The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-29

IerentGovernors OF States, show that the activity
of General Scott is untiring, and that an over
whelming manifestation of military strength, is
on the eve of being made. There is every
reason to hope that bold, short, decisive cam
paign is in prospect; that, with an efficient
blockade of the Southern coast, an invasion Of
| the rebellious States on the frontier, and the
| occupation of the whole line Of the Mississippi
insurrectioR and disobedience Of the laws, will
! be put an end to before the lapse of six
months; and that, at such cost as the exgencies
eff the period demand, the country will very
soon be restored to the prosperity aud tran
| quillity which it enjoyed one year ago.
The sAlutary Effects or the War.
All are disposed to recognise the disastrous
effects of war, particularly Of civil war, in
! those States which become the theatre of
action. But the ultimate beneficial influences
| of war to society are for the most part over
| looked in its present deyastations and horrors.
| In the wise arrangements Of Providence war
! seems to be necessity-the result of a natu-
! raj law for the preservation of society-just as
much as storms and tempests, and whirlwinds
| and thunder, are the results of natural laws,
and purify The atmosphere and render it salu-
brious to man and beast while partially de.
structive to both. Partial evil is universal
good. Without war society would become
stagnant and corrupt just as would the air we
breathe without the agitation of the winds.
Without war and the sufferings which it en-
tails man would degenerate. Without war pa
triotism and heroism would die out from want
Of food Without war society would be-
come stepped in luxury and efemi-
macy, and the fighting element in the
population, instead Of being directed against
foreign foe would be turned in upon itself,
, producing faction, and turbulence and dis
order, or it would be sure to prey upon the
peaceful and orderly portion of the COM
munity.
For half a century there has been no war on
this soil, while our growth and prosperity have
advanced too rapidly for health. Young
America, North and South, was becoming almost
spoiled for want of fight. Had foreign war
sprung up it would have saved the country
FROM the affiiction Of civil war. and it would
have had the effect of uniting the people from
Maine to Texas as one man. The statesmen of
Europe find it absolutely necessary to engage
in war in order to preserve law and order, and
to prevent continual insurrection and revo-
luton. The combative, quarrelsome eleneot is
removed from society and set apart, under
separate martial government, and the seyerest
discipline, to encounter similar element sepa.
rated from the mass of the people in another
nation. Mutual destruction is the result, to the
great benefit and tranquility Of both nations.
The governments OF Europe are seldom at
loss for a pretext for war; but they would
invent one rather than let discontented
population, impatient for activity, prey upon
property, subvert law and order, and embark
in schemes Of rebellion. In the case Of the
United States there was no cause for discomfort
among the people and war conld not result
from poverty. The chief cause of the present
war is excessive prosperity. All were too
happy and too well off-too much fullness of
blood. A little phlebotomy is necessary to
relieve the nation OF its plethora. Foreign
nations would not attack u.s. because IL was not
their interest TO do So As we could get no
body else to fight with rs, we must pitch into
each other, and embark in a senciyil war,
rather than have no war at all TO crafty the
Sighting propensity.
When both sections have tried each Others
mettle in few battles and both have suffered
sufficiently from mutual determination, then
perhaps peace may be restored, and the belli-
gercnts may become better friends than ever,
both having good reason TO admire the pluck
and courage of each other The South in par
ticular seems to be blue moulded for want of
a beating" ard will never lie satisfied Of the
warlike prcwess of the North til il has felt its
blows on tie battle field After that It may
return to reason, and both sections may be-
come one nation again, united in he bonds of
mutual interest and respect for each others
rights-abolitionism and secession being put
down together, and North and South. East
and West ceasing forever to be the desirna-
tons of party or the synonyms oil sectional
animosity.
The effect Of this war will be 10 consume
party politics and lts corriptions, and the
country viii come out OF the ere like cold
purified Of its dross, better and BRIGHTER than
ever. while the chastisemeut will suffice for the
next half century, and the star Of empire viii
continue to shine brightly in the West. the
admiration and the hope or the human race in
,ho uorn aut nati6uq of Tho did yorId