The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-17

principal or the interest OIL their INVESTMENT
They will sustain and stand by the government
TO the last
MILITARY RULE NECESSARILY AN IRON RuIE-
The MAN FOR THE OCCAaoN-The soldier-like
decision and energy with which the recent mu-
tinies in the Seventy-ninth and Second Maine
regiments of volunteers were quelled and pun
Sshcd by General Mcclellan viii do more to
restore the morale of our army than half dozen
victories. A commander who deals thus fear
4essly and severely with an element which has
never held itself bound by strict military laws
and which is apt to break out on slight pretexts
into acts of insubOrdination, cannot but inspire
confidence and respect. Sach leader will be
followed with blind attachment and devotion
while commanders like Patterson kill out not
only every spark of patriotism, but every feel
ing of military pride and self-respett in those
who serve under him.
regular army training mcnlcates obedience
as the first duty of the soldier. No man is fit
to command others who has not been accus-
toned to square his conduct by this rule. Hence
1t is that we find so many greivous blunders
committed by volunteer officers, which even
the bravery that they display does not
atone for. To this contempt of authority
may be traced many of the mischanccs
that have attended our arms. and unless il is
put down with firm hand it will be followed
Joy many more. How can it be expected that
sabordnate officers will respect the orders of
those placed over them when these in their turn
disregard the first rules of military discipline?
IN the conduct of Col. McCunn, on whom court
martial is now sitting at Washington, we have
another instance of the misplaced ambition
which tempts men to assume positions for
which they are not fitted This officer. it is
charged, treated defantly the orders of his mill
tary superior 1t would have been much better
Cor his own character and for the good of the
service if he had remained at home, administer
ing the law in the court of which he is Judge
Instead of going to Washington to set an ex-
ample as law breaker to the troops under his
command General Mcclellan is just the man
10 deal with these hybrid aad refractory war
riors. By the time it again becomes necessary
For the troops under his orders to take the field
We opine that there will be precious few of
Them in positions of command.
FOREIGN DIscOURAGEAnsNT OF PRIvATEERING-
a few days ago we had occasion to complain Of
the conduct of the Dutch authorities at the
Island Of Curacao, in allowing the privateer
Sumter to enter one of its ports and remain
there for week, during which time the pr-
fateersman had every facility for reftting, pro
Yisioning and coaling. 1t now appears that on
the 18th of July, when the vessel in question
arrived at the island, the Governor had not re-
eeived the instructions of his government rea
Five to the war in the United, States which have
hince come to hand. They are as follows
According to the Kings orders the Ministers of Foreign
Affairs of Justice and Of the Navy, hereby notify whom
Poever it may concern that in order to preserve strict
neutrality during the existing troubles in the United
states OF America no prvateers under whatever flag and
without prizes shall be admitted seaports except
ing in cases Of distress, and that the necessary orders
shall be given under all circumstances to oblige such pr
vateers and their prizes to proceed to sea immediately
1t is, therefore, to be hoped that we shall
hear no more of privateers being harbored in
the Dutch West Indies; and in order to guard
against similar favors being shown to the
Southern marauders in the adjoining islands be-
longing to Denmark, it will be well for the
Secretary of State to communicate with the
Danish Minister on the subject without delay.
SECRET CoNsPIRAcIEs IN NEW YORK AND
acknowledgements will commit an error
if it continues to ignore the movements of
Southern agents and Southern sympathizers,
which are beginning to make themselves felt in
This city and its neighborhoed There is an OF
ganized effort being made to embarrass the
loyalty of our citizens, soldiery and of the adj
rTministration, by all kinds of pettifogging
action Of mischievous description, and cal
'culated to connive at treason. BY means of
iwrits Of habeas corpus, attachments, injunc-
lions, and just such annoyances as led to serious
disturbances few weeks ago in St. Louis and
Baltimore, individuals in New York and Brook
ayn are making trouble here. For safety's
sake, prisoners have been sent from Maryland
10 Fort Lafayette, and these have been made
fhe nucleus for sundry malcontents to hinge
disturbing influences upon, and the courts have
been pressed into their service. This ought to
be put a stop to summarily and decidedly.
The administration should take measures for
proclaiming martial law with the least possible
'belay, and every individual who embarasses
the efforts that have been made to suppress re-
ebellion-whether't through the press, or by com
bined outside action, should meet with his
deserts Organize our local forces and let mar
Eial law rule.
= Personnl Intelligence.
Mrs. Lincoln, accompanied by Mrs. Grimsey left the
metropolitan Hotel ten O'Clock yesterday morning for
kong Branch.
Major General John Wool is route for the seat
f war. He left the St. Nicholas Hotel yesterday morn
Eng, accompanied by his Aid Lieutenant Reed, and pro-