ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY OF MEXICO AND NEUTRAL PAPERS

 

General Winfield Scott.

McGrawville Express, Thursday, October 21, 1847.

ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY OF MEXICO.

(From the New Orleans Delta, Oct. 1st.)

   In conversing with an intelligent officer, who expressed in very strong terms his conviction that those who condemn Gen. Scott for not entering the city after the victory of Churubusco, did so without a full knowledge of the difficulties of the undertaking, we were forcibly impressed with a statement of his in relation to the very great impediments and perils in storming a city like Mexico. The city of Mexico is built in the centre of a lake, which we believe is nearly dried up, and the only approaches to it are over causeways from one and a half to two miles long. These are defended by strong batteries, manned by a large army, and the heads of the streets into which the causeways run also barricaded and defended by cannon. Had Gen. Scott advanced upon the city, he would have lost full half of his army, and added to the losses he had already incurred in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco, would have been severely crippled, if not placed hors de combat.

   Besides, we have already seen the proclamation of Gen. Herrera, calling on the people of the city to avail themselves of all the means of defence they can lay their hands on; to hurl stones from the top of the houses; to pour boiling water and hand grenades on the invading foe—in other words, to imitate the devotion of Buenos Ayreans, when they destroyed the English under Gen. Whitelock.

   Such is the defence of Gen. Scott's in agreeing to the armistice after the battle of Churubusco, made by a brother soldier and admirer of the General. Without entering into the discussion of the expediency of the armistice, there is one inference which we think we may safely deduce from the foregoing argument. It is the improbability of the heavy loss which Gen. Scott is reported by the Mexican rumors, which came over on the James L. Day, to have incurred before he had taken the city. It is very improbable that Gen. Scott would attempt to storm a city so well defended against such a movement, when he has it in his power to accomplish its fall by the safe and little destruction mode of bombardment against which the city has no defences.

   We think, therefore, that Gen. Scott, if he has captured the city of Mexico, has done it by bombardment, and has sustained but a small loss. The situation of the city expose it to certain destruction and ruin from our heavy guns, and we feel assured that the citizens would not hold out long against so fatal and disastrous shower of missiles as Scott has no doubt opened upon it. We sincerely trust they saw the madness of such obstinacy, in time to prevent any of those afflictive scenes which usually mark the bombardment of a large city.

 

MEXICO HAS YIELDED.

   Sufficient news has been obtained to confirm the opinion that Mexico has at last yielded her Capital, which is now in the possession of a few brave, courageous, but powerful American citizens. Yes, the Capital of Mexico has surrendered. That mighty city, once the home of the proud and haughty Spanish Chieftains, CORTEZ and MONTEZUMA has fallen! Yes, a city whose population is 150,000, has given way to a handful of American citizens, who have always been supposed as capable of anything else but warfare. Our little army has fought its way thro' against the most fearful odds, and has come off victorious in every instance. One, seemingly, has chased a thousand, and two have put ten thousand to flight. They have at last entered into the proud citadel of the Montezumas which, we doubt not, they will occupy with the dignity becoming an age of civilization.

   The object of the American Government has been PEACE, but it has been hooted and scoffed at by the Spanish barbarians. They have heeded all the overtures of this Government for Peace with the most bitter contempt and insolence, and heavy must be the just indignation which will fall upon them for their temerity. They will be made to feel, at last, that the claims of our Government must be regarded. Long enough has Mexico submitted to the despotism of military rule. The despots must now be punished. Judgment is following in their footsteps. They will soon be overtaken; and consigned to oblivion and shame.

   We look to the day of her deliverance with pride. It is not far distant. It may cost much, very much treasure and precious blood to accomplish it, yet it will be done and Mexico shall be FREE!

 

   EQUAL SUFFRAGE IN CONNECTICUT.—Last Monday the proposition to abolish the distinction between colored people and whites in respect to the right of suffrage, was rejected by the people of Connecticut. As far as has been heard from, the vote stands—for the proposition 2548; against the proposition 9884.

   TELEGRAPH TO BINGHAMTON.—The line of Telegraph connecting Owego and Binghamton with the Ithaca and Auburn Telegraph was opened on the 6st inst.

   A VERMONTER has obtained a patent for a pocket telescope that will bring cows trespassing in his corn field so near that he can shoot them with a pocket pistol.

   SPEAKING of praise, Swift tells us it is like ambergris: "A little whiff, and by snatches is very agreeable; but when a man holds a lump of it to your nose it knocks you down."

