The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-14

4
| For another reason they want to fight at once,
and that is, that they cannot long sustain 30
large an army, owing to their financial difficult
ties.
General Mcclellan Is not blind TO these ne
cessites of the insurgents, nor is he ignorant of
their present operations. He is accordingly
making the most energetic preparations for any
and every emergency; he is vigilant, we be-
lieve, as well as active. The other gene
rals-Banks, Rosencrans and Frcmont-who
are acting parts subordinate to the grand drama
now being performed in the vicinity of Wash
ington, are also keenly alive to the DANGER
and are preparing their troops for vigorous
action. Where the next blow may be struck
whether in the neighborhood of Fortress Mon
roe, or on the Upper Potomac against Banks, or
against the force Of ROsencrans in Western
Virginia, or at Washington itself--it is impos-
sible to say. Many sagacious, we'll informed
military men hold that the latter will be the
first object Of the rebels attention because Of
the great moral effect which its capture would
| produce throughout the New World aud the
| Old, That they will make an onward move
ment in some direction within two or three
weeks there is every reason to believe. Ia
addition to the reasons assigned above, we may
mention the significant fact that Beaurcgard
notwithstanding the wagons captured from Our
army, has issued an order to collect all the
wagons which can be obtained-the sure sign of
marching in force. And these indications are
| strengthened by the closing words of the brief
address of Johnston and Beauregard to the
rebel army on the 2Sth of July, one week after
the fight near Manassas. They say, in allusion
to those who fell:-.We will hold the soil in
which the dust of Washington is mingled with
the dust of our brothers. We drop one tear on
their laurels, and n,oue .forloord 10 a.wuge Mea"
Our readers know that hitherto General
SCOTS plan has been to collect an overwhelm-
ing, well disciplined force and move forward
with that in the fall, bearing down all opposi-
ton But the defeat at Bull run has altered the
circumstances, and it is likely that the enemy is
now so embroidered that he will not await Gen.
SCOTS leisure to attack him. but become the
assailing party himself. II is understood that a
vigorous and rapid campaign is the policy of
the young Generals, Mcclellan, Banks, Fremont
and others, and that the rebels ought not
to be always allowed to choose their own battle
ground. II is probable that General Scott will
therefore change his programme to suit the al
tered condition Of things. The news from
Missouri which we publish this morning, giving
an account of the defeat of General Lyons
army, and Of the death of the General
himself, is an additional reason for the
prompt exertion Of the utmost vig0r. If
to two such reverses third should soon
be added, from want Of vigilance or want
Of energy and skill, the cause of the Union
would be damaged almost beyond the power of
recovery. The country will not tolerate long
war; The conflict must be short, sharp and de-
eisive, or fail altogether But there is no reason
why it should not be brought to successful
issue before the lst of May, and the Union es
tabished by our fathers restored to us and to
our children, cemented more firmly than ever
by the blood 50 freely shed in its defence.
-----------
THE NATIONAL FAST DAY.--The President has
proclaimed, on the recommendation of q Joint
committee of both houses OF Congress- that the
last Thursday in September be observed as a
day Of national humiliation, fasting and prayer
land the Offering Of fervent supplcations to
Almighty God for the safety and welfare of
these States His blessing on their arms, aud q
speedy restoration of peace"
This appeal to the religious feeling of the
country is both timely and appropriate, and in
accordance with the usages of foreign nations
in all times of warfare, pestilencc or famine.
The ordeal through which we are at present
10 Of oh
solemn that ii becomes us to bow our heads be-
fore the Giver Of all things, and invoke to our
aid the help of Providence, in this the season
Of our tribulation. The custom of holding fast
and Thanksgiving days was introduced into this
country by the Puritans. They had at least two
of these year, one of which was held on the
occasion of sowing, and the other on that
of reapng. At the former they impiored
The Divine blessing on all that they had
planted, While at the other they returned
thanks for a bountiful harvest The Southern
ers, we believe, more than month ago devot-
ed day to the observance Of religious duties
and, in somowiul remembrance of their own
faults and crimes, to pray for mercy, and that
they might be spared further punishment how
ever Justly deserved That the Presidents call
will he readily and heartily responded 10 by all
denominations we have no doubt. and that in
the terms Of the proclamation, the united pray
ers Of the nation may ascend 10 the Throne
Of Grace and bring down plentiful blessings
upon our troubled country, we devoutly wish.
--~-
Our New YORK TRooPs.-Since The battle of
Bull run the greatest enthusiasm has existed in
most Of the loyal States 10 bring up the Union
army to an aggregate Of five hundred thousand
| men. In Ohio forty regiments have already
been organized, and "a force of fifty thousand
more is held in reserve. Illinois supplies fifty
two thousand men, Indiana ihirty-one thou
sand and Massachusetts twenty-one thousand
New York which, under proper auspices, would
send one hundred thousand men 10 the war. has
contributed ONLY tbyty-piVht with ton hesi,tns