Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-08-18
FROM nIoHnIoND.

A Searching Article from the Rich
mond Examiner on JeR. Davis Ad.
nltnIstrntLOn.
TIE following article we cut from a copy
ofthe Richmond Examiner, received yester-
day:
One of tho most important duties that
will deyolve upon Congress at its approch-
ing session will be to recruit tue strength of
our armies. The executive branch of the
government has depleted our armies aud
jeopardiBed our contest by au easy tolera-
zion of deserliOn and straggliug, which
have reduced our military force to an alarm
ing extent. II has trifled with the cause of
tue country; ii has.ignored the death PEN
ally in our armies; it has neglected its dis
cipline, wiuked at capital crimes, emascu-
lated the war. preached sickly sentimental
ism, aud taught thecouutry the misfortune
OF beiOg saddled with government that
takes II UoDstrous and unnatural pride 10
detying public sentiment, in treating the
cOuusels of the people with iusoleuce, aud
in suuobing advice With the air of autoo-
racy.
1t will be tor Congress to repair as best
it can tue mischief doue the public service
by II weak and impracticabIe Executive; to
look to the reduction OF our forces in the
field; the decay of military discipline; the
Decentralization of our armies, aud the jeop-
Ardy in which our cause has been put by a
long course of tritliug conduct, childish
pride of Opiuion, unworthy obstinacy, OIL
cial ohluseness, conceit, defiance of public
opinion, fmperiuusness aud despotic affec-
tation on the part of those entrusted with
the execution of the war.
II our armies had been kept whole, if de-
sertinn had been punished with the exem-
plary sentence of death, and if the great
virtue of military discipline had not been
abused by the most shameful eXcesses,
there would be no need now of exhorta-
lions 10 Congress to strengthen our armies
aud to increase their numbers by new acts
of legislation. Thef fact is, that Congress
and the legislatures of the different States
have exhausted themselves in spirit of
unimpeachable zeal aud devotion to re-.
plenisG our armies; the Recommendation
OF the Executive to raise troops by con-
scription was responded to Instantly; in
Virginia alone the militia have been called
out four or five times, and in other States
the army has been swollen beyond the
quotas required from them by troops raised
Tor local service, pnrtizan warfare, and
special exigencIes. Notwithstanding this
ready and active disposition OH the part of
the Confederate Congress and the State
Legislatures TO keep up the strength of our
armies, aud the recent levies made under
their authority, the numbers of our troops
in the field lave decreased through the NE
glect of discipline, the iud, ference of our
military com manders, aud the action of the
exeeulive branch of the government, which,
SO far from nurturiug our armies and en-
cauraging the martial spirit of the country,
ftf.
rules of discipline, AMI dampened the ar
,dOr-Of our troops by delay, inaCtion, and
uncertainty of purpose. -tf-
1t will be for Congress to adopt some
new measure to recruit the numerical
strength of our army and to act in the i'm
portant and vital exlgency that is upon us
with decision aud vigor. We see no alter
native but TO enlarge the terms of the Con-
scription Law--tO extend it's operations to
persons between the ages of eighteen and
forty 1--WE or fifty, instead of making the
latter term thirty Ave. as at first recon.
mended by the President This necessity
will be unwelcome; it may be that IL will
involve II seriOns reduction in the produ-
cling power of the country and its capacity
to sustain the armies raised for It's defence.
But the necessity, its Inconvenience, and
its dangers, win have 0een forced upon the
Country by the acts OF weak, opiuiorated
aud headslrOng executive. IL will he use
less for Congress TO indulge in recrimiua-
tions on this subject; the public will uu-
derstand and appreciate the oecessity in
which it acts; and the legislative bOiy of
the nation will consult the highest incuI-
cations OF duty 10 considering the para
mount and vital necessity of .he country
10 preference. to every other Interest or
co1cern. H. 15s.-5s s.sss
i, Il is in this sense that Congress will he
called upon to extend the provisions of the
ICp1scription Law. and to do it without
weAkdhesitation, without attention to sell
fish clAmor, without pnnctilio, ia the
spiFit.ol plain, urgent, patriotic duty. We
want more troops. Iftheissue OF this con
test is more valuable than any other inter-
est in the country we must have then at
any cost. While the North is swelling It's
armies ours are being reduced by desertiou
and struggling; these offences rapidly in
creasing tllr1ugh.t the shameful toleration of
them by the ecommander-in. chief of our ar
mics and his obsequious spbalterns. This
inverse proportion in the strength of the
Northern aud Southern armies would, If
uninterrupted, soon bring tne contest to Il
close. Congress mnst act with prompt
ness and decision; the ravages aud gaps in
our armies must be supplied with new.
truops, It isYis necessary, ts3 secnrs the
fortunes ofthis contest, to make new drafts
on our people theyleau endure ii; for what
is there Of Inconvenience, .priYation, or
hardship, that Is not preferable to the hor-
rors of subjdgationl
While our army suffers from the iux of
deserters and sIraggIers the North Is re-
doubling its exertions to crush Us, If
these exertions are not 10 be encountered
by any new ardor in the administration
of President Davis; If they are not 10 be
checked by any aggressive movement, auy
neWlessay Of policy or any departure from
the habits of the back track, Congress wifi