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HANGING DEsERTERs-There is no doubt,
but the rumor is true that the 'foreign legion"
all deserters from the American army, captur-
ed at Churubusco have been tried by court
martial and hanged. We feel but one senti-
ment in this matter, and that is of the justice
of their doom. BY all the laws of war, by all
considerations of safety to an army, the desert
er merits death. He goes into the ranks know


ing his fate if he turns recreant and all order
and security depends upon melting out to him,
wherever he is found the severest punishment.
But this ''foreign legion" were more than de-
serters They were men who had sworn alle-
glance to the United States-who had taken
their solemn oaths to defend her and entered
into her armies to help her wage her wars
In an enemys country, they fled from the flag
they had sworn to defend, they became deser-
ters, more infamous than cowards-but this
was not all, they joined the enemy against
whom they had enlisted, and in solid column
turned their weapons of death against their
brothers and their country. Miserable men
they were taken with those bloody weapons in
their hands. What should be their fate?-
Read the articles Of war and then look on that
gallant American army, worn down by fatigue,
sickness, and battle, and say if these seventy
two wretches were entitled to life. They had
forfeited every consideration of mercy. We
care not what country tney came from, they
had disgraced name and country, and cast an
imperishable stigma on their kin. They were
fairly tried. There could be no palliation OF
their guilt. They had not been abused, de-
ceived, nor seduced into desertion, but of their
own will they had dared the doom of the hal
ter. That gallant little American army watch.
ed the tents of the court with hearts full Of in
dignation. They saw where justice hung hei
balance, still they feared that sympathy might
defeat her, and then, where was the safety o.
single soldier in Mexico? II these deserter
escaped what infection might the example have
upon the wavering in our camps. But justice
asserted herself. F; irly tried and condemned


the ''Foreign Legion were hanged Thus has
ended the career of Riley and his seventy -ont
followers in baseness and crime. No good cit


izen or man of any country will mourn thei


death, though every one may exclaim, "GoC
have mercy on their souls. IN Y. Sun.