The New York herald., 1862-07-04


Richmond-Ths Retreat - General No.
Clellan-The Demands Of the Crisis.
We. the people Of our loyal States, had
hoped that the great day Of our national
independence this time would embrace in its
celebration the occupation Of Richmond by
the army Of Gen. Mcclellan. In this We are
disappointed; but still We are not without
good cause for general rejoicing. The gal
liant Army Of the Potomac, which we had feared
was in danger of destruction, Is not only safe,
but victorious, where crowning disaster
might have been expected. Long live the
Union:
Yesterday morning tho imperfect reports re-
ceived of the sanguinary battles, incidents, &C
cidents and casualties attending Gen. McClel-
lan's change Of front in the face Of the over
whelming forces Of the enemy, from the line
of the Chickahominy to the James river,
created IN impression exceedingly diseourag-
ing and gloomy Never has this metropolis
exhibited oountsnance of deeper dependency
But between three and four o'clock the
little despatch from General Mcclellan. an
nouncing another severe battle on Tuesday,
and that We had "bsaten tho enemy badly, our
men fighting oven better than before;'' that "all
the men are in good spirits and that "the rein
forcements from Washington have arrived
was followed by Q spontaneous outburst OF joy
throughout the city, ss intense a the gloom Of
the morning. By remarkable coincidence,
too, the sky, overcast in the morning, became
clear, and brightly the sun shone out, though
still surrounded by clouds.
We congratulate the country and the govern
ment upon the admirable bravery Of our army
and upon the skill and never-failing selfposses-
sion of General Mcclellan in the management
of its retreat through six days of continuous
fighting against superior numbers, and upon the
final repulse Of tho enemy. Under oil the cir
eumstances, it appears wonderful tha. our army
was not utterly destroyed. Butt what causes
are we to attribute this unexpected and nm
fortunate retreat. Where lies the responsibility
We maintain that ii is Justly chargeable
to the malign influences Of our present radi-
cal Congress. The policy and the views Of
the President in reference to the management
Of this war have been conservative and patriotic.
-S xS q & Srs-vs>~ 81
Nor has he assumed to be wiser upon military
matters than our tried and trusty soldiers
whose lives have been spent ii the service.
But Mr.. Secretary Stanton, civilian, in Sh,e--
ing the War Department, was persuaded BY
our radical disorganizers in Congress to over
turn all the well considered plans OF General
Scott and General Mcclellan, and to assume
he control Of the Virginia campaign upon a
lew piSn, embracing four or FIVE military de- |
ana commanders, whore there should |
ave been only one depaStmsnt, one command
n and one army. We are aware that the |
ecretsry Of War has sought the counsel Of ex-
erienced soldiers; but II appears that,
speciaily in the case Of General Hitchcock, he
as only heard their suggestions to disregard |
hem and to pursue his own ooadusions
To bring the administration and tho army |
ito successful unity upon the sound policy
President Lincoln. We want araormation in 4
ongrsss and IN overhauling Of the Cabinet
he President, dependenA upon Congress for
e ways and means, IL obliged to submit to
. demands Of Congrss, to = great extent, as
the manner Of Conducting the war We
ant, therefore, vuch manifestations of the |
lblic sentimen' Of the country a. will tell |
pom TINS Cong .ress, or supsrssde It BY q new
40 more % nsistent with the Union policy Of |
% PreslS sat and OF the groat popular majority
our loyal States. This duty should be en-
~ upon at once; and, while actively co0r..
ting with the governwee. 10 strsngtl lsn our
armies, and particularly ths army Of Genera,
Mcclellan, ou! loyal conservative r,snion nss
'f 81! ss.1rities should couh,.ns to retain the
faith and the support Of our border slave
States still in the Union against the mischiev-
ous designs Of our abolition radicals and de-
structivss.
We are gratlaed 10 hear that General McClsl.
lan's army has been already reinforced, and
that additional rslnforcements are on their way.
We are glad TO learn that this does not involve,
70 any extent, draft upon the forces charged
with the immediate defence Of Washington.
Within twenty days the army Of General McClel-
Ian M av hs gtrar,x.ho o,od 4 : ae.. an -