The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-06


There has been great deal OF rejoicing at
the recent victory at Hatteras Inlet, and dis
position to magnify it beyond its just proper
tions. There have been also loud congratula-
tions on the notes Of warlike preparation from
Maryland to Missouri 1t may be all very well
to rejoice at past success, at the prospects of
it for the future; and there is. no doubt that
the Hatteras victory Is very good as far as it
goes provided the fruits of it are secured, and
that the advantage is promptly and vigorously
followed up by other achievements. 1t must
be said, however, as a drawback to the capture
of the Hatteras forts, that there is no reason
why it should not have been done three months
ago. The government and the officer in chief
command of the navy were q long time coming
to the point that the forts at Hatteras Inlet
could be successfully assailed. The necessity
existed in May last as much as now, and the re-
Perhaps in that case no Bull run defeat would
have furnished the federal arms, and the cause
of the Union might have been in a very diffe-
rent position from what it is to-day. We had
then men, and money, and guns, and ammuni-
ton, and vessels of war, or if we had not
enough of ships, they were offered to the go
vernment by merchants of this city and
refused. Now that the ice has been
broken, and something creditable in a
naval way accomplished at last, let us
not delay to make too much selfglorif-
cation about it, but proceed at once to other
and greater achievements by sea and by land
There is much to be done and short time to
do it, unless it is resolved to make the war in
terminabe
AS for the vigorous preparations of General
which he is moulding mere military mob into
an army, the country and the government have
reason to rejoice that events have brought out
such military leader. We have every con-
fidence in his ability and vigor. But it must
be confessed that there is evidence of great
want of skill and energy in Western Virginia
and Missouri, otherwise there would not be SC
many repulses and disastrous retrograde move
ments. The true path to victory and to a
speedy termination Of the war is down the Mis-
sissippi, and in order to a successful expedition
in that direction Fremont ought to be
vigorously supported by men and money
and arms and munitions of war. The
conquest of Missouri and the reduction
of Kentucky, if she will not take her place as g
loyal State in the Union, are the first steps and
necessary preliminaries to the descent of the
Mississippi
Red tape must be laid aside, and circum
locution and all discussions about who
ought to be retained in the Cabinet, who
turned out, and who to succeed the
elected be abandoned. Instead of wasting
time in debating and squabbling about arm.
! and navy contracts-whether Cameron's friend
or Stewards, or Chases, or Welles' is to get thi
| fat job, or that or the other-the Cabinet as
unit ought to rise to the height of the grea
crisis by which the existence of the Union i
jeopardized and come directly to the question
of its preservation with single purpose to d.
or die. The system Of government founded b,
our ancestors is on its trial before the world
democracy itself trembles in the balance, ant
mankind are viewing with deep interest tn
! conflict which is to decide the question whethe
the American people are capable of self-govern
ment, or whether they must fall back upon TIL
worn out systems of military despotism whicl
| control the destinies of Europe, or, what woult
be still more deplorable, degenerate into tn
perennial disorder, barbarism and bloody an
archy which have characterized the history @
Mexico for the last forty years.
]
had concurrent accounts from various quarter
| going to show the desoation which this ma