New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-22
ROMANTIC JOURNALISM.

of our neighbors on the Italian Quadrilaterar
and "the elbows of the Mincio, nothing has ap
peared more amusing than late leader in one
of our most respectable and generally well in
formed evening journals on the romantic
aspects of tho Mexican struggle" To this
Journal, if the article in question be fair ex'
ample. all the reports Of the shifting scene Of
Mexican politics are indeed " foOlishness and
a stumbling block to ordinary cOmprehensions;
but slight examination of even ordinary
maps and reference to the journals OF
Mexico, or eyen'to the columns of The TRIBUNE,
would have spared our neighbor much of his
editorial suffering, and have rendered his article
ineligible even to "ordinary comprehensons. I"
We say that we were amused to find our
neighbor wandering in the shadow of his own
fancies; but We can more justly say that we
were too grieved to find SO much that is unjust
to a brave people, struggling against domestic
treason and foreign violence, to derive even the
consolation of amusement.
We will recapitulate the history Of the Next
can struggle, and endeavor to correct, in a
rapid recital, the most marked blunders of our
contemporary.
In the month of December, 1861 the Spanish
naval forces, under Admiral Rubalcava, in an
tcipation Of the action of the Allied Powers took
possession of Vera Cruz without firing gun,
President Juarez having withdrawn his troops
from the coast in order TO defend the passes
leading to the interior. This bloodless conquest
Is thus described by our contemporary:
"The enemy came and attacking the sssporss
bled b. mssns sfhs military Inventions and by almost
unlimited resources united to the undoubted bravery and
boness Of their forces seize aud hold Vera Cruz and
then proceeding inland to approach the cspital'sf"
But while the brilliancy of the siege Of Vera
Cruz was thus fancifully portrayed our learned
and historical friend passes by without word
of comment the gallant defense by the Mexi-
cans of Puebla, where q Marshal of France,
with IS, 900 men, was detained for month in
q siege which attracted the attention OF the
world. .t
Puebla having been captured by the French,
President Juarez, in accordance with his pre-
conceived plan, withdrew his forces TO the in
terror, and fell back upon a system OF guerrilla
warfare, with success which the pamphlet OF
Mslespine recently issued in France and trans
lated for our columns, under the title of 1.-THE
Solution of the Mexican Question" fully ac-
The French having established themselves in
the City of Mexico and secured line of conf
munication to the coast, moved upon the main
road to the interior, passing through Queretaro,
and Guadalaiara which they sever
ally occupied. Expeditions were also pushed to
San Luis de Potosi and TO Morela, the capital
Of the State Of Michoacsn. At this point bat
tie subsequently occurred between the National
forces under Gen. Uraga and the Imperial forces
under Gen. Marquee, who held the town. This
Is the battle which our contemporary calls the
"a field of Moree," and which he compares to
Bull Run and Fredericksburg; but twas neither
important in itself nor in its consequences.
French journalists and critics are all Of one
mind a. to the fact that the expedition cannot
result in success unless the forces be swelled;
and yet We hear OF N, regntorcements going for
ward to Mexico; but, .on the contrary, each mail
rom France brings u a new discussion in the
French Chambers as TO the best way OF getting
)ut those that are already in.
The French Emperor has not been hailed as
he great regeneration of Mexican institutions,
and is compelled to play the unwilling part OF
IN unwelcome invader.
When tho French reached Mexico, Juarez
withdrew to Ssltillo and broke up his forces
INTO guerrilla bands. Here again our cOtempo-
AIRY enters the field of romantic geography and
history. Saltillo, it will be remembered, is be-
.ween the City of Mexico and Monterey.
i Doblsdo, who had been . member of his
Cabinet, and who held the important fortress of
Monterey, refused to the President of Mexico,
lis legitimate commandcr-in.chief, the protec-
ion OF his forces. Juarez then went to Saitillo,
where Vidaurri was stationed; but this officer,
90, received his President, who was by the
Constitution bis military superior, with the ut
most GOODNESS, sc. &c. President Juarez could
10 longer with dignity remain even under his
nominal protection, and 81 has retired TO tho |
,eighb0ring town of Santa Catarina, perhaps to
,e overtaken by new misfortunes," &C., &c.,
md so on, with sundry similar statements OF
act and sage conclusions from the imaginary
premises. ..,.. .,,s. =,
Now, Monterey isnot fortress, but the capital
# the States of Nuevo Leon and Coahuila, and
he residence Of Vidaurri, the Governor Of these
States. Gen. DOblado is at Saltillo, in COM
p,pd ,f n ,o.t oe tho N(axioan troons and acting