New-York daily tribune., 1861-08-26

srae5 the aenabe incapacity that must have existed
st the time when the fortunes Of country were
staked upon great battle.
have thus unreservedy admitted the extent OF our
disaster and stated its paiation. 1t is due to our
national honor that should notice the report Of Mr.
Russell to The London Times. II was, in my judg.
ment unworthy Of the high position which that gentle
man held. casual newspaper correspondent might
be pardoned for mistake exaggeratOni but the con-
fdentia reporter Of the most renowned newspaper IN
England IL TO bo judged by more severe rule. Ills
report Of the battle as it has TO US from England
far from being candid and careful resume OF all
that should have been learned by him, is nothing but
pictorial sketch Of the disorder in the rear which, 1t
seems, was all that be sar; while he heeandor
TO admit that he not present at the battle, saT
nothing Of the conflict, and really kntw nosing ex-
oept the fight of teamsers and Members OF Congress,
in wlich Mr. Russell seems to hare joined ''m dt0Ml
he same amount of courage that ras erhi6'tsd by tie
| gentlemen aforesaid.
| H. Since the campaign has failed 10 be decisive IN
favor Of the Federal Government-has, in fact been
disastrous beyond what could have been anticipated by
| the most doubful-and are now compelled TO iaii
back upon the resources OF the North for protracted
war-we nvoluntarIy look at the constituency OF The
present Administration TO see II il be such as can COM
mAnd the united support OF tue country III 'no PV'''"
tous struggle which we have before us'
| Iprofess adherence to the principles of the Repub-
lco Marty which is nothing than confession of
! faith in favor of the North; but do not believe IN
the propriety Of using the patronage Of the Govern.
ran Sor the reward of partzans. The crisis ia too
pcrertous to adult Of the exercise Of any private
friendship. All political preferences must yield to tho
one consideration is required for the
4 a IL in yyhi
| involved for our national existence.
II cannot admit Of question that the ablest men OF
tho country should be called into the National Admin
! istrs,iop Has II been done L. the Cabinet OF Mr..
Lincoln eomposed Of the abest men that can be found
in , countryl The unanimous opinion Of the public
from Maine to Kansas is entirely opposed to this do
No. knovv lut there is somo emasculang influence IN
the very atmosphere Of Washington. Aen who have
been much relied upon do not appear to be the same
| when brought within the chasm which seems TO per-
wade the Federal District. This remark applies not
merely 10 the heads Of Departments, bu to members
of Congresa. hoped to bave seen noble seli-saer
feiup spirit In the proceedings Of Congress at the last
se.sion. On the contrary, while there was proper
di.rosi,ion 10 support tho Government by vote in
favor of the loan and Of taxes &c. there has been no
exhibition of the spirit Of retrenchmont which, in
such crisis IA is now impending, might have been
looked for. The pay Of members Of Congress should
| baye been reduced In such strife As we are now
Involved in our representatives should have been will
ING 10 have served for their bare expenses. Still more
rrcnp WA. the necessity that the salaries OF public
| oalcers. especially DIPLOMATIC should be reduced.
Think II will be found an error the consequences OF
which will be far-Ieaehing that no action was taken
upon this subject
with this briefnotice pass from this to another and
more important consideration.
I'LL. Can we successfully maintain the contest with
I Southern Secession without change IN the Federal
| Government There will scarcely be dissenting
voice tlroughou, the whole North that there is ne
c,s,iiy for the change know not how members Of
tic Cabinet can have been seidcceiyed as not 10
have observed the strong influence Of public opinion.
II i lot merely that we have met with disaster in the
trial of military strength. Public confidence has been
weakened TO still greater intent by the belief Of com
/ uliei,y by the War Department in the nnInberess
frauds which have been committed in army contracts.
h not s,v that this belief well founded. IL s sui-
Glen, that the conviction IL thoroughly fixed in the
publc mind This Of iiseltis sufficient to require q
pirnaion by the Secretary Of tha; Department. He
,naN nerue himself from blame he chooses by
Investigation and the Committee appointed by Con-
eres 10 inanirs into abuses has sufficient power for
that purpose but know not what Justification there
can be for retaining Office when all popular support is
wanting.
Az TO the Navy Department, the charge is not 20
much completely by the Secretary, as his utter nef-
cjercy. Il il now hagrant that the blockade which
our Government announced to the world has been an
utter failure. Time enough has elapsed to have made
no for any deficiency Of vessels there might have been
ri Grs Tie continued ineiciency Of the action Of the
Department ia that respect is such as to expose us 10
the coutcmlt of al commercial nations
Tie course has usually been in England, when a
Ministry has exposed itself any charge of neglect
ncompetency 20 scrious 10 TO impair public support
that il il compelled to resign Ayoto by the House Of
| Commons of want OF confidence is decisive.
So resolution Of inquiry into alleged misconduct
has ofen had lie same effect. The Aberdeen Ministry
was thus compelled to resign in ls5j upon charge Of
! nlisrnanagement Of the Crimean war.
! We lsye no such summary mode Of compelling tie
rossnlton Of Cabinet officers. Yet believe it would
have been great public advantage if the House Of
Represonativos, before the late adjournment of Con
/ prr.s hal declared the necessity of change. Ii
( would At Least have embodied the opinion now uDveT
sally prevalent.
! Il might have been expected that our capitalists
woud when called To determine upon taking the loan
asked by the Government, have prescribed tho condi-
fon tha The Cabinet shoull be reconstructed TO
| restore public confidence.
j, seeus 10 lave been left entirely 10 the popular
voice. IL uay lie that there will be no decisive express
sion til new disasters shal have occurred. These,
however ere inevitable. II seems that 10 learn
wisdom only by hard experience. hope yet to zee an
energy and patriotism developed which are now latent