New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-25
ruR CALL FOR TROOPS.

has been received by the people, the loyal
masses Of the North, with something more than
acquicscencc--with a jealous goodwill that is
born of enduring patriotism. and with renewed
activity in recruiting that promises a very large
number Of men before the draft begins. The
press-Copperhead journals excepted-refects
the sense Of the people in its cordial support of
the measure. Expected expressions of dis
appointment or surprise seldom appear. There
is thorough good sense, and an appreciation
Of the military necessity which put upon the
President the duty of making this last appeal to
the Nation. We note here and there manifesto
tons of Impotence. occasionally ofdespondency,
but the weight Of public sentiment is unmis-
takaby and very largely on the side of the
Government.
If any misapprehension exists, it seems to be
as to the object Of calling for so large a number
of men, which is understood to DO for the pur-
pose of increasing the present strength of the
armies. But the present call will not when
fully met be likely to put much larger force
in he field than We now have. If the new army
could have been drafted last Winter, drilled,
equipped, and held as reserve for the exigencies
of this campaign, that would have been one
thing, and no doubt very desirable one. 1t
would probably have enabled Gen. Grant to
take Richmond before now. We have always
been in favor Of great cfforts-a short war aud
a vigorous one: nor are we able to perceive why
it would not have been as good economy, and
just as feasible, to have had the men then as
now. But We did not, and We can sec by the
Light Of intervening experience that if it is in
tended to maintain the army at its present force
during tho Fall and the Winter this draft is
come none TO soon.
II should be understood that between draft
ing 500, 900 men under our present system, and
putting that number into the ranks in front of
the enemy, there is wide difference. Part of
this number will never be obtained because Of
SURPRISES existing on previous quotas. Part OF
it will go to supply the place of troops whose
terms arc expiring. very large part will be
consumed on the road before it gets within mus
ket shot of the front. Gen. Meade is reported
to have said just before his army crossed the
Rapidan in May, that not over 10000 recruits
had reached him since the first of January.
Yet the half million draft in February, exclud-
ing the allowances on previous calls. must have
brought ten times that number into the ranks,
and probably many moro than Gen. Meade'S
estimate, into his army. We quote the remark
~ IN Iovo a hasi of truth-nulv A
show how far short of the nominal force is the
total of men that actually reaches the scene Of
conflict, and makes itself felt directly against
the enemy.
The present call therefore, is 20 far from be-
ing a confession OF weakness or Of failure in the
pending campaign that it is but an ordinary, in
evitabe step to meet military exigency. 1t is
recognition of the fact that great armies
cannot be kept in the field without great and
frequent drafts to support them. And whereas
the resources of the North are yet so ample a.
to meet this call with scarcely more strain upon
its industry than the last, and at any rate, with
the assurance of supplying every man required /
the resources OF the South are so exhausted 4
that no rgor of conscription could by any posi-
bility levy tonth of 500, 900 from among its I
vanishing population. 1t is known, admitted,
asserted, even among the southern papers, that
their army as it stands-or as tie remnant of il
stands-to-day, is the last they can put into the |
field. What but evidence Of their weakness
and our strength. and therefore what but en-
enlargement and inspiration, is TO be drawn from
a demand which we know our resources are yet
abundant to meet' Suppose it is quoted abroad
as a revelation of insufficient strength. or de-
we not yet taught that the settlement
Of this question lies with u.s. and not with Eu-
rope7 How many times since this campaign
opened has the Anglo-Rebel press in London
proclaimed the total defeat of Grant The
Times affirmed once in terms, and more
than once in substance, that General
Grant might think himself fortunate if
ne got back across the Potomac with a REM
nant of his army. He has since taken re-
roundabout way Of crossing the Pc
.omac by putting his whole army south of the
James, and keeping il there with an unrelent-
ng grasp on Richmond. the tenacity Of which
$ attested by such desperate ventures for relief
Is the recent raid into Maryland. No-;he
course of this war and fortunes of this Re- Z
public turn not upon the lying declarations OF a
hostile press or the angry dislike of rival nations
abroad. They rest with us only to adjust, and i
t Is more foolish tLan folly to discuss measure
If national necessity or proprlcty with reference
o what England or France may choose To say
If it or Of us. And, if il were Of consequence !