Worcester daily spy., 1861-07-29
From the New York Evening Post, July IS.
MA p~aaa and tho War.

The principal editor Of a leading print, after
denying his responsibility for much of the Sc
we're criticism of the government which has
lately appeared in his journal, announces that
hereafter his WI tiers will abstain from animal
versions upon army movements, and devote
themselves to animating and supporting the
spirit of the country. This is judicious, and
the public as well as the government will be
glad to welcome the change. 1t is no part of
the duty of the press to administer the militia
ry departments, to organize armies, or to con.
duct campaigns Gross and obvious blunders
on the part of those in power it may and it
ought to denounce. The great conservative
function of a free press is to expose wrong
and lead public sentiment in the right drec-
ton. But this is different thing from taking
the management of affairs out of the hands of
its legitimate organs.
Not satisfied with a decent discussion of the
conduct Of the government, the newspaper
writers have taken upon themselves to dictate
plans and to prescribe movements. Not a
point of weakness in our position, either polit-
ical or MARTIAL has remained for an hour un-
proclaimed to the enemy. Not an imputation
on the wisdom, the honesty, or ability of our
heads of departments, our officers, our soldiers
or our war material has been withheld. What
can be more mschievous to our position in
Europe than the papers which were sent for
ward by yesterdays steamer? They might
truly have represented the Manassas affair, as
one most brilliant and victorious for our brave
troops, who drove the enemy at all points,
stormed and carried their batteries and en-
trenchments, and were backing them steadily
until the foe was so reinforced that in addition
to his masked batteries, he had three to our
one IN numbers; that when our men retired it
was in good order-their withdrawal being
" hxy nh IN rifio
as are always incident to the retirement OF
all large bodies from action. Instead OF this
side OF the picture, many OF the journals have
devoted their powers of description to the
"panic" OF pack of teamsters, outofpace
williams, and a few struggling soldiers Tile
flight OF these worthless is made the chief fea-
ture of the occasion. The great battle, the ac.
tual collisions, the movements, forces and ach
ievements are minor matters. They are
vaguely and meagrely stated. Indeed, at this
hour lin the absence of official reports) we
know nothing about them with precision
But the foreign sympathizers with secession
are informed that our army is utterly defeated
in pitched battle-routed, panic stricken and
dispersed to the four winds and hostile prints
abroad will echo the news, and will believe
and announce that the Union is Mt end
The southern army has a valuable and dis.
Greet auxiliary in the southern press Instead
of one unbroken stream of disparagement Of
their leaders, either in the cabinet or on the
field, they do all they can to sustain them and
to cheer on and cooperate in securing the
great result Private griefs are not permitted
to vent themselves al such time and with
such mischievous effect II there has been
brush of the rebels against force of the
Americans, the southern papers make the mos
of every success; they even magnify it, or il
case OF reverse, do not exaggerate the fault
and mistakes of their leaders. But our priyat,
citizens, too easily discouraged by an apparen
disaster, are beginning to emulate the exam
pie of the press, and at the meeting of IN,
union defence committee undermine popula
confidence, instead OF strengthening it, BY thei
speeches.
The Evening Post, as its readers will bea
witness, has been the constant advocate of A,
unlimited freedom of discussion it will still
continue to point out notorious instances o
ineficiency; and to urge the government I,
ts duties, whenever it is lethargc or lax