The Mexican, hot and fretful in controversy, is ever quick and sometimes secret, in ridding himself of his foe;--the American is equally prompt with his pistol, but gives his insulting enemy an equal chance. A sudden conflict with knives ends a Spanish rencontre or dispute; while periods of deliberation and cool arrangements precede the fatal field between our countrymen. The American officer is scientifically educated in military schools and _leads_ his men to battle. The Mexican is ignorant of all but ordinary drills, and either _follows_ his impulsive squadrons, or, flies at the approach of personal danger. The one has nerve and endurance, the other impulse and passion; hence, while the Mexican strikes his blow and retreats to his lair if foiled, the American, equally unchanged by victory or defeat, moves onward with indomitable purpose until his object is successfully accomplished. The one dwindles too often into the cruel assassin or relentless persecutor,--the other, as frequently, attains the dignity of a clement hero. These general observations apply, of course, only to the masses, for truly brave and patriotic men exist in all countries, and nowhere are the examples of heroic qualities more conspicuous than among the Spanish races. The fault lies more in temperament than in soul. An equipoise between intellect and passion is alone deficient in the nature of the Mexican people, for the savage has not been entirely extirpated from the mingled blood of Indian and Spaniard. When the remarkable energy of men, born in genial climates, is tempered by self restraint, it produces that urbane and chivalrous character which once made war the school of gentlemen. But the modern ideas of liberty and patriotism have deprived standing armies of all exclusive claim to national protection; and, as long as each citizen feels that the defence of his native land or of his country's rights depends upon himself, the volunteer as well as the regular will be prompt to discharge his military duty with skill, alacrity and irresistible resolution. FOOTNOTES: [98] Army on the Rio Grande, p. 13. CHAPTER IV. Character of Mexican diplomacy--Genius of the Spanish language--Paredes's proclamation--Hostilities authorized by him--Taylor goes to Isabel-- Description of the Brasos St. Jago and Point Isabel--burning of the custom-house--Made a depot and fortified--Taylor and Worth unite and plant the American flag opposite Matamoros--Worth's interview with La Vega and Césares--Fruitless efforts of our generals to establish amity--Description of the country round Matamoros--appearance of the town.