Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-10-03
Tho Contrast.

! Alta public meeting 10 New Hampshire, SEN
ator Hale, Of that State, is reported to have
said: 81 may be ordered to Fort Warren for
the expression am about to make; but do
not hesitate to declare that there 10 nothing that
can parallel the exhibition of ability, vigor and
resources shown by the Confederate Govern
ment, except the inoapacity and imbeoility Of
our own" Senator Hale has not yet been sent
to Fort Warren; and will not be. That place
is reserved for Democrats, who at some former
day may have offended Cabinet officer and
who are badgered with false charges of disloy-
atty now.
What Is the secret of the contrast between
rebel efficiency and governmental helplessnessi
When the Confederate Government was organ
lied, the opposition was at once associated 10
the Administration. Stephens, who ran with
Douglas, was made Vice President. A Cabinet
OF all parties was constructed. When Cabinet
officers were proved inefficient, they were dis.
missed. Laggard Generals were cashiered,
deserters shot, speculators punished. The South
was organized on war basis.
President Lincoln, on the other hand, made
up his Cabinet out of the dead wood Of the Chi.
cago Convention. Seward, Chase, Cameron,
bitee, were all bis rivals and enemies OF each
other-all disappointed and rejected men!-
These worn out politicians had their followers
70 provide for, and they fed them upon the
plunder OF the treasury, upon the epoils of pat
ronage. In the crisis of the first battle of Bul
Run, the President was engaged In settling pal
try claims OF parlisans to postofnces; and four.
teen months later, when Washington was i1
hourly danger Of capture, was busy making uI
partisan lists of Tax Collectors and Assessors
selecting them upon occasion from the expos
ed and condemned shoddy contractors.
Our army, at conIuncture when the fortunes
oil the whole Contest we're dependent upon It.
has been sacrificed to Political jealousies. An.
other General, whose name has always beer
associated with defeat, has been kept In com
mand by the nepotism of Cabinet Ministers
ALI the while the energies Of the Government
have been directed against the press, or the
free discussion Of citizens, or to seconding the
private revenges and political hates of mer
who have secretly instigated accusations against
their nelghbors. Never on 60 great an occa
sion had an Administration confided Itself Il
such paltry objects!
But did not Mr.. Lincoln preface his inaugura
oath by the declaration that he considered th,
decision Of the Supreme Court, in regard to th,
subject OF slavery, as not binding upon him
while he felt bound TO obey the instructions
the Chicago platform? A stream never rise
higher than ice fountain, nor 50 administration
than its head
All this while the people have placed in tn,
hands OF the President OF Washington unlimit
ed resources Of men and money, arms, lips
and public credit.
1t is Customary to say, in excuse TO. the pres
ent state OF affairs, that the Confederacy hsl
exhibited unexpected resources. True; br. haI
not the North shown a power and wealth o.
means equally surprisiDg2 We have raises
armies such as Europe never equalled, navie
which have never been surpassed In extent
OF III the use of modern improvements of war
fare. We have spent money at rate tha
etartles the most exHavagant schemers of th
old World. There Is not an invention of wa
plated ship, mammoth gun, marine ran
erAl telegraph, balloon of reconnaissance, div
ing bell, or pontoon-Which we have not hsG
No army ever marched or navy ever sailed
with such pay, or provision, or armament, q
ours.
We stood as immeasurably above our aG
versarles, in resources, on the last days ba
tie at Bull Run as year ago. We are no
as Tar above them as at any time--if we hs
men in charge of public affairs capable {
handling these resources. There, and thel
alone, the contest lies between ourselves an
our automatically Y. argus.