Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-01-18

condition of Europe, is believed, by some
parties, to be highly probable, from the
latest intelligence. We have seen MANY
speculatioas of the press, to this effect
In an article reviewing the events which
have occurred within the last twelve
months, the Charleston News sums IN
the whole in the following language:
Euroye thus presents this anomalous
position. In the West, a Republac, hay
ing for its base the sovereignty ofthe peo-
pie, and for its apex, a chief not chosen
for personal merit or public service, but
the inheritor ola name. In the East,
an Au,ocracy, gigantic in its proportions,
overshadowine Turkey and Poland, and
possessing in its treasures and armies the
means of REFRESHING the balance Of
power, in almost auy manner that suits
its interests; whilst in the centre we be-
hold al abdication, and the elevation
by the people, of a boy, with Con-
stitutionaI monarchy decaeed by the grace
ofGoG These events contain the germs
of fresh commissions, and the only ques-
ton seems to be the duration of the
reactionary influence by which the
conflicting elements have been reconciled,
and any about to enter into new combi-
ations. How long can physical force,
dissected by a high military organization,
and the lingering remains of hereditary
%veneration and feudal traditions, arrest
the spirit of progress and the march of
liberal ideas!
The MEXIcANs.-At a recent dinner
in New York, given to Col. DUNCAN, that
officer thus sroke of the officers and SOL
dlers of the Mexican army, and we have
no doubt it is but a just tribute to their
gaIlantry:
"Not a few Of our countrymen," said
Col. u, 'l.ave attributed these successes
american victories, to the pusilIanimity
of our foe. This, in my humble iudg-
ment, is doing injustice, not only to the
Mexican nation, but to our own. In the
early battles the Mexicans stood up to
their works as well as troops usually do,
if not better. Speakingof Palo Alto, an
old Texan fighter said to me-: Sir, these
Mexicans do stand killing mighty we'll l,
for one, am free to confess that thought
SO at the time; and the night after the bat
tie | doubt if | were the onlyman incamp
who entertained this opinion. At Resaca,
the American and Mexican troops fell,
not as single individuals, but in number
that distinctly marked the respective lines,
for weeks after the battle, with less than
the width of this room of one another.
This is close enough for all practical pur-
poses except that of the bayonet; and in
some instances even that instrument was
used. Their officers of rank are gener-
ally man of fair intelligence ard educa-
ton, and many of them are even of the
best professional requirements. Scarce
Iy a battle was fought in which these
officers were not killed and wounded in
their due proportion, and sometimes in
more than their due proportion. At
Cerro Gordo, M General officer (Gen-
eral Vasquez, was killed whilst in tile act
of cheering his men, long after all hope
of maintaining his position was passed;
and his two aids, Initiating him) one
a Colonel and the other a Captain, were
MORALLY wounded by his side. Verify,
to my mind, this looks more like heroism
than cowardice. ! have myself witnessed,
and other officers must have witnessed,
examples Of personal gallantry on the
part ofboth men and officers of the Mex
lean army that would reflect honor upon
any troops in the world"
Oratory ofHorace Greely.-Indepen-
dent, the Washington correspondent of
the Philadelphia North American, speak
ing of the motion to refer the Presidents
Message to the Standing Committee,
says: ."f
"Mr. Greedy spoke on the reference,
and was bonored with the attention of the
House-a compliment of no ordinary cha
racter to a new member. He evinced a
clear and comprehensive knowledge of
the subject, confined himself to the point,
and made a very favorable impression.
An orator, such as Brutus was, he is not;
but in his speech, there is dignity, con-
fdence and courtesy; qualities which Sc