The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-09
The Policy of the Administration To-
wards Military Chiefs.

When rebellion eliminated, in April last, in
armed attacks upon federal troops and fede-
raj fortress, no other means were left to the gov
eminent to effect its suppression, but superior
force, and an appeal to the loyalty of tho co,,n-
try to aid it in maintaining the threatened inte-
gritty of the Union. 1t was necessary, in order
to accomplish this stupendous work that armies
should be raised and organized that command
ers should be selected that the republic should
be divided into military departments, and that
the best men should be everywhere selected to
exercise military and civil control The indi-
yiduals thus chosen became, in degree, by the
very nature Of things, Kind of viceroys, or
rather acting Vice Presidents of the sections en-
trusted to their charge. Mere generalship was
perhaps. no more essential qualification than
statesmanlike ability. energy tempered with
moderation. familiarity with the laws and en-
lightened, iarsighted patriotism. Nevertheless.
though very much was left to their discretion.
they remained subject to the dictation of the
President. upon whom alone dcvolve response
hilities to the people for the manner in which the
salvation Of the land from the evils that encom-
pass IT, is to he effected.
President Lincoln chose persons, utterly ire
spective Of past party ties, and with sole refe-
renee to the estimation in which they were held
By the public and the prestige they had OBJ
tanned by past services to the country, in impos.
ing npoa them the onerous and re-
sponsible task Of commanding the federal
forces. and fostering loyalty in disaiccted
districts. Mcclellan, Fremont, Dix, Mcdowell,
Butler Cadwalader, Banks and others. each
appeared 10 possess high claims to notice which
were promptly recognized and which sub
eeq,lcnt events have proved 10 have been more
or less well founded. While. however, the
military organization Of the United States was
progressing. came the disaster of Bull run.
The grand army Of the Potomac, goaded on by
incendiary abolitionist partisans, met with sig
nal disaster, and its Commander Chief lost
the confidence Of the North in his ability. while
il willingly yielded TO bis integrity and vgor.
The President stepped forward promptly to the
rescue. The control OF the army on the Poto-
mac was changed, and its destinies were en-
trusted 10 young chiettain who had already
won laurels for himself III Western Virginia
and exhibited. on small scale, talent which
had acquired for him the admiration Of the
whole people. It was exactly the right thing
10 do II was wise measure OF policy. and
The appointment of General Mcclellan restored
iliHnediate confidence. and has already cNaced
the memory Of The defeat OF General Mcdowell.
Next in Importance 10 that of Virginia stands
mdsputably the Department. of The West,
| divided recently into two but which originally
included in its limits the entire valley of The
Mississippi with the two doubtful States of
Missouri and Kentucky swaying in the balance.
The wise management OF General Anderson in
the latter State has secured il 60 the Union
The former with the whole OF the upper region
commanding the Mississippi river, was given to
John {. Frcment. Il man who had been promi-
neut candidate for The Presidency of the United
states. only four years ago. whose military
anlecedents and personal popularity commend
ed him to the public; and generally regarded as
possessed Of uncquallcd qualifications for the
high post he has since held. Every one--we,
the people, the government and crowds Of in