New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-11
WAR POLICY OF TIE ADMINrsTRA.
TION.
Mjlftary Aspect OF Virginia md Maryland
Probable Effect Of the War upon the
Trade and Finances Of rho Norfh-Manner
by which it may be Counteracted.

py winch ~ may ne connteructed'
In great crisis it is the nauralnpulse Of patriotic
spirit 10 sustain the Government whether it be well or
ine.fcieDuy administered.
In an intelligent community, like ours, there must,
however, be limit to this concession Tits quite i'm
possible that the free people of the Northern Staes
can be induced to yield implicit faith to the wisdom
and efficiency Of the officers ntrusted with the admins
traton of public affairs, without some knowledge Of
their plans and the mode of execution. 1t is not my
purpose to 20 into censoTos criticism Of the measures
Of the Administraio ,but think it justiable to ex-
anime the general course Of policy lately initiated, and
see il s adequate to meet the peril to which the
country is exposed. ....... -....
In the struggle which has commenced, II is, in
deed desirable to seek for encouragement rather than
to refer to difficulties tending to discourage hope OF sue
cess. Stll think it wire when active exertion is
called for that the magnitude Of the crisis, and the ex
tent of the effort required should be fully understood
should have little hope for the country, if success
full resistance TO the foul conspiraces Ly which our
Government il threatened was TO depend upon mere
temporary enthusiasm and sanguine confidence OF
immediate victory. The character Of the citizens OF
the Free States Is believe not so subject 70 epheme-
raj npulses 81 to be lightly moved, nor when once
aroused to be easily quelled.
The universal uprising Of tie Northern people in de-
tense Of our national existence s subme spectacle.
II hope Of the permanence Of our Government
Yet the strength Of the combination which has been
orgouized gainst us ought not to be underesnlated
Defeat is generally the consequence of making too
eight account of really formidable adversary.
In coming down the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
some two weeks since, was much struck with the
ich ann nts hal X
elusive use of that great route from the Western States
to the Atlantic There was at that time interference
by our Government with the trrnsit Of passengers and
freight the effect of which YVES that any amount Of
supplies could be sent through TO Baltimore which at
that time las il st is was in open revolt and there
was entire facility Of intercourse between that city and
Har,er's Ferry at which astnamed place considera-
bic force of Seeessonists was then concentrated.
In slrategical point of view, this communication
was Of the highest consequence to the Rebel army. 1t
enabled them to throw a larger force into Baltimore If
II should be requted also to receive aid from that
rccusan place, if belligernt operations should first
transpire in Virginia
Since that time military force has been placed by
our Government at the Relay House where the road
dyerges from the route between Baltimore and Wash
ngton the residue, however, Of this great avenue,
from the Ohio the Chesapeake, 379 miles in extent,
is still subject 10 the control Of Virginia.
Without Assuming any great professional knowledge
of military strategy cannot help thinking that there
risks It'll remaining even after the occupation
of the southern terminus. let. march easily be
made the lnty TO Baltimore from some point
beyond the Junction; I'd. There lie an uninterrupted
line of communication from Harpers Ferry, by way of
Winchester, with Alexandria and Richmond, there
being raroad most Of tie way. This not only fur
nishes the means of Transporting military forces and
munitions to any point where they are required, but
there is also the opportunity Of intercepng the
munication between Baltimore and Washington by
rapid march from some point between Harpers Ferry
and Alexandria
Ii is time tha. the Federal forces might also interrupt
the communication from Hsrper's Ferry with the
South but in the present state of things the Rebels
have tie advantage in facility Of movement; and, be-
side the risk is far greater part from any disas
ter that might occur had the impression then and it
is not removed by anything that has since occurred
that we are losing much which might otherwise be
gained in consequence of apparently premeditated
policy on Tie part Of the Administration not TO occupy
any position in Virginia. Ihope daily to some evil
dence that this of policy is not 10 be persisted in
but SO long shall be- there can be question that
we are curaled Of several important strategetical
movements which Gen. Scott, Of course, well under
stands how TO avail himself OF, if not restrained by
other considerations
The question is often asked what is likely TO be the
duration Of the wsr-w il be determined by great
battle, OF be resolved into guerilla contest In
my Judgment the first series Of operations will have
reference to Baltimore II that city shall be brought
into thorough bordnation and the passage OF troops
from the North shall longer be disputed, then it is
most likely the contest on the part Of Virginia will
be altogether defensive. .. ..
In the latter case it il obvious that careful prepare
ton is called for. have great confidence that the
Communicating Chief, when lie shall have at his dspo-
sal all that he considers necessary will fully come up
to all that is expected from his military genius and ex
perienee
Other considerations are however, involved.
bgh-spirted and enterprisng people cannot he long
held in suspense, waiting for some protracted demon
stration Of profound policy generalship. 20 those
who have pecuniary interests at stake the question
becomes practical and urgent as TO calculations re-
speeding future business The worst that could happen
would net be TO them disastrous than the wasting
of their energy aud resources in hopeless inacton.
The patriotic feeling which has been exhibited in all
the Free States would be, wisely directed power Of
incalculable strength But it may not be understood
by The executive officers of the country that thspower
ID not TN ordinary element in the resources OF the
nation. Ii the present disorders should continue long
if trade should be broken up--our merchants become
bankrupt, and poverty press hard upon the labOring
class and there should still be occasion for new loans
and new levies Of men-such spontaneous devotion
Of lie and property we have lately witnessed might