The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-01

| ~~~s~.0 ~ OOnHt Coo-xAe Aumtnai
Heta"n, tho Army and tho People.
on Thursday OF this week, the Fourth day {
July, the two houses of the Congress of tb
Unssd States will assemble in extraordinar
SeStion In the Capitol at Washington, 10 purs,
auce of President Lincoln's proclamation {
April last, and for the express purpose of aid
ing and directing the policy OF the administers
taon In The great work Of the suppression of GU
Southern rebellion. The ioyas people of tn
whole country and the formidable armies whic
hNey have sent into the field are auxiousl
awaiting this meeting Of Congress, but with
prevailing confidence in the adoption OF sys
tenn OF measures wsrlike aud financial, wisel
calculated 70 bring this war to an cad in be
half of the integrity Of the Union" in singi,
campaign.
To this end We are assured that the Presi
dents message viii urge a vigorous aud un
compromising prosecution Of the war; that the
Cabinet are unit in support of this pcAcy
and that the legislation of the two houses will
be harmoniously directed to, this one great
common object, and to nothing else. Mean
~s>@~p ~~"V'OAt WAs0 az U2VUu00cU t6ttQ Ii v1c
patriotism and military knowledge and sagacity
Of Gen. Scott, our loyal soldiers end citizens are
perPlexed, and are becoming uneasy, with a
military policy Of mastery inactivity" which
they cannot comprehend. Col. Blair, of Mis-
souri, in his significant war speech in this city
the other evening" said that it is evident d" that
the people are craving for action on the part of
those who are in the field" and shat with the
greatest General Of the age" and with ouch
fine soldiers and so many of them, it is matter
of surprise that we have not done anything"
Now, considering Chat this Col Blair is repub-
iican member of Congress from Missouri, that
he has brother In the Cabinet, and that he is
himself held in very high regard by Mr.. Lin
coin, there is something, we say, very signif.
cant in this Surprise" that " our army has not
done anything"
Taking advantage of this "surpYise," the ad-
vocates OF compromise have been encouraged
to come forward and feel the public pulse.
Thus it appears that, upon some mysterious in
vitation, Senator Bayard, Of Delaware, as the
volunteer agent of the Confederate States,n
has recently, incog, honored the city of New
York with his presence. At about the same
time the Hon. Ben. Wood and his democratic
editorial compromise convention are found in
session at the Astor House, denouncing the
war and the "despOtic policy" of the admi-
nistration, and in q roundabout way suy-
costing the recognition of the govern.
ment of Jefferson Davis. And next we
hear that patriotic peacemaker has been ar
rested by our Superintendent of Police for
circulating petition for an armistice and q
National Convention. But we cannot discover
that any Of these peace or compromise move
ments, or rumors, have made the slightest i'm
preston upon the public mind in favor ofpeace
or compromise under existing circumstances.
Our loyal people, on the contrary, though less
demonstrative, appear to be more sternly re-
solved than ever against any compromising in
advance Of the disarming of Davis and his re-
bellious eonfederates.
But still, while our loyal people and our pa
triotic soldiers are thus impatient for vigorous
prosecution of the war, and while this is the
declared policy of Mr.. Lincoln, the question re-
mains unanswered: Why has our army not
done anything? Why does Beauregard con-
tinue to occupy Manassas Junction, and extend
his lines in front of superior force? Why
does General Butler delay the PREPARATION of
the blunder at Big Bethel? Why il the rebel
Johnston still permitted to harass the loyal PEG
pie at and around Harper's Ferry, and to eat
up their substance, with an overwhelming
Union force idly looking on from the other side
Of the river? We cannot answer. We hear
that our armies are held back because the ad.
ministration does not wish to move them for.
ward in advance Of the assent and 90 operation
Of Congress.
We have been content thus far with the sim.
pie explanation that the administration relies
upon the head of the army, and that General
Scott is quite sure that while he is strengthened
the enemy is weakened and demoralized by de
lay. The war, however, cannot safely be pur
sued much longer upon this system. Ou'
Congress meets on the Fourth of July, thu
one house Congress Of the Confederate States
will meet in Richmond on the goth, unless pre-
vented by the onward movements of oul
armies but from present appearances this in
terruption will not occur. In all probability
! however, there will be such formidable feds
raj military Gordon threatening the occupation
Of Richmond by the goth that the rebel Con
gress may be induced to open negotiation
for peace; and who can say that this ide'
is not entertained in the councils of GU
| Cabinet?
Three months ago some of our most radi
cal republican party journals, the New Yorl
| Tribune at the head of them, pleaded earnestl,
from day to day in favor of quietly psrmittin!
the revolted States to try the experiment of al
Independent government. at that time, W
suspect, there was voice or two in the Cabi
net Of which the Tribune was but the echo
Some such influences may still be felt by tn
administration. AT all events, We know tia
England in the matter of this war orcun;e