The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-28

own hands, before the bloody strife actually
begins and places the peaceful settlement of
the quarrel between North and South beyond
their control. The news which we publish else
where proves manifestly that Congress is no
longer to be relied on; that the government is
powerless; and that unless the people Of every
city and town, but especially the masses of
New York, arise in their might, appoint COM
mittees and vigilance committees Of public
safety, and insist upon peace and harmony,
there are horrors before us which the imagsna-
ton shrinks from contemplating.
Above all things It Is In the power of Mr..
Lincoln, even now, to plant himselfupon sure,
safe foothold; 10 consider the immincnce Of the
emergency; to soar above the paltry shackles
of party, and to be- what Washington, Madison
and Jefferson have been before him, father to
the people He can still, by raising his voice
in time, be the instrument of guiding the coun-
~ back to its pristine condition, and, by re-
commencing to both South and North such
amendments to the constitution as shall define
and maintain forever the rights of each, carve
in the history of this confederation. But,
above all things, he should array his influence
against every tendency opposed TO concilia-
ton, forbcarance, and the largest amount of
liberation by different sections Of the respec
tive Institutions Of each.
Tux NEws FROM MExIco-THE LIBERALS
AGAIN CHEcKEp.--A few days ago every one
thought the days OF the church party in Mexico
were numbered.
After the fall of Guadalajara, the fight
of Castillo with small remnant Of his forces,
and the rout of Marquee, the road to the
capital was thrown open to the advancing
liberals who. to the number OF twenty-five
thousand men, flushed with repeated victories,
advanced on the last stronghold of their oppo-
ncnts. who could not have had more than one
third that number with which to defend the
last prop that remained to the lettering for
in the beginning of the present month,
and no doubt Ortcga sat down before
It's walls with mind perfectly at
case as TO the result From the reports
furnished us of the assertions from Miramons
army and the disorganized state in which it is
represented to have been, and which each day
must have increased, we awaited with conf
dencc the news Of the speedy fall of the city, the
annihilation of the clergy regime and the in
auguration Of an era of peace. But imam pro-
poses and God disboses." We had always half
suspected that Miramon had genius. That he
has great energy and indomitable pluck cannot
be denied whatever may be his faults; yet, ac-
cording TO all human appearances, nothing
short OF miracle could save him now. But
genius and energy work miracles. Surrounded
by a force three times the number of his own,
led by The best generals in the republic, his
own muinous and fai,hless, Miramon's courage
never for moment quahed; but, taking few
of the most reliable, he issues quietly from his
stronghold, and, inspiring his men with his own
impetuous yalor, pours down on his unsuspect-
ing sluGgard enemy, and rctires with twelve
hundred Of Them in his clutches, including three
general officers. Two OF them being the we'll
known Degollado, late COMMANDMENTS Chief,
and Berriczabal. This, in military view,
is n scyerc blow TO the liberals, who,
however. never were match for Miramons
consummstc military ability. He has always
tbrashed them in the field. But on this occa-
sion he has been too successful; for in taking
Degollado from the liberal army be has
done u signal service to that cause.
From his imbecility as leader his NEEDLE
some and impcrious conduct Dcgollado
has done more mischief to his party than
would half dozen such disasters as that
which Miramon has just inflicted on them. If
the liberals could just manage TO get all their
troublesome and incompetent leaders of their
hands in the same manner they would advance
their cause no little. They may thank their
stars they have got rid Of Degollado.
Notwithstanding this check, the liberal cause
is not retarded in the least; for, with all his
prestige and genius Miramon can do nothing,
unless backed by material aid, which he sadly
needs and we still expect TO hear OF the fall Of
the city and the flight or capture Of the
sYoung Lion of the church; unless, as Is pos
sible, the morale Of the liberal army should be
injured and the men affected by a cowardly
dread Of Miramon's very name, and that terror
in the presence Of an enemy superior in genius
and skill which is common enough in the
military annals IL the world.
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A WoRp ~ THE CENTRAL PARK Coaars-
sroSEns.-ln our younger days. before people