The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-11


The Son TO Richmond" Cry Once More.
The republican journals are ominously re-
moving their cry Of con to Richmond" The
bitter lesson Taught at Manassas has been lost
upon them already. Among the newspapers
which, after that catastrophe, most loudly con-
demned the Tribune and Times for the part
they played in urging an advance Of the army
into the enemy's country before ii was ready,
was the World. Now that journal gives tongue
in concert with both Tribune and Tines all
three being like SO many hounds in full cry, but
on a false scent
In the leading article in yesterdays number,
under the caption of military Movement Ne
cessity," the World sings out loudly for an ad-
vance of the army Of the Potomac against
the enemy Gen. Mcclellan is lectured equally
in history in domestic and foreign politics, and
| in tie art Of war. The most unworthy in
| situations are thrown out against him. He is
charged with want of ''yigor" and "energy,"
and with allowing the work to alag" "The
institutions Of the country are in peril" we are
told, in consequence Of "protracted lack OF all
movement" Again: at is idle to disguise that
there has been some disappointment among
the people that our great army on the Poto-
mao has remained so completely stationary
through the fall, and to all appearance is
to continue SO to an indefinite period longer"
unfortunately limitations are continually
coming from Washington that the Potomac army
will go into winter quarters, and postpone
active operations until q more favorable sea-
son of the year." "There is uncertainty enough
about it to justify some solicitude."
Such are the dismal forebodings Of the
writer, who then goes on to quote history, by
way of showing General Mcclellan his duty.
After preliminary remark that 'every one
who has read history knows that nothing has
more generally given success to rcbelions and
revolutions than lack of timely and well
sustained energy upon the part of the estab-
lished government, especially in It's military
operations the World quotes from Washing
ton to show that the Revolution of l77G was
successful, not so much from the military vigor
OF the insurgent colonies, as from the inactivity
end want Of enterprise in the mother country
during the greater part Of the war The infer
ence from this is that through like inactivity
and want of enterprise in our government and
its generals second American revolution will
be rendered successful. Napoleon and Well
lngton are both quoted as authorities to re-
mind Mcclellan that he is all wrong. "Per-
haps," adds the World, our generals have no
such weak side" (as the generals referred to by
tho heroes Of Waterloo and Austerlitz); we
hope for the best. But they must remember that
they have their character in this regard yet TO
establish, and until it is established by actual
practical fighting, given at the right time and
followed up with the right yigor, they cannot
expect absoluss confidence" .~s.4
SO, then, Ill General McClellan'ss brilliant
achievements in Western Virginia inspire no
confidence, and his wonderfully rapid organiza-
ton of the largest army ever brought int the
field by any government in modern times, goes
for nothing in the jaundiced eye of the World
Then the writer next holds up before General
Mcclellan tho fact that "the conicderacy gains
heart and prestige every hour it is able (, keep
our great armies at bay; it attributes our
failure to attack to fear, and its adherents are
correspondngly inspir;ted." Nor is this all.
Foreign nations, too take the failure as evil
dcncc that the Confcderates have great
strength strength that must ultimately Sc
cure their independence. Our very inactivity
is doing more than even an occasional defeat
could to impel them to foregone conclusion.
II there is anything that the re-
bel generals on the Potomac can
aid 10
from such language as this; and the Confedc-
rate Congress cannot do less than pass a vote
of thanks to the World. Lastly, "the fearful
danger that pyotracted delay will breed polti-
| cal distraction is held up to General MtClcl-
Ian IS q bmgbear to scare him from his pro-
| priety He is warned about sthe strong party
rising for sweeping abolition" and ''eacctivciy
| pressing The argument of military necessity
into their service in default of successful war
in any other form"
Such are the premises from which an imme-
date movement upon Richmond is nrged as
military and political necessity ard in the
following dictatorial tone, which the President
himself would scarcely venture to assume,
| General Mcclellan receives his fira and per-
emptcry orders from the Void Office
| "Our generals cannot too well understand
that delay is inadmissiblc singl. day beyond
what military considerations vigorously exact
1t cannot be INDUCED in without great injury
and greater danger"
This was the sort of blind. ,nreasoning de-
clamation which, unfortunately listened to by
the administration, resulted il the disgraceiul
rout from Bull run. General Mcclellan, how
ever, is not the man to be carried away by such
claptrap, and the President having full conf
dence in his capacity, vii sustain him in his
mastery inactivity" Whatever plausibility
there might be in urghg forward General
Scott, whose movements were naturally slow,
owing TO his age and in6mities, there can be no
reason for stimulating vigorous young general
like Mcclellan. Every days delay till
the proper time cores for general
advance is weakening the rebellion and
strengthening the carse of the Union.
| - a. hot IF hio ,bol 10