The New York herald., 1862-01-19
Our Atlantic and Mississippi Expeditions
and the Duty OF Congress.

and the Duty OF Congress.
Rebellion is already surrounded with cor
don Of Union forces, and, while the Army of
the Potomac holds Beauregard in check, new
expeditions upon the Atlantic and Mississippi
are moving rapidly and irresistibly forward.
Those persons who complain of inactivity and
tardiness in our Commanderin-Chief should
glance at our telegraphic and other intelli-
gence, and mark that not only do our forces
hold many strong points along the rebel
borders, but that also General Burnside's ex-
pedition may at any hour report Union vic
tory, General Buell's forces are advancing in
Kentucky, and in General Hallecks division
the greatest activity is discoverable. Now, all
these movements are predetermined at Wash
ington, are ordered by General Mcclellan, and
form parts of great general plan, the result
of which will be the speedy and triumphant
crushing out of the rebellion Public attention
seems altogether too much concerned about the
Army of the Potomac and should take into se
rious account these extensive advances else
where. General Mcclellan, like an experienced
chess player is placing his forces in position all
over the board, and thus prepares for sudden
and inevitable checkmate. He has promised
us short and desperate war, and will keep his
promise Only, like Morphy, he takes time to
carefully arrange his men before making the
quick, decisive, conclusive moves which insure
victory.
Indeed, our only fear is that time enough has
not been taken for careful preparation. Only
ignorant or unthinking men clamor for hasty
onward movements; and, for ourselves, we
should have preferred waiting until April next
before making a general advance. The time
thus occupied in drilling our soldiers and ac-
cumulating our strength would have been more
than regained in the brevity of our final move
ments, and more than balanced by the in
creasing weakness of the rebels, with whom
gunpowder is becoming mere matter of faith.
No good general would be guilty of the folly
Of moving before he was ready, if he
were left to his own judgment and discre-
ton. Napoleon was able to strike quickly
simply because be took pains to pre-
pare slowly. The present Napoleon, who in
herits no little of his uncle's military genius,
prepared long time for his Italian campaign
was all ready for action in January, but did not
hurl his splendid army upon the enemy until
the next summer. McClellan's campaign has
been devised upon the same plan, and, If the
harassing fanatics have not hurried him, we
may expect a like brilliant result. But we
would prefer giving him even more time.
Other generals have occupied much longer
period in preparation, even with the advantages
of veterans instead of raw soldiers, and COM
plete instead of hastily constructed armaments.
Vulcan slowly forged the thunderbolts
which Jove flung so rapidly. The start has
been made, however, and we hope that it has
not been made too soon.
1t now remains for Congress to move as ra-
pidly and as effectively as our expeditions.
Heaven knows that Congress, at least, has spent
a long enough period in preparation, and It is
quite time that something were done. II is the
plain duty Of Congress to support and assist
our armies; and this can only be accomplished
by the prompt passage of well considered finan-
cial measures, and by action calculated to fos
ter cherish and develope the Union sentiment at
the South This Congress is bound by reso
luton passed at the special session, not to in
terfere with slavery. This is very well; but
something more is required. 1t is perfectly idle
to talk Of the friendly feeling of Congress to-
wards the Union sentiment in the rebel States
80 long as IL permits its fansticsl members
to perpetually discuss the inevitable nigger
and introduce bills, resolutions and debates
upon the subject Of the emancipation Of Slaves.