The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-21


lished yesterday, gave detailed account of the
departure of the Fourth Massachusetts regi-
ment for Boston, taking their leave amidst
speeches, cheers, tigers, &c. Were il not for
the fact that the forces at and near Fortress
Monroe are at present inadequate for the work
that is to be done at that strategicai point in
putting down the rebellion, we might let their
return go unnoticed. Having turned their
backs upon a field where we are almost daily
told that no advance can be made until they
have reinforcements, notwithstanding the fact
that they were amongst the first to march at the
call of their country, their return cannot fail to
disgrace them in the eyes Of the public They
have been in the field just long enough to pre-
pare them to endure the hardships of cam
paign, and leave it just as they are really ct to
do their country valuable service.
We notice that the three months for which
several other regiments enlisted will soon ex-
pire; but we presume that a majority Of them
now that they have become accustomed to the
camp life, will prefer the honorable course Of
four or FIVE of the Pennsylvania regiments that
have re-enlisted for the war, rather than the
disgrace that must attend all regiments that
follow the action of the New York Seventh aud
the Massachusetts, Third and Fourth. II is
true that other regiments in the Old Bay
State desired to take the place Of those
in tho field, but the effect Of the return Of
regiments on the eve Of great events is always
demoralizing and damaging. Our Seventh regi-
ment, so long the pride and boast of New York,
to be sure, did valuable service to the country
in marching to Washington during its darkest
and most perilous hours. They, however, re-
turned before the great struggle is ended or the
most important issue that any nation went to
war upon is decided-namely, whether demo
cratic form Of government has the strength to
maintain itself against the ntrigues and insur-
rections within its own borders. Our form of
government may be said to be an experiment in
every particular. 1t has thus far safely gone
through every trial, and given practical denial
to the prophecy of foreign aristocracy that its
from the storm that visited us with brighter and
more renewed glory than when it commenced
The present struggle is one of greater i'm
portance than any that preceded it; and if the
present clash of arms ends in the triumph Of the
federal forces; it cannot fail to forever silence
our enemies abroad, but show to the whole
world that republican form Of government
can maintain itself against all foes, whether ut
home or abroad, as we'll as prove that entrust-
ing an intelligent people with administering the
government-rather than favored blooded ars-
tocracy, whose virtue is their blooded birth
strengthens rather than weakens the nation.
When this question is settled, as everything now
indicates that il will be, In favor of the Union
then shall we, as nation, take position among
nations the best and noblest Of ALL The Seventh
regiment of this city, leaving the seat of war and
returning to their homes before so important a
question to humanity and the world was de-
cided, have lost their once gallant name and
are no longer the praise Of our citizens, but
seem to be disorganized and dispirited. The
same will be the result to all other regiments
who leave the field Of action before this great
problem is virtually solved. Let all those re-
giments that wish to avoid like fate take
warning before it is too late. No true soldiers
althou sh their period of enlistment mas ended
will turn their backs upon the foes of their
country until this the greatest question, affect
ing as it does the freedom of the world and hui
mainly, has been settled, and the honor of the
nation indicated