Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-07-23
THE LONDON MORNING HERALD ON THE BAT
TIE OF BETHEL.

We iiad in the London Morning Herald, OF June 20,
an article on the Battle of Bethel opening with the re-
mark that the war in Virginia has a. last commenced
with an encounter mos disastrous the Federal forces
After describing the laundering advance of the Federal
troops and the fight ami speaking Of the imbecity Of
their commanders" the Herald says:
IL seems clear that the expedition miserably mis-
managed throughout Attempts are made to throw the
blame gu the chief in command Gen. Pierce who said
10 have entirely lost his presence of mind IL is very
likely that he more to blame than the rest OF the
officers aud that the story against hin may be traced TO
the natural anxiety of his subordnates TO shift the blame
from the shoulders OF many to those Of one /. cannot
be denied that the moral result OF the encounter likely
to be disastrous to the North 1t has disclosed the real
weakness OF their military system. We are told by per.
sons on whose word rely, among others by re-
spectabe correspondent New York. that IL ia not an
uncommon thing for tailor or grocer in some obscure
country town obtain the commission of colonel by
putting and pushing himself By al manner OF dishonest
means-such as the publication Of false elegraphic
cages the sending of fictitious paragraphs 10 the news
papers along with fee to the edtorwe cease TO be sur
prised at the roaenness Of the Federal army.
drunken man may be sobered by falling into cold
water The friends Of the Northern Americans must sd
mi. that they have been ndugirg lately in too much
yaugorous tax. This reverse at the commencement OF
the war, Il il teach them more becoming humility,
will certainly be useful 10 them. prudent man does
about DeIOre u-seL tstou-
sbips aAhnsr in which he TO annihilste bis ad
ar.s,y There Is all to 6s:ance in the world between
n.r.1dsr the Great ard DOmbsstes Fgrose. This ac-
edsnt may do for the North on small scale, What the
Crmean war did for II may teach them the vices Of
their system and its Iusuceucy for great emergencies
ike the present The time Of public calamity is your
bas; public reformer. No dllettante ftesmeni those
at the helm 6Ss; themselves with q new end trem-
bling eagerness about TIE sgat 5"siness entrusted to
them by nation. Let few more nisfertu5ec happen,
eh as this last and the corruption that lies at the root
OF the fabric OF American statecrait smiled upon or dis.
regarded 10 tines Of peace will be torn and scattered
20 the winds Axe the sSTs9s Of another BasIie, amid
the shouts of IN indignant peGpre.
1t is time 1dsed for the North to set lis house " or
Ger aud 10 look well to whstt ia Going. II any thing
should happen TO the veteran Scott tue COMMAND OF the
.rmv W., deyolve upon youth, hitherto uubesrd
NJ add quite iosxp roed. The South appears to mum
Der arnons It's commanders men 81 sonc aelly, VINO
understand the conduct Of campaign. They e'as
uaed the adyarced position Of harper Ferry; event
which we predicted inevitable some days snss, and
concentrated powerful army at Manassas Gap place
said TO be easy Of defence and where the Southerners
W not ouly bar the advance of tie Federal army fur
hes but present imposing and very threatening front
tosarSs Washington.