The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-04-06


upward. The business in pork far at about form
rates. Bacon and lard we're depressed Beef was mac
tive. There was less doing in whiskey. Tallow and
groceries without any marked variation In prices Tho
transactions in other articles were limited. The freight
market As tame, though rates we're maintained
The Report ON the Conduct or the War.
We publish to-day a condensation of the re-
port of the Congressional Committee on the
Conduct of the War, reviewing our military
operations for the last two years.
In regard to the pennsular campaign the in
ferences which the committee leave to be drawn,
but do not draw themselves, are unfavorable to
General Mcclellan; but the radicals have had
most difficult job to make up this case.
Extreme caution seems to be the gravamen
Of his offence in the eyes of these non-mili-
tary critics. But it ought to be remem-
bered that on the result Of the battles
which Mcclellan did fight depended the safety
of the republic. If the Army Of the Potomac
had been crushed in any great battle the rebels
would have marched into Washington, and the
war would have virtually ended in our being
compelled to acknowledge the independence OF
the Southern confederacy; or, if the day at
South Mountain or at Antietam had been un-
favorable to our arms, the rebel army would
have overrun Maryland and annexed it to their
confederacy. And therefore Mcclellan, as q
prudent and patriotic man, ran no unnecessary
risks; and for those high qualities of prudence
and patriotism he is held up to condemnation.
What mattered it, on the other hand, whether
we won or lost q battle in the Southwest? We
could renew the fight again, even though we
were worsted as we have done at Somerset,
Corinth, Vicksburg, Pea Ridge and dozen
other places in that section of the country.
But defeat Of the Army Of the Potomac was
the knell of the republic.
Mcclellan, therefore, deserves credit for that
extreme cautiousness alleged against him, and
he can easily console and strengthen himself
by the reflection that tho greatest military
men of all ages have had to bear similar at
tacks for an exhibition of the same qualities.
Wellington had his revilers in the British Par
lament while he was conducting his mastery
Peninsular campaign, and our own Scott was
more worried by the "flre in his rear" than by
the Mexicans in his front.
the conclusions Of the committee in reference
particularly to the necessity of holding the
Mississippi river and concentrating most pow
erful army in that neighborhood. Instead of
the miserable driblets Of armies sent to perform
that great work, we ought to have from three to
four hundred thousand men-one half moving up
and the other down that river-with iron-clad
gunboats to aid in the work, clearing it of all
distractions, and holding at least the western
region at all hazards and to the last extremity.
May we, even at the eleventh hour, hope for
any enlightened and determined policy in the
conduct of the war?
ONE OF LORD Lyons "DEMocRArIc LEAD
ERs"-Every one has been anxious to know
who were the democratic leaders to whom
Lord Lyons refers in his letter to Earl
Russell, and who made such extraordinary
overturss to him in this city. Of course we
share in that very natural curiosity, and we
have been going over the names of all that we
could think of who might possibly come under
that denomination, in the hope that we might
thus be enabled to ascertain who the identical
individuals were that had put themselves in
this strange communication with the British
Minister. Two Of the gentlemen named by us
in this connection have responded by letter.
The first, Mr.. Fernando Wood, denies positively,
point blank, that he has had any interview with
Lord Lyons since the time Of the Prince of
Wales reception. So, of course, his innocence
in the matter is established. The second, Mr.
| pol uhoc Lott hal,
terday, denies that he has any interest in the
| World newspaper-on which fact we congratu-
late him; disclaims the title of democratic
leader-on which point we admire his good
taste; declares bis bitter and uncompromising
hostility to secession, and his loyalty to the
Union-to which declaration we give full faith;
but he does not begin to deny that he is one Of
those very gentlemen whom Lord Lyons spoke
of as democratic leaders, and which was the only
| point that anybody had any curiosity to know
about. And as Mr.. Belmont, when he sat
down to write his letter, had that very SUBJ
ject most prominently before him, and declined
| to say word about il, we must infer that,
while he pleaded not guilty to some of the spe-
cfcations, he pleads guilty to the main charge.
Our UNEMPLOYED GENERArs-Among our un.
employed generals at this time are General
Mcclellan and General Buell., superseded for
being too slow; General Butler and General
Fremont, set aside for being too fast; General
Sgel on an indefinite leave of absence, and
General Franklin, weeded out of the Army of
the Potomac for no special reason that we have
hoo ri Of Al thia rafa Conaral UallaoL,o m
tired list Of major generals will soon exceed
those in active service. Who shall undertake
to expound the military wisdom OF our present
General-in-C hieff
WHAT Is Mn. ADAMS ABOUT They are said
to be building whole feet of Alabamas and