The New York herald., 1862-02-24

/
been forced in defence of our rights and consti-
tuition. With the achievements of the heroes Of
forts Donelson and Henry and the exploits of
the Burnside and other expeditions fresh before
us, and the prospect of new victories, which
would speedily crush every vestige of this un-
holy rebellion, we were we'll justified in con-
graduating each other on the success which has
attended grand and righteous cause.
| The general observance of the anniversary of
the birth Of the Father of his Country was the
strongest testimony of loyalty that the people
Of the United States could have given, and in it
they shed equal lustre upon themselves, both as
nation and as individuals. Such sublime exam
| pie of national devotion cannot be without its
| good effect abroad as well as at home, and the
inhabitants Of other countries will exclaim,
| "How, with such people, could nation
fails" Patriotism relinquished gain, and offer
ed up mighty tribute which villa not soon be
forgotten. That we are still great nation,
strong and indivisible, with the power to ac-
complish all Chat we have taken in hand, the
display Of the twenty-second of February will
show to the civilized world, and It i an Incl
dent in our history upon which we may look
back with pride when the flag of the Union is
again floating over Fort Sumter. and secession
is remembered only in history.
The News from Eur0pe-New Era tn
Wharf.-The Lessons to the World.
There is nothing new or important, in regard
to this country, in the adyices received by the
Niagara at Halifax. All of the correspondence
txvhi oh boa hate fho dSNIO-
matte agents, since the rebellion broke out has
been laid before Parliament; but there are no
points not previously known to our readers.
Our relations with Europe, however, will here
after wear different aspect, and our position
be more decided one in the estimation of
statesmen on the other side of the Atlantic
New leaves, by recent events here. are being
turned over in the history Of the world, and
the United States will occupy in future the
place she appears almost unwittingly to have
all along occupied among nations, so necessary
for the maintenance of the general political
equilibrium.
The recent operations Of our army and navy
against the insurrection have opened new era
in the history of war and of this country. The
mechanical foroes-the result of modern inven-
ton brought to bear in the inland waters Of the
South are eminently suggestive. Iron-clad gun
boats are due to the inventive genius of the
French; but the Americans are the Arst to turn
them to practical account. Until the brilliant
victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson the
importance of this kind of war vessel was not
determined. In Europe it was still considered
an experiment, and here members Of Congress
doubtedits value But the brilliant achievements
in the Tennessee and tho Cumberland rivers
removed all doubt and rendered the immense
superiority of the mailed vessels fixed fact
Heretofore the Confsderates depended on their
railroads for effectlng rapid movements and
combinations, and no doubt this mode of march
gave them tremendous advantage. But the
iron clad gunboats have moro than neutralized
it. The entire Southern country is not only in
tersscted by one immense river-the Father of
Waters--bat divided ct right angles to this by
numerous other rivers; such as the Missouri, the
Arkapses, the Red river, the Tennessee, the
Cumberland. the York, the James, the Roanoke,
the Ashley, the Cooper, the Chowan, the Neuse,
the Tar, the Fear, tho Santee, the Savannah
the Alabama and the Rio Grande. II iron-clad
gunboats were unknown these rivers could be
rendered impregnsble. But against such ves-
sells they cannot be successfully defended. By
means of these boats the communication by the
railroads which cross them can be cut, by the
destruction of the bridges, at the same time
that the boats themselves can move as fast as
heavily laden railroad train, and troops, mu-
nitions of war and provisions can be concen-
trated with great rapidity. II a Southern army
moves it must leave its Heavy batteries behind.
In their iron-clad ginboats the Northern troops
carry their batteries with them; nor can the
highway of water be DESTROYED like tho rail-
roads,
Here, then, is a lesson for France and all
Europe. Had the elder Napoleon been pos
sessed Of this instrumentality he would have
invaded England and subjugsted her to his
yoke, and he would then have conquered all
Europe and held it in subjection till the day
of his death. The Mediterranean, the Black
Sea and the Baltic would have become French
lakes. Not only the Rhine, but the Danube,
the Don, and all the navigable rivers of Europe,
would have owned his sway. The'grcat obsta-
Gle to his final success was England, whose
iusulsr position and naval superiority protect
cd her. But iron-clad steamboats, would have
neutralized the latter and rendered the former
Of no avail. What Napoleon failed to do
because he did not possess the appliances Of
modern times, '.the nephew Of his uncle" will
probably accomplish. BY the rapid construc-
ton of iron-clad gunboats he can invade and
cripple England; and that done, he can have
little difficulty in overrunning all Europe.
French troops are superior to any others ON the
Continent, not only from their intelligence, but
their inventive and mechanical genius. The
extensive use made Of the telegraph in this war
is another lesson to Napoleon. General
Mcclellan owes to the telegraph those rapid