The national Republican., 1861-07-15
side, in ceusurs Of every detail Of governmental

siae, III cehsufe OF every detail OF governmental
action.
When the hastily collected army, suddenly
brought Into the field to defend the menaced
capitai-where all was confusion, doabt aud
dsmay, with traitors in the citadel itseif--was
to be fed without delay, the contract for lis
supply is a fraud aud enormous peculation.
and like the butcher in the Revolution, con.
signed to immortal infsmy by Patrick Henry,
their only cry heard throughout the camp is
Beet, Beef Beef If troops are judiciously
transpor ed by two routes, for greater facility,
safety, and security against interruption of the
whole by accident or traitorous design, their
howl is instantly heard wherever the electric
fash can reach, that in one Of the roads the
Secretary Of War is a stockholder. If men
long known to the Government as responsible
and reliable, with the advantage resulting from
experience, succeed in securing q contract
through intelligent bidding, the cry of favoritism
is at once raised, and Immediately it is discov.
cred that they are personally known to the
Secretary. liza sutler experienced only in the
supply Of single company is supplanted by
another OF large experience and greater capaci.
ty for the extensive and complicated duties in.
cldent to the prompt and proper supply Of large
| numbers Of men,-it is at once rank injustice
and an act Of high-handed tyranny. No act,
however, judicious or praseworthy, escapes their
censure.
II the volunteer soldery elect officers from
their own ranks, in whom they have confidence,
the Secretary of War is wrong in not placing
over them cadets from West Point. # expe.
rienced army officers are selected for promotion,
others are declared to have been shamefu!ly ne.
elected in the choice.
Nota single act is performed but there is
some one found to place upon it the mark Of
disapprobation. Like the critics upon the pic.
ture hung up by the artist in the market.place
Of Athens, they have daubed over every indi.
vidual trait of conduct, until not line of the
original remains.
We would respectfully appeal to the common
sense and justice of the people, whether the
conduct OF these captious fault.fnders and ca,
lumniators is honest, praiseworthy, or patriotic.
Grant that errors have been committed-that
confidence has been violated by those in whom
the members Of the Administration for want
Of time to choose, have trusted--and that ex.
tortions upon the necessities Of the hour have
occurred: How could these things, under the
then existing rcumstances have been guarded
against? Experience, and the deliberation,
which a well.founded confidence in our daily in
creasing strength affords, is correcting these
unavoidable abuses. What species Of patriot.
ism is that, which, on the eve Of q momentous
battle, on the result of which may hang the
fate of nation, circulates ISLANDERS among the
rauk and file Of the army to create distrust in
the capacity and fidelity of their officers7
Whatever be the assumed motive, if not rank
treason, it fuds its impulses in Q similar senti.
ment.
Until the battle is joined and the victory
! won, let US hear no more Of these denuncations
Of those in whose hands the people have en-.
trusted their present destiny, and as it would
now appear, that of their posterity for sll time
TO come.
Let US rather applaud the results of labor
as enormous as it is unparalleled and efficient
strengthen their hearts and hands by our i'm
plicit confidence, and leave the subject of their
errors aud wrong doiugs, if any such have oc
CURED or been perpetrated, 70 the calm aud
unbiased judgment Of the secure and peaceful
future.
1t will be then time enough to discriminate
as to the conduct of our rulers, and to award
that verdict, which shall stamp with honor or
disgrace their names upon the pages of history.
Whatever tends to impair the confidence of
the people iu the rulers OF their own choice iu
this great crisis, weakens their hands, impsirs
their efficiency, disheartens our friends, and en-.
courages our adversaries, and is little short oi
treason, in effect, if not in motive, W the cause
Of our country and Of mankind.