New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-08-04

temperate living have not given theu
that thouphpess of fiber and strength OF
constitution, which enable our Northern men 10
endure husger and cold, want of sleep great
fatigue and labor, and all other privations OF a
marching army. Nor has their course OF hie
been such as to induce methods OF obedience anu
discipline, without which men cannot mahe e'o'
soldiers. and cannot be trusted In Positions
where the fortune Of the day may depend upon
bodies of men acting as one mana great apd
MAGNIFICENT machine, but with human intelli-
eepce. obedient TO a single master.mind. Gen.
Besuregard is too good soldier not 10 CONSIDER
all these things and Southern character and
Southern training and education, as compared TO
Nortberp-and he knows them both-will have
with him their due weight and influence bis de-
cisiop.
But, nevertheless, if the defensive simply has
become his policy, we do not see how be can
maintain it. Manassas is not the South; the
South 10 not fortress, in which the garrison is
compelled to do nothing, unless it pleases, but
stand upon its own defense. This is emphati;ally
one of those proverbial cases to which there are
two parties. The South may act upon the de-
fensive but suppose the National ferces should not
be disposed to make their point of attack precisely
where the enemy maintains his position of watch
and ward 2 Itmsy very well happen that whiie
Beauregard still stands in that graceful attitude,
| the National Generals may not be inclined to at
| tack, or wait an assault by somebody else upon
that particular defense. Should Gen. Fremont
4 4 IL ,as.ouf Antlht n ba
would consider it Q point of honor to 90 to
Manassas, or some other headquarters Of Gen.
Beauregard, to storm his defouses, or to
wait till somebody else had done so. Nor, should
the Government see fit to start an ex-
pedi,ion of 10000 or 10000 from this
city, or any other point do We believe it will
be thought necessary to acquaint Gen. Beaure-
card with its destination ID time for him to
reach the menoced place in season to await there
an attack. There are these practical difficulties
IN the way which must modify this defensive
doctrine. 1t would be very veil if he were sure
that the North did not intend to be aggressive
except to attempt TO scatter any army he may
gather together. But as that is not likely to be-
the policy of the Government, whose purpose is
| TO suppress instruction ard reduce the country
to peace. good ORDER and submission to the
laws, SO we imagine if the insug gents shall find
an inferior force that they can cut of without
much rick. they will pay but small regard to the
Besuregard doctrine of defensive warfare. 1t
sounds innocent and forbearing, but like the
meal that covered the cat, its pleasant looks are
not TO be trusted. If there is nothing there but
good honest meal, then it is confession that
the enemy already knows that he is beaten.
But that we do not believe. He has food enough
for a year, and can deceive himself for full that
length of time with worthless paper currency.
Till that time is passed We can hardly expect
such signs of returning good sense as an &c
acknowledgement that he could only stand on the
defensive would. seem TO show.