The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-18

WAR?-The city of New York and its merchant
princes have behaved nobly. They have given
the impetus to the military movement which
has now become so formidable, and has awaken
ed in the North spirit of generous rivalry in
the cause Of the Union whose existence is i'm
perilled by revolt. But what has the State
done as whole? New York claims to be the
Empire State, and her population and wealth
place her at the head of all other States in the
American Union. But her exertions compare
lively are not only far behind those of Massa
chusetts but those of Pennsylvania and Ohio
the two States which approach her most nearly
in population. The Legislature of New York
has given $4,000, 900 for the war, just as much
as the Legislature of the little State of Massa-
chusetts which has besides loaned to the federal
government 81 100000. Pennsylvania has given
S3,930,O00, and Ohio $3,34S,0OO. Ohio has en-
rolled eighty one thousand volunteers, New
York only seventy-fve thousand. There are
twenty regiments gazetted and colonies ap-
pointed in this State. There are twenty-five
regiments in camp in Ohio. 1t is not the fault
of the people of this State that there are not
100, 900 men now organized and equipped from
its population. The emulation to be accepted
is most extraordinary. But in proportion as
the people are fast, the eficials at Albany are
slow and red tape and routine fetter the free
movements of the popular heart
The intrigues in the Military Board, in which
Horace Greeley and Thurlow Weed are pulling
in opposite directions appear to be the princi-
pal cause of the pernicious Instructions and
delay. There is a fierce struggle going on to
turn the military into political machine, and
at the same time warm contest for the spells
arising from the contracts, by which fortunes
are being made. The Military Board refuses to
receive organized regiments. 1t will only
accept companies The reason is plain.
II wants to have the control of the
appointment of the colonies, and only those
companies and their captains will be formed
into regiments who beforehand pledge them
selves to elect certain individuals indicated for
their colonies, without regard to their military
qualifications.
How can an army organized on such princi-
Piles become efficient in active service? 1t is
bad enough to put the worst men into the Gus
tom House and the Post Office, Congress and
the Legislature, but when it comes to the
army it becomes another affair On the eff
cheney of the army now being organized de-
ponds the fate of the Union; and if men with
out military knowledge or experience are to
be placed high in command of our troops the
worst consequences may be feared. In the
conflict between Weed and Greeley the latter
is always in the wrong, for he knows nothing
whatever of the military business in which he
intcrferes. He is about as well acquainted
with the art OF war as he is with the Sanscrit,
End would be just as competent to organize an
opera troupe, or to direct the music of SYM
phony of Beethoven, or the mazes of dance,
as be is to direct the organization of troops, or
TO judge of the qualifications of officers of an
army.