The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-02
The Irish Movement.
tFrom the An erican Celt, Dec. IT,
Ul1nnR nm ~ nvx, nDvy.,nw,e4

WHERE ARE YOUR OFFICERS?
Ii the misguided men and their misleader5 who
are to assemble on Tuesday next at the Aston House
be not entirely possessed bya spirit Of false security
we would ask them to consider on that occasion one
main difficulty in their undertaking; after candid
statement Of that difficulty, if there still to be
throw overheard all family obligations, all friendly
advccs, all religious discussions and to embark soul
ard body in lawless venture, planned by Free Ma
sons, IN Masonic mystery, condemned by the church.
land, their blood be on their own heads.
That the Irish in America, legally embodied at
the call OF an American government, would turn
ont an in mense rank and file force, we all under
stand. Among our emigrants there ISIS larger pro-
potion Of male adults than among the native popu-
ation. The very young, the very old, did not gene
rally emigiate; men between the fighting ages,
eighteen and fortydve, formed the vast majority Of
those who did. Between those ages the military
spirit Is active in most Irshmen; that spirit which
found abundant employment in the services OF
France, SPAIN Austria, Russia, and even Prussia,
peaceful, manufacturing, but intoleraut America,
deeply irrtated by social persecution, natu-
rally seeks some outlet for its over excited
activity II this country were at war with England,
and its rulers thought polite to embody peculiarly
hish army for peculiarly Irish purpose, Ia thing
we never expect to out of Ireland) we have not
the least doubt but that within three months,
10000 gallant Celts would answer to its call. This
indeed, would be ireand's (American) copper
tuDity"
Surprising under these-the most cheering and
favorable circumstances this force of 100 900 men
raised what would remain TO be done to make IL Of
ncient? crowd Is not o camp, nor s multitude
an army. For q hundred thousand men there are
required some five thousand officers, including gen
eral and staff officers, and proportonate number
of engineers and artillerists In modern warfare,
the highest authority, Naooleon l., has pronounced
the artillery to he the principal arm; the pre-
sent war shows its paramount importance;
engineering skill and practice, with the requisite
mi ri tha heat ,ltn anfu
Now, If the United States had one hundred thousand
Irish volunteers as brave MS ever stepped in shoe
leather they would still be obliged to supply expe-
renced officers, engineers, and gene adequate to
their command. The military strength OF the Irish
element in this country lies altogether in its rank
and file We are almost wholly deficient in officers
Of experience, who understand the art OF war as
chess player does his game, or sailor the workings
Of his ship. There is no other art or science Of
which our educated men are so ignorant even Il.
theory. Mathcmaticians are not rare among them
chemists there are few jurists, physicians, theo
loeana, proportorate 10 the bulk. But veteran
captains, such are to be found among the Polish
German, Italian or French refugees, we do not
know that we have one.
There were, indeed three or four superior officers
Of Irish birth, who won their spurs in the Mexican
war. Brigader General James Shields came out of
that with reputation second to no officer OF his
grade; Major McReynolds Of Detroit, Is known for
dasLing cavalry oflicer Colonel O'Brien of the ar
tillcry, Is alas no more. Several brave officers of
in0r rank, noticed in the dispatches of the period
are bish by descent or birth, aud the survivors
among them would, doubtless be found as ready for
war in sc Us in 'A6, II government required their
services
II IL, however, to be observed, that officers who
have served with credit under regular government
rarely, II ever put faith In, or take service with
flibusters. Reputation is true conserva.
tive caste Is all powerful with soldiers
who have won 1t; such men are apt to place. per.
haps, too much stress on system, order and obed-
cnce; on regular grades aud authoritative com.
mands; all those extcrnas and Intervals OF mill.
,aiy life in which q hhbustero Is wholly and una
voidably deficient. We do not believe that In the
present secret undertaking. the focus of which Is 10
he, on Tuesday next, the Astor House. Zone OF the
public hotels in New York; there is single Ameri.
can or Irish officer Of any reputation enlisted II
the thing had the sanction of this there
would soon be officers enough; but no man who has
once borne commission with honor, and received
the recognition Of powerful government, will en-
bark In doubly condemned expedition under the
auspices oi an anonymous convention Of civilians.
Surprising that the flibusters--a mere fraction Of
. not very powerful minority in this country-sup.
posing them 70 be able 70 raise and equip ten full
regiments, without the consent and against the
proc lamations Of this government. where are the
officers to comc from Only that he NAV be oath.
bound, we would ask this question O. our old friend
and former military contributor, Oliver Byrne.
That gentleman has, we hear, gone somewhat into
this afiair. He Ia, perhaps, the only man OF high
teect az yet embarked in Il; he is perfectly sin.
cere we may he sure; and having a speciaiifs for
fighting we expect to have good account OF him.
whatever the rest may do. Mr.. Byrne, with the
true odesty of genius, has frequently declared that
he would never go into field unless under officers
who had secn actual service. We ask bin,