Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-05-27
ANTONIO CANALEs.

AN OFFrR OF A Swiss REoMEEr-It il
stated on the authority of letter from Basic
that eight hundred Swiss young men have de.
termlned upon making an offer OF their servi
ces to the United States, to enter the army a.
soldiers; and thereupon the Richmond En-.
quircr gravely concludes that ''ihe offer fur,
nishes evidence Of the strong impression made
upon the Swiss patriots in favor Of the justice
Of the war;"
Mr.. Polk should BY all means emigra,e to
Switzerland, and settle down among these
eight hundred Swiss patriots, who are so anx
ious TO engage in the business Of killing the
people OF another nation. with whom hsy,
certainly, have no cause Of Quarrell IL the
Enquirer is right, they hold opinions Of this
war opposed TO those held by the great body Of
our own people, and Mr. Polk, whose wat
this is, should be glad TO be among them, that
| they might "aid and comfort" him in the
deep affection he suffers from the sense OF his
own countrymen, who pronounce this wal
unnecessary and unjust If these Swiss dc
believe, as it is inferred they do, that this wal
- just, they must be men after Mr. Polk s own
heart. We should rather suppose, however.
that their desire to engage in it is prompted by
the pay which they expect 10 receive; and
that TO the justice or injustice of the war, they
are as indifferent as was the renowned Capt.
Dalgetty of Sir Walter Scott, as TO the side on
which he fought, provided i, was the side that
paid best. They can hardly have made their
offer in thessprit that moved the Young Irish
man, who had wandered off into this country,
and was engaged in sociable conversation
with some ladies', al the time row broke out
under the window where he was sitting. His
- tt<e fsl
and his sympathetic eye remarked at once the
flourish Of shilaah. Hehestated not a mo-
ment, but rising, he rushed out Of the room,
saying, Ladies, excuse me for Anew moments;
there is fight, the first have seen since | left
Ireland, and must take hand in it, Ishould
never excuse myself, it let such an opportu-
nifty pass unimproved." The story does no,
say how the descendant OF the MIlesians en-
joyed his fight. 1t was not, however, he love
ofthe thing. but the profit it procured. which
induced this offer Of eight hundred Swiss
They fight, because it is their voca,ion--lhe
means BY which they live.
Ra,it is said Mr.. Polk will no, accept the
offer. Why not2 Does j, make any differ
ence TO us what manner Of men they are who
kill the Mexicans--who storm their towns
who commit the murders of the unof1ending
OF which We hear BY almost every account
from that disordered country? II makes no
manner o. difference to the poor Mexican who
pulled the trigger which sent the ball, or held
the sword, that let his life's blood out. Death
will not be stripped fits terrors, nor the hon.
icide ofi,s wanionness, as il may be dealt by
native OF this country or OF another country.
Let the eight hundred Swiss be engaged
the business killing is work of their liking
for there is proverb which says they are
indifferent on which side they fight, so they
are paid. Ifthey are accepted, ~ we see no
reason why they should not be-. Mr.. Polk, il
he cannot get Mr.. Benton or Mr.. Marcy TO
lead them TO the fight, should take the COM
mand himself. There would be a~ftness IN
his leading regiment Of Swiss soldiers--be
has SO long acted with the politicians who be-
long TO the Swiss school.-Bak. Pat.