The New York herald., 1864-03-15

~SAaS6ssA - ~ ASAA SAAOu8 AtD 02Ws
Reflections,
&C., &c.. 0e.
We publish below . highly interesting article okEr
American affairs from the pen OF General Juan Prm,
Count OF Reus and Marquis OF Castleos, who recently
visited this country The article which has been
lated for columns, well worthy Of careful pe-
rusa, and we therefore give II entire:-
MADRID, Feb. 70, 1854.
Tho military Importance OF the United States had been
unknown In Spain and In Europe except in England,
unt.the breaking OF the between the Northern
ana Southern states Old Europe has gone for many
years believing that the United States nation OK
shopkoepers, occupying itself principally In increasing
It's commerce so as 70 augment ts wealth without taking
any whatever Of It's military affairs. Because ig
permanent army-reduced TO a few thousands Of men,
intended to defend the frontierswas not TO be seen
In the parks and pubic streets Of Its great cities be-
the foreigner, arriving in New Orleans, New
York, Philadelphia, In Washington, did nos
anywhere observe sentncs guards escorts could
he witness those brilliant parades made up Of magnin.
cent battalions squadrobs splendid batteries, OF
which the nations OF Europe mako such ostentatious dis
playit was believed say, that In that country thero
not could there be- any military element and the
Idea carried TO such extent that nation OF Eu.
rope considered itself capable OF measuring Its arms with
great people Washington This Judgment as disdain
fu, erroneous, supported by the nsgnfcancs q
the naval force which that people maintained In times o.
peace which, according careless and thoughtcss per-
sons 1t was not poss bic for them TO increase any
serious danger should threaten the country the
state not in possession OF immense and therefore
costly arsenals like those In Woolwich,
Tulon and La Caracca But not taken into account
that that country consequence Of Its political ana
administrative organization, every citizen employs ho
time, his intelligence and his wealth In the way thas
suits him best that With perfect liberty church orDa
ments manufactured. and guns, cannon, and ever3
engine OF constructed without impedimens pro.
ventiou whatever the result being that without the STATE
having the necessity have TO sustain such costly
arseuaIs foundes and workshops the day which th3
with everything that may need IN the gre,test abun
Of construction contained the industry Of thss
Intelligent country borders upon the fabulous and 40 n
commonly SAID Is necessary 70 see it to believe
For my own part never participated in The disdan
OF the people Of Europe-and refer 70 thinking mon
have regarded the great republic It's elements
activity Of tho people who constitute ,Ss UuiSn
knew their geographical poson-the most beautiful,
r"s for s vss ma grss. ,s narSar h
facilitate the movements o their ships Of and trans.
s people tho nS To- p
forth TO enancpate themselves from their mother coun.
Try ana tnlS was Sucient Tor me to comprehend that
that land there were al the principles OF wisdom wealth
md bravery which nations require in order be great
lvs Sas Sns @ haS % Visit ns uDsd
realizing my desire until being In Havana, after my
,iremen, from Mexico {where would Spain have been
had not left Eeyico)being In Havana, say and hav-
ing to return TO Spain, resolved TO pass through New
York and, being there,I deemed il 70 be duty %
military poeness due 70 my country TO visit OF tho
federal armies and, possible, 70 be present Of
their battles. therefore left my family in New York
Mlans del Bosch; my Aid. Don Carlos Detendre by Co
lionel eor.azar, Of the Cuban army; by Senior Pere2
caivo, the journalist Santos San Miguel and D. Fran
cisco saas rne occasion and the necessarily confined
space OF an article do not admit Of detailed description
OF what during that short instructive journey;
and therefore VIII apply myself solely TO those thngs
which relate TO the leaving for another occasion tho
expression tho Judgment hich formed OF the coun-
try during The brief period that remained there and
which unhestatngy and without fear OF being accused
However, should not, in speaking Of the military par.
y the question 70 80 partial as not TO stop few mo
poriance in the view Of dispeliins many absurdisieo
circulated In Europe concerning that society which
ing crime the order Of the day in the absence of
justice to punish H. so that every one has 10 leave hs
house armed with q six barreed revolwer
Intelligent men of all countries know well that such,
dsorganizaons do not exist, because with their ex
siencs there could possibly be no society; and as o
consequence, that which constitutes the Union
which came into existence but day ago
we, we could not not, nov & behold % as the gans
punish crime as in all organized communities, with
the sole difference that 10 that countrya thing 70 be
rapid than among fact due the Of
tho magistrates and to the institution Of the jury TO or
anime and decide upon all kinds Of crimes.
Offences ire punished not by Of shackles-which
are drawn BY cuprits through the squares public
sorrowfu spccacea system that Is utterly repug-
nan, and VII ch much degrades the ndon Of those
punished BY mprsonIng them confined penitcntiary
cells whence the criminal does not 60 forth until he
not perverted than when he In as generally
the with the liberated prisoners Europe but LETT TO-
passed. 70 tho prickings OF hs guilty conscience
works Iudustrously TO amuse himself by which no
gate has shut out his existence years years.
q aT ny person 6svias sSs i,ss. .
were only born to scss,y on that day ss.s-,..- ~
Irving IN nrAed.sgn!s ss'' 70 We. ..a .ns,, .on or
renissntisryJ se~ what would wish 70 SEQ
10 my own 6lary institution great in every respect
Of this kind i Incompatible with the sccusi,y Of the
prisoners They there so wen guarded tnat 70 escape
There we're in that institution Ave hundred and eighty
prisoners male and female, the greater number Of whom
number for shorter terms wished OF the
cells the desire OF soeng the interior OF thoss
OF the prisoners. The Governor had the kindness
direct that all the doors shou be opened TO me, and this
was done saw and spoke with two women and two
menthe former condemned 10 ave years solitary
nnement FOR which among would not be OF any
3 sps roSsl and ES
documents going into the cell Of the last one
Circumstance occurred which could not have Imagined
The prisoner made movement Of surprises he looked ~
with astonishment, and without taking notice o. any
OF my friends, remained whio ~ tnat position
al ast h, spoke 10 me 10 French saying "Sr you ara
General rrmf' "he same" ! answered "and where
have Won known mes, "n Porto Rico when you wero
the Captain General there was one Of the Frenchmsn Of
Mar,p,aue wno ing from tho dagger aud the IDceu.
diary torch Of rebel peerocsuerrived on the isandtbe
srea,er par Of US wounded amishing and naked. You
uroteoted and sheltered From that moment my lie
has been continual struggle, and from bad 10 worse
have come to what yen see me y
I'm washington / was cordially received and enter.
teoed ~ the Minister penpoeuary OF her Majesty the
Queen y. Gabriel Tassara, who presented me 20 the