The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-07

GEN. SHIELDS AND SENATOR BRKEsE.-Since the
operate fracds between Benedict and Fry, and
Forests famous sscard'' to Macready, there has
been no public event of bellIcose character, on
this eide Of the Atlantic to equal the extraordinary
correspondence We have published of Gen. Shields
and Judge B-eese. Indeed, we might safely ex-
tend the contrast to wider sphere and more re-
mote period, and challenge any civilized country
IN the world, or any age, however hoary
in antiquity, to produce parallel to the atrabihous
ebulhton of the gallant General. II stands, we
believe, faciie 2r,neeps and unless we revert to-
state OF savagery and barbarsm, will retain this
unenviable pre- emnence for all time.
If we lived In a country where an Objectionable
form of government was established, and where
even bad laws i'll force for the redress of the
public and private wrongs to which individuals
might be subjected, there would be scarcely any
justification for the tire ats of an ASSASSIN, or for
resort to the bowie knife or the revolver. But in
country like this, where the government is mould
ed In accordance with the wishes of the people,
and where the legislatures, the executive, and the
laws, the free emanation of the will OF the ma
Jority, nothing can pallate or excuse the lawless
and sanguinary menaces of Cen Shields. The
petty and insignificant complaints, also, which
have excited such an outpourng OF the gall of the
gallant General-and which, if there be any reliance
placed in the ferocious lntimatio he gives Senator
Breese, must eventuate IN the inevitable assass,.
nation OF the latter deprive the former of the
only pretext which his warmest friends could offer
for his atrocious conduct Had the crlme of the
Senator been OF that deep dye for which hum ian laws
give neither solace nor atOnement, there would be
no justification, though there might be some pallia-
ton for such horrible revenge as that threatened
by the gallant General. But what conclusion can
any dispassionate judgment come to, when, &C.
cording to the showing of Gen. Shields himself.
his sole complaints were that Senator Breese de.
clined to attend a complimentary dinner given to
him; that he had stated Gen. Shields was lnellg.
bic to the Office OF Senator, and that he did not
give him certificate OF naturalization unsolicited!
This is the total Of the casws bs, as far az wo
can gather from Gen. Shields letter.
We are sorry, on account Of the well-woa repu-
tatlon of General Shields in Mexico, that he has
allowed his aurels to be tarnlshed by such unwar-
rantsble and disgraceful conduct. But the cha
racter Of our country Is too dear to u.s. the repdta
ton of our public men, at home and abroad, Is of
loo great moment IN our eyes, to permit 50 fragrant
a violation Of all public and private proprlety to
pass without the strongest possible expression Of
our censure and Indignation. Such, indeed, is the
feeling Of the whole community, who are lost In
establishment and regret that the gallant warrior
who SO recently distinguished himself in his coun-
try's service, should SO far forget his own self
respect his respect Tor the laws Of his country as
well as his own proud position in public estima.
ton, as to descend to the language Of a"rowdy"
ard the threats OF an assassin.
We know not what course the honorable body
to which General Shields has been recently elect
ed may take with regard to this matter, or
whether they will not ce it at all; but we arc Of
opinion that 1t is incumbent on them, il they wish
to retain the respect of the community whom they
represent, or the good opinion of foreign nations,
to take the earliest opportunity to express their
sentiments on such unprecedented and scandalous
conduct on the part Of one Of their members