The New York herald., 1864-12-09

Llncoln's rcnissness leads to the conclusion
tbatwhat he has been from the beginning
going, good-natursd, taking II quietly, and
trusting to luck-hs will be to the end OF the
chapter. His mind does not appear to belong
to that class which, charged with tho weighty
responsibilities Of revolutionary crisis,
steadily expand with the proportions Of pass
ing and coming events.
1t Is not ysttoo late, however, for Mr.. Lin
coin to supply the deficiencies Of the message
on the war question. General Grant, with the
armies ct present in the field under his com
mand, may perhaps be able to bring tho rebels
to capitulation; but We shall not be dealing
fairly with him, tho army or the country in
resting upon this lazy presumption. We have
had too much OF this waiting to see what an ac-
tive army ia the field would accomplish before
proceeding to reinforce it. Thus we have failed
to reap the inviting fruits which otherwise
might have been gathered, not only from our
past victories. but from our disasters Let us
have no more of this; but let Congress and the
administration this time "make assurance
doubiy sure" by strengthening our armies in
the field, SO that rsinforcenents at all points
may be forthcoming in the nick Of time
The three great rules of eloquence as laid
down by Demosthenes are "action, action, ac-
tion;" and these are the instructions OF the
people to Mr.. Lincoln and all in authority in
reference to the suppression OF the rebellion.
Everything else, the negro and all, should be
made subordinate to this, the main question.
The Nationa al Fina acss-Mr. Fsssenden's
Report.
On Wednesday we published in full the re-
port of the Secretary of the Treasury. This
document is most important one, since it
gives in ertenso view Of the present financial
condition of the country; shows the people
the real state of the national purse, and as the
national purse is the influence that must
alter all control and sustain the national life,
Mr.. Fessenden's budget is not second iu conse-
people. If the people have not generally read
this document they ought to do so. 1t Is duty
that every man owes to the country to watch
it's condition and the condition Of the govern
ment, in order that when the voice Of the
people is called for in favor Of this or that
measure it may be given with an intelligence
enlightened by knowledge Of al4 tho import
ant facts accessible.
It is an accepted axiom in commerce that
two tend to balance. Generally this is not
less true in the more elevated region of ma
tional lifo. Times filed with great events pro
ducs great men. "Village Hampdens" are in
every country schoolhouse, and "nuts, inglo-
rious Millions" steal watermelons. every snnl-
mer. GLANDS that the rod of empire might
have swayed" have been blistered with birch
in every year Of the world since the head Of
Priscian was in danger Men Of the greatest
ability are always ready whenever the occasion
comes to call them out and develop their
latent faculties. This is sustained by every
great epoch In the worlds history. Late in
the eighteenth century the disease and trouble
OF France seemed to be pigmy men, and
presto, the French Revolution developed
ITS brood Of giants. It has been the
same In England and In our own country.
The necessities Of governments produce men
of high administrative powers, the necessities
Of war great generals, and the necessities OF
finance great fnancers.
especially happy in the production Of great
soldiers and sailors-bsppier perhaps than ever
people were before. We can point to Grant,
Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, Farragut, Porter,
Footc, Dupont, and fcarlessly challenge any
period in history to equal that array. But in
some other directions We are less happy. We
believe that our great hnancier is still in OBJ
scurity-las not yet been seen upon the sur
face. Mr. Fesseudcns message is fair enough
as financial statement. 1t shows us what we
owe, what our expenses are, and what our in
come is. This is arithmetic, and We suppose it
is correct. He also makes some good recon-
mendations-as that for an application Of the
income tax to all incomes, and for other re-
visions of the internal revenue. His views on
the national neutrality-suspicious. and mineral
lends-will meet with general Approval; and 40.
we suppose, will his views ea the currency.
But tho real difficulty is that the country does
not jus. now want Mr. Eessendoa's views on
aDy Of these questions. 1t does not want any
ones views. 1t wants a sound financial admin
.istrstion-a great inancier, to take hold or
these matters practically, and to develop the
national wealth so that this rich country shall
not look like poor one and feel like poor
one when it has to pay debts that are not rela-
lively great. Mr.. Fessenden hopes "that Con-
gress will be able to devise some means by
which" oil this can be done; and that is to hope
that ConGtess will do what the country expects
him to do.
We take 1t that the facts Of our financial
position are tolerably clear. We are the richest
people in material resources Chat there is in
the world, and We are suddenly called upon 10
bear the burden Of q national debt. Now,