   PRICE OF ATTENDANCE ON THE SICK AT VERA CRUZ.—The difficulty of procuring attendance for the sick at Vera Cruz and elsewhere is very great. Lieut. James H. Jones of Wilmington, Delaware, states in a letter that he was charged by a nurse, for attending on him while sick, six dollars a day, and by a barber for shaving him, two dollars.

   COL. WILSON of North Carolina, recently killed in MEXICO, bequeathed $40,000 to the poor of his district.

 

THE BABY JUMPERS COME TO TOWN.

   Yes, the BABY JUMPERS have really got along at last, tho' they were some time on the way. We hail their arrival with pleasure, as we shall no longer be compelled to submit to cross babies. Now the little innocents can jump up, and fly away and be at ease. Their dear little minds will be so deeply engrossed now, when they get into the BABY JUMPER, that they will forget all about crying, And this will be the only fault, we imagine, with the JUMPERS, children using them will be so still, that Parents will forget all about the little chubs and, perhaps, leave them too long. Oh, the BABY JUMPERS! Blessings on the man who invented them.

   Those who expect to get one, will call soon at the store of SALISBURY, BURNHAM, and PIKE, where they will find the JUMPER to be a curiosity, indeed, but a greater one when they come to use it.

 

NEUTRAL PAPERS, AGAIN.

   There is no surer sign of the importance and popularity of the Neutral Press, than to see the Political solons thrusting at it the envenomed tongue of malevolence, with a view of bringing it down to the degraded level upon which they stand in the eyes of the People. They see that the Neutral Press, regardless of party favors, are exposing the intrigue and corruption of political gamesters, the manner in which they get into office, and their great love for the People, which amounts to nothing more nor less, than their desire to get into office—to be deemed honorable, and looked up to as big men, quite regardless of the People and their interests.

   The Political editor, standing at the head of his Party in the State, goes into this intriguing game because he expects to receive some brilliant compensation, which will amply reward him for his ardent attachment to party. He goes into it because he is deeply interested, and is it strange? He must praise up his party, because it is his business, and he is fearful of his bread and butter if he does not. His opposition to Neutral papers, therefore, is quite natural, and we expect nothing else from him.

   The editor of the county paper also takes precisely the same ground. His whole soul is enveloped in Party. He can see nothing "fairly" but his Party. Whatever IT does is RIGHT, whatever is OPPOSED to it is WRONG, as a matter of course. He goes into the advocacy of Party tactics and Party usages with the servility becoming a menial, knowing that if he falters, or grows weary, he is driven forward by the strong arm of PARTY; and between fear on the one hand, and favor on the other, he is ready to do anything dirty for the purpose of advancing the interests of his Party, and misguiding the People. Can we reasonably expect him to say anything handsome about Neutral papers? He is the very man to OPPOSE them, and he will do it like a good fellow; and why? Because he is PAID FOR IT, and he works for PAY. He goes in for Party, because he knows that if his Party happens to be successful, the Office Holders will throw into his hands some valuable consideration for his subserviency and adherence to Party. Can we, then, expect anything but vituperation and slang from such a very disinterested source? Why cartainly not [sic], the very idea is preposterous, and upon a par with the base assertion, THAT THE PEOPLE ARE NOT WITH THE NEUTRAL PRESS, AND WILL NOT "TRUST THEM."

 

THE PEOPLE UP AND DOING.

   During our recent visit to Owego, we observed that Mr. LYMAN TRUMAN was out as a stump candidate for a seat in the next Legislature. Mr. TRUMAN is a gentleman of fine talents and eminently qualified to represent the people of Tioga; he is emphatically the man of the PEOPLE, and if elected, (and his chances for success are good) will be vigilant in his advocacy of the rights of the LABORING CLASSES. His election will be a death blow to party managing, and a glorious triumph for the People. We would suggest that the Free Soil Party of Tioga drop their candidate, and go in for Mr. TRUMAN, and aid in achieving a splendid victory, which will not only cover THEM with glory, but be striking a tremendous blow in favor of FREE SOIL.

 

OLD ONONDAGA IN THE FIELD.

   D. A. ORCUTT, Esq., of Syracuse, has also taken the stump, and proclaims himself a candidate for the next Legislature. Mr. O. is a citizen of Syracuse, possessed of commanding talents, and will be an able representative of the People, if elected.

 

WHO IS THE PEOPLE'S MAN?

   Cannot Cortland County produce a stump candidate also? Whoever has the independence to break loose from party, and take the stump, will secure the support of the People, and will stand a better chance of election than either of the other candidates. The People are moving, and those who resist the impulse will be ground to powder.