The New York herald., 1864-12-05

rortreSs Monroe, ana tnat reDei Sninplastors 1t
Richmond are at premium. In such wonder
full Union war intelligence IS this the Balti-
more correspondent Of the World is the prin-
cipal dealer. An announcement Of bis retire
ment from the business would lead 70 pro-
test from George N. Sanders.
Attempted Piracy in the Paeidc-Neees.
sity for an Increase OF Our Squadron
There.
The news from the Pacific, received by
the steamer North Star, is Of the utmost
Importance, and demands the immediate
attention Of our government. Our Panama
correspondent furnishes us with the interesting
details OF a well organized plot on the part OF
agents of the s0-called Confederate government
to seize the Panama Railroad Company's
steamer Salvador, on her passage from Panama
to ports in Central America, and, once having
possession of her, to seizo the Guatemala, the
other and best ship of the same line, and will
the latter endeavor to capture one Of the Cali
fornia ships with treasure. Happily the whole
plan was frustrated, and the consprators cap
tured, by timely Information and by those
having knowledge Of the plans keeping it a
profound secret from every one except the
persons necessary to carry out the programme
arranged to secure the rascals. Had the con-
spiracy not been nipped in the bud we should
have had to chronicle another Chesapeake
and Roanoke affair, but attended with more
serious consequences; for the rebels would
have secured fast and economical Ship and
ono that in u fair race could distance any Of
our Pacific squadron. With such Z vessel
untold injury would have bsen inflicted upon
our commerce there, where it Is almost wholly
unprotected by reason Of the imbecii.y Of the
Navy Department, who cannot or will not see
the necessity for fast steamers III the Pacific
Ocean as we'll as In other parts of the world.
When it was expected that tho Alabama
possibly visit the Pacific, the Navy Depart
ment was Importance to increase the
squadron in those waters. It, did so
by despatching the iron-not iron.clad-
sdouble-ender" Wateree--a steamer that re-
quired six months to reach Panama; and on
her arrival there was found go foul as to render
her going on the dock a matter Of immediate
necessity to fit her for any service whatever
wherein motion was requisite. This is the
only reinforcement supplied on the very pres
sing requisition, and, if the truth were told sho
is rather an encumbrance to the Admiral than
an assistance, should the necessity arise for
fast and powerful vessel. Again: the Navy
Department finds it ell sufficient to keep in the
harbor of Panama an old. worn out sailing
sloop, instead of having there steamer Of the
proper kind to act instantly, and one capable
OF any required speed. The English govern
ment, without 1.-THE OF the necessity, always
maintains at that point'a fast screw corvette or
frigate, while we appear to be content with
hulk, whose proper position is with those Of her
class long laid up in "rotten row." More by
good luck than good management the Lancas-
ter happened to be in Panama whom her SER
vices were required. Otherwise the crushing
Of this piratical scheme nigh. have been at.
tended with more difficulty and less favorable
results.
With the knowledge Of this attempt before
Mr.. Welles and Mr.. Fox, will they turn their
eyes and direct their attention for little time
towards our commercial interests In the Pacific
Ocean, and try to discover how neces sary it is
that our squadron there should be placed in
stantly on proper footing! Lot them at once
send to the Mare Island Navy Yard the two
vessels that remain in commission, and there
let them remain, replacing them with two or
more fast steamers. Let them order at least
two vessels of the squadron to be at all times
in the South Pacific; but above all, let the ship
stationed in the harbor Of Panama be q vessel
that can be used at q moments warning TO
guard our interests both ashore and afoat.
These small matters once attende to, and our
merchants and mariners will feel degree
of security to which they have long been
strangers.
ONLY SHELL.-General Grant has not only
fought some Of our most splendid battles, but
be has said some most brilliant as we'll as sen.
sible things. He adopted tho phrase OF "un-
conditional surrender" and has kept It on his
victorious banners. He discovered at glance
their armies when he declared that to do so they
had robbed the cradle and the grave" And
recently, on his visit to the North, he expressed
the opinion that "the confederacy was but a
she'll" or the truth OF this last remark we
have further evidence from the recent opera.
tions Of General Sherman. All the interior OF
Rebellion appears to be empty. All the men
who could bear arms have been dragged of.
The militia, composed Of invalids and decrepit
old men, can make no resistance. All the
strength Of the confederacy Il In the she'll, the
yelk has persisted. At far point on the ex-
terror some troops are kept together and make
. stand; but there is but little left Of the
original egg out Of which treason hatchsd this
bloody war. It is cracked everywhere, and
will soon crumble In our hands.