New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-05-24
rHR THING TO BE DONE.

oral views for n full month. 1t is its Pohoy VI
being everything by turns and nothing long
that confuss. NJ. When it, in tho early days
of tbe Pebelop. called loudly and iiercey for
more vigorous and energetic action on 'no P','
IF the Government we heartily Respondent
,,ornb xe did not 60 the length OF The ImeS
IN suggesting that the President chosen by the
peopls should be superseded by some dictator
Nominated by COMMITTEES of Safety. When
Tie Times urged an advance into Rebeldom
Of our soldiers huddled about Washington
and being drilled in nothing but debauch'
cry we co0perated with all our might;
but when an advance had been made, without
method, or concert, or faith, or heart, and had
been 80 sbamefully mismanaged as to result IN
discraceful defeat, 10! The Times Topped
over and condemned it as result OF the
promptipps of THE TRIBUNE, adding revela-
tons of certain confidential communipgs OF an
earlier date between its Editor and Gen.
Scott, wherein the old veteran was made to
declare that no advance should be made before
November! Such betrayal OF the trampled
Western North Carolina, aud other Union
localities of the Seeded States, we rejoice in
knowing never commended itself to our judy.
ment. even though backed BY the great fame
of Gen. Scott.
The Times soon after sailed on new tack,
in which we were glad to bear it company.
" Wanted, Policy" was the title OF one OF
its most vigorous leaders, wherein it demon
rtrated the urgent and vital necessity of q
well.defned. well.understood, line of action on
the part of the Government with regard to
the various questions raised by the Rebellion
and consequent War. The views thus cogen'ly
expressed were sound aud important; we said
Amen to them with clear conscience, hearty
goodwill. But hardly had public opinion COM
nlenced flowing in the channel thus traced for
il Nv The Times, when that journal wore
round again, and insisted that it were better
the Government should have no policy with re-
gard TO the various Slavery questions necessarily
started by the War, but let each Commanding
General deal with them as the exigencies OF
the public service should in his judgment re-
ouire. We could not indorse this new doe
trine Of The Times, partly for want of the re-
quisite agility; partly because We had heartily
assented to that which it contradicted. Well:
/ il, due time, Gen. Hunter acts upon The
Tfmess later recOmmendatiOn--acts vigorously,
decisiyely, and We doubt not cOnscentously
Hereupon Tie Times turns upon him rabidly
holds aim up TO public reprobaton as usurper
and an IDIOT. aud calls for his removal from
command 1t seems that Pro-Slavery orders
by our Generals were alone contemplated and
justified in advance by our versatile coteni-
porary. Now we understand.
Yes, we understand, but we cannot concur. I
We believe the Nation is drifting to greater
peril if not to fearful disaster Tor want of that
definite and uumsiakable policy on the leading
phases Of the Slavery question which The Times
formerly urged but which it now repudiates.
We do not wish to see our Generals issuing
Proclamations. or Orders affecting Slavery save
IN obedience t. Uniform directions from the
White House; but those directions, we think,
ought long since to have been given We hold
that each Commanding General should have been
explicitly directed from tie War Department,
uuder the instruction of the President, what to
say and what 10 do with regard 70 these classes
Of Backs respectively:
!. Those who having been engaged in the
Military or Naval service of the Rebels, whether
as lighters or merely as workers, come TO or
are found within our lines.
.hn dare
service TO the Rebellion, are yet loyal aud
willing Unionsts, claimed by Rebels ~ their
slaves.
3. Those loyal Unonisis who are claimed as
slaves by men processing loyalty and not proved
guilty OF unfolding the Rebellion.
I. Free negroes fleeing from or found BY
our troops in Secessis, and ready to show their
good will to the Union cause.
). Slaves (if such white backbirds there be,
who have fallen into our possession, yet who
masters.
A simple Presidential Proclamation, or Order
from the War Department, covering the whole
ground superseding all conflicting orders or
proclamations by Commanding Generals, would
stop oil wrangng on the subject. aud substi-
lute certainty for perpleAity, uniformity for d.
yers,y. We believe it would prove of great
service 10 the Union cause. Why should it be
withheld or delayed The 81. LOuis Republican,
leading Douglas Democratic journal--calls for
it as loudly, as earnestly, as we DO. Can q
plausible reason be assigned for deprecatiog its
issue' Can Commanding General be fairly
blamed. in the absence of such direction, for