Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-22
The Contrast.

AZ public meeting in New Hampshire, Sen
ator Hale, OF that Stale. j. reported to have said:
81 may be ordered to Fort Warren for the ex-
preston am about to make; but do not hest
tate to declare that there is nothing that can par
alle the exhibition OF ability. vigur and resources
shown by the Confederate Government. except
the incapacity and imbecility of our own" Sen
atOr Hale has not vet been sent to Fort Warren
and will not be. That place is reserved for Dem
ocratS, who at some former day may have of
iended Cabinet officer and who are badgered
with false charges of dislCyalty now.
What is the secret OF the contrast between
rebel efficiency and governmental helplessness?
When the Confederate Government was organ
lied, the opposition was at once associated in the
Administration. Stephens, who ran with Doug
las. was made Vice President. A Cabinet of all
parties was constructed When Cabinet officers
were proved inefficient. they were dismissed.
Laegard Generals were cashiered, de>erters shot,
peculators punished. The South organized
on war basis.
President Lincoln, on the other hand made up
his Cabinet out OF the dead wood OF the Chicago
Convention. Seward. Chase. Cameron. Bates,
were all his rivals aud enemies of each OtheF-all
disappointed and rejected menl These worn out
politicians had their followers to provide for, and
they fell them upon the plumber of the treasury,
upon the spois OF patronage. In the crisis OF the
first battle of Bull Run, the President was en-
gagged la settling paltry claims OF partisans to
post Offices; and fourteen months later, when
Washington was in hourly danger of capture was
busy making up partisan lists of Tax Collectors
and Accommodating them upon occasion
from the exposed and condemned shoddy con-
tractors.
One army, at a eoniunclure when the fortunes
Of the whole contest wer del endent upon IT, has
been sacrificed to political jealousies. Another
General, whose name has always been associated
with defeat. has been kept in command by the
nepoti-m OF Cabinet Ministers All the while
the energies Of the Government have been di-
rected against the press or the free discussion of
citizens, or to secondng the private revenges and
political hates of men who have secretly insli-
gated acquisitions against their negbors.
Never OF so great an occOsion had an AL
ministratOn confined itself to such patry Cd
jects!
But did not Mr. Lincoln preface his inaugural
oath by the declaration that he considered the
decision OF the Supreme Court, in regard to the
subject Ot slavery, as not binding upon him;
while he felt bound to obey the Instructions Of
the Chicago PLATFORM stream never rises
higher than MS fountain, nor an administration
than its head
All this while the people have placed in the
hands Of the President at Washington unlimited
resources Of men and money, arms, ships, aud
public credit.
II is customary 10 say, IN excuse Tor the pre-
sent state of affairs. that the Confederacy has
exhibited unexpected resources. True; but has
not the North shown power aud weith of
means equally surprising? We have raised ar
mics such rs Europe never equaled. nnyies which
have never been surpassed IN extent. or in the
Use OF modern Improvements OF warfare. We
have spent money at a rate that startes the most
extravagant sehemers OF the Old World There
is not an invention OF war-pated ship. m m
moth gun, marine ram. aerial telegraph balloon
of reconnaissance, diving bell, or portoon-
/ which We have not had No army ever marched,
no navy ever sailed with such pay, or provision
/ or armament. as ours.
We stood ~ immeAsurably above our adverse
rie,, in resources. on the last days battle at Bull
/ Run. as year ago We are now as Ear above
/ them at any time-if we hnd men in char c
/ Of public affairs capable Of handling these re
sources. There aud there alone, the contrast
/ lies between ourselves and our adyersares es-N
/ Y Argus.