New-York daily tribune., 1861-08-24
TIL. SPECIAL CORREsPONDEaT OF
THE LONDON TIWE9.

There Is just now going on in the newspapers
of the North most foolish and unjust series Of
attacks upon Mr.. Russell. the special correspond
ent Of The London Tines. His letter W the
journal he represents, concerning the oa'uo vi
Bull Run, appears to have produced tbis OUT
burst Of unreasonable indignation. lt IS not
sasv to oi,coyer in the letter roferred to any
thing which could justify these tpyeotiyes against
the writer. Dir. Russell, coming ID this coun.
try 10 geo aud describe the events OF the present
strife, looks at both sides with an intelligent eye,
and is led by the irresistible logic OF facts TO de-
clare that the causs of the South Is weak. This
conclusion be state, 10 words, aud quito as
strongly by implication. He has thus shown that
be has at least 70 prejudice in favor OF the re.
beion. Then, fddng that the Grst really i'm
portsnt battle between the armies Of Freedom
and Slavery is to be fought, he hasteus to take
part in it as a spectator Before he has fairly
reached the battlefield, he finds hmss!f involved
in the coil Of aJing thousands, and secs passing
by bin, in most pusllanimous haste, the
force upon whose courego rested the
honor OF this Republic. He iustnctively
strives TO stem the rushing tide, but cannot even
succeed in obtaining the most meager inforula-
ton as to the cause Of tbs rout. tho extent OF
tho disaster, or the probability OF pursuit BY the
enemy. Finding that one Of the beIgerent
parties has thus disgncefully melted away in
friabt. and that 40 more Of the battle Is to be
fought. he turns hi, borse's head toward the cap
pital, and follows the dusty cloud which covers
the retresting throug Along the road, piled
high iu significant disorder. ho sees valuable
stores, heaps Of srms-swords, muskcts and ar
liIlery. Coming once moro 30 Washington, he
finds the hotels Tiled with the motley crowd OF
officers and men. each apparently actuated alone
BY q strong desire for selfpreservation, darken.
ing the air with tho most absurd stories, colored
and distorted by fright Then taking bis pen he
writes an account Of what bis eyes bad seeD, bis
ears heard. The moderate tone Of his letter
must have struck all canoid readers. The mar
rstiye is quiet, and evidently less uncomplimen-
tary TO those who Ged Ia disorder than the facts
would have authorized. But it Is not soothing
70 our pride; it could not be aud continue truth
ful. Therefore, while the papers referred to are
forced 10 acknowledge tie justice Of his strict
ure,, aud although the Journals throughout the
country, day after day, came out with words
from editors and correspondents tesfold more
bitter thsa those OF Nr. Russell, they unite in
y,1Israting hun for his SsrrStiye. and on &C.
count Of it. heap sbuae upon the paper he rcp-
resenls.
1t is time that we rid our'elge, Of the feoish
seasilgeness which causes US TO shrink from
criticism by strangers, Of tho testiue,s which inn
pels us 20 insult the writer who states what ho
believes TO be The truth, Of the injustice which
refuse. 10 Others tho liberty Of speech We insist
upon for ourselves. MFR. Russell would have
given more complete picture Of the battle of
Bul Run If ho bad seen tho actual fight. aud
therefore would have avoided tho seeming in-
justice lis narrative does the National troops.
But he has written nothing which justifcs tho
offensive attacks which have beea mado upon
him ~ so many Of our journals.