Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-07-29
WE commented. Yesterday, upon the late nav

We commented, yesterday, upon the late naval OK
plot at San Juan, and so impressed are wa with th
grandeur and magnificence Of the thing, that we ar
unable to resist the temptation to recur to 1t agar
We have never known any affair to produce SO pow
erful and universal sensation In the public mind
The whole country is agape with establishment Eve
~ body is surprised and start Mt the thought o
such unparalleled daring such wonderful and roman
tic gallantry such needless and desperate disregard
OF ball, powder and death. There is nothing like II
in all the records Of history. Not even Gen. Cas-
in the act Of breaking his unconscious sword upon
stump, exhibited n moro chvarous and determined
courage. Surely, the names of the persons partic-
patng in this great and glorious engagement gene
and g. ateful country will never forget. They
have immortazed themselves and covered tho Ameri-
can Navy with mperishable glory. dcienseleSS
village of four hundred inhabitants has been reduced
TO ashes This tremendous feat was accomplished by
an American vessel in something less than day, and
without the loss of single life. Somnch for having
great military genius at the head Of the govern
ment.
We can scarcely believe yet, that so signal aud
brilliant victory could have been achieved in so
short time without resort to some unfair advan
tage We are disposed to fear that the Brigadier in
the glory of the country has had recourse TO some
desperate and ubiquitous stratagem Indeed we great
ly fear that he employed mysterious ''nierpa
machine" in the destruction of the Inflated village o.
San Juan We trust it may turn out not to he So hut
confess fears st onger than our hopes In
ferna machines however, said TO be in use among
the crowned heads and royal governments of Europe
and not prepared to assert that the Brgadiei
has not right, i'll imitation of such example, To use
them Also We recommended to him sometime ago
to supply himself with them, in order that he nigh,
be enabled to show of to as good all advantage as
other distinguished rulers. The only thing object
10 is that he should have turned them against
citizens but then lis exceeding ierccneSs militia
ny hero and his passionate desire defend the honor OF
the country, probably disarmed him Of his usual dis
creon, and constrained him 10 do what in his cooler
moments, he would never have thought Of doing
We can excuse him, therefore, upon the ground OF
excessive Patriotism, and in cOnSle alton of his natu
raj turn for military affairs The country should re
Joice that its honor and interest in the keeping Of
so original and dashing genius, and that they have
been recently defended in manner gallant, deS-
peratc, and so completely successful. England and
France may boast Of their determination TO lombard
such Insignificant places Cronstadt and the like;
- --rr~'''e 49, -...."0.l e, dHmnl;shin" how
would that achievement compare with the quick AMI
glorious work which the Brigadier made Of the int
resting village Of San Juan? The allied navy may
accomplish wonders, but if it expects to beat our
10 long as we have Mr. Pierce to direct its operations
our transatlantic neishhors destined to sad
disappointment They may boast Of their victories
and conquests as much they please and bring
the Russian bear to their feet. but we proudly
point to the spot where San Juan STOOL and bid
them remember that such too will certainly be their
fate if they dare to show their teeth OF snap their
fingers at our Brigadier.