The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-03


cation and humanity.
We see no way Of affording protection to
American citizens and commerce except
through the strong hand of our government,
unless, indeed, the Texans are to be left to
fight their own battle. And it would be I'M
reasonable to expect the government to keep
continually large military force at great cost
on the border for the purpose of holding the
Mexican desperadoes in check. The only
sensible policy to pursue is to take possession
of Mexico and end at once and forever all this
trouble. The crisis has arrived, and General
Grant has the opportunity of giving peace,
happiness, prosperity and strong government
to Mexico; of adding immensely to the wealth
Of the United States by the annexation of the
richest country in the world of greatly pro-
noting our trade, commerce and shipping in
terests, and Of making for himself great name
in history. To defer carrying out the manifest
destiny Of annexation would be only to permit
Mexico, with all her wealth, to run deeper in
ruin and to increase the difficulties already
existing The world looks to the United
its vast natural riches available. Let us hope
our government will not disappont this expec-
tation nor neglect the opportunity now afforded
for accomplishing an object SO desirable.
The Spring Fashions mt Home and Abroad.
The first of the spring months has come and
the fair daughters of Gotham have bestirred
themselves on the all-mportant subject of
what to wear and how to wear it during the
fairest portion of the year. Fashion has is
sued her annual proclamation and the modistes
have unlocked the treasurer of the toilet to
their expectant customers. Although that
mysterious period, general opening day, is
yet more than two weeks distant, enough is
known of the styles and materials to be worn
this spring, and our fair readers, after care
full perusal of the article on Spring Fashions
published in another column to-day, will be
enabled to make their own selections in the
bewilderng array of novelties set before them.
It is gratifying to find that independence in
dress has at last found favor with Ameri-
can ladies, and that they evince determine
tlon to allow themselves no longer to be tied
to the apron strings of foreign modistes.
Taste has at length asserted its right to be
the guiding principle of our bellies in their Sc
lections for the toilet, and we may expect a
lady now to choose only those styles and ma
terials that are suitable for her. The laudable
Efforts of the leading modistes of this city have
done much to attain this desirable end, and
American fashions have already attained an
envable popularity even in Europe.
Our Paris fashions letter, which we publish
on another page, will give the readers of the
HERALD glance at the gay world of Paris as
It is to-day. Contrasted with former times
the French capital has lost much of that fresh
ness, volublity and light-heartedness which
it. The stranger is absent from
the boulevards, brilliant court no longer
sheds its brillancy from the Tuileries, and dis
content among the artisans and shopkeepers
is painfully evident. France is unsettled, and
Paris reflects the real condition of the coun-
try. Amid all the disadvantages under which
the capital labors there still exists the old
spirit, the desire and ambition to lead the
fashions of the world. Our correspondent, in
the letter published, points out the particular
forms, colors and styles which the spring will
usher in in gay Paris, and, as in years gone by,
the example set will find its followers at home
and abroad. Yet we would counsel our bellies
to depend more upon themselves and the die
tates'of taste and common sense than upon
the proclamations of Partisan milliners