to the prospect Of peace we believe
the opinion TO be general that it is as far Of
as crcr. The stubborncSS Of the Mexican
character is proverbial, and every disaster
only increases that stubbornesS. When
once the feelings of the populace generally
are enlisted in the contest, the expectation
of subduing them and gaining their submits.
sion, must be hopeless. The history of tin
war of Independence wagod for over ten
, years with Spain, shows the fitility Of eve.
ry attempt to enforce the submission Of the
country by taking her strongholds. Crue
and dastardly in character, robbers and
| cut.ihroats 10y nature, capable of subsistinl
, on less than fourth of what an American
would require, roaming Oh horses from
, mountain fasness TO fastncss, II boots li,i!,
n with large portion Of the Mexican popula
|. ton whether the country is nj war or a
Y peace. The only course left for our 20