Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-24
ADMINISTRATIVE Efficiency.

Il IS the duty of Governments as well as OF indvid-
uas to learn wisdom from expe ience-to avoid to-day
a repe.i ion Of the errors Of yesterday. cursory
glance at the transactions of the last two yeas will
h, that our authorities have not acted upon this prin
e;ne They receive no impression from the teachings
oF the mast. It's lessons are passed UNDECIDED by. 1t
was not until the fall of Fort Donelson that the Pres-
dent deemed it necessary to raise army of any mag
nude to meet the gathering hOrdes Of Yankee Vandas
waO we're pressing US on all sides, Notwithstanding the
fact that their journals teemed day by day, with the
accounts Of Thousands nay, hundreds of thousands,
who were being marshaled for the onslaught upon our
limited number Of troops, and the occupation OF the
f.irest portion Of our country.
Whilst the rich valley Of the Rappahannock-the fer
tile plains of the country lying between that river and
the York. between the York and the James, and the
Nortberp Neck literally groaued with the burthen OF
wheat corn, oats ard fodder bacon, cattle mutton,
horses and mules inviting bland QuArermaster Gen.
eral and his crusy cOadutor, the Commissary Gen
er,l TO come ami secure the rich harvest OF sup
niles thus cffsred for our army-then in the
vicinity-uhilst not even q hostile foot print was
IN he seen 10 make them aaid-yet they allowed the
e,emv TO come dsvssae and carry of these invaluable
and needful articles, aid lave our noble army to be
served with half and quarter ratOns at season
of the year when it most DID wholesome and Aoun-
dant food.
Whilst the country around and tributary to Vicksourg
and Port Hudson profussy abOundng in every need
full supply for man and horse, with every facility Tor
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS undisturb,d by the enemy, that
90 try was allowed to be overrur ravaged, al devas
tated and those two important ard impregnabe strong
holds compelled to surrender is believed, for want oil
food which, in few short weeks could have been pro-
Wis Oned T the siege of a whole year.
For the last two months, whilst army was beirg
organzed at Jackson uudr Johnston there we're ample
tine, means Al men 10 have constructed bridge over
Pearl river and transported to place OF safety the
70 ling stock of the ereut Railroads which concentrate
,bere-yet the enemy was allowed to get possession Of
| forty odd Locomotives, and a vast number OF Cars
which were invaluable to US, and which We have nc
possible means of replacing Ard all this for the Wan
| of administrative foresigb, and efficiency.
Hence it may be truly affirmed that those who con
duet our public affairs cannot will not heed the les
ma Of the past or 'learn wisdom from experience
Bl; vet We cannot forbesr to suggest now, since
large masses Of the enemy relieved from the siege
Yicksburg ard Port Hud'On, thus left Tree to move
whittier they please perhaps concentrate around and
Law siege to this city, that the Government gather in it
resources lay up abundant supplies willis it is yet time
and the mesrs ard opportunity ample, and thus avoid
for the Capital of the Confederacy the doom of Vcks
burg and Port Hudson. which inevitably awaits it, il
We improve not the golden opportunity the neglect
which tas alresd ,cost us those two s.ronghOlds.