The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-01-16

scale az even greater magnitude than during the last
three years But those INCLUDE ,he ~ars%
Mississippi Department. Notwithstanding General T.
X Smiths apparent oonvousness Of the fact con
might 10 be sure defend ourselves ultimately esab
ish the Independence Of the country without calling for
but effort would be tremendous and exhausng Nor
n any need TO subject 3rseves the calamitous
when know that we have at hand force sudicient
TO relieve US Of any such necessity II is simply absurd
m US to meet the enemy with only portion Of our
forces, when they have adopted the plan OF concen
tration. Concentration can be only effectively met
by counterconcentration. To suffer portion Of our
army 10 remain idle spectators OF struggle In which
the other portion is wagng q death contest against
whelming odds Is suicide and nothing else. The
transient immunity from chances and pcris of
thus gained by portion Of the country would be dearly
purchased by the final destruction OF the whole These
propositions are SO clear that no will seriously
pute them. Even TO discuss them seems superuous
as to be an insult TO the common intelligence Never
thee the events Of the past year are enough to con-
vince US that truths plain and elementary as
these may be overlooked dsregarded by precisely
those persons who ought to bear them most constantly
In mind In this make allusion to the authorities
at Richmond We have reason TO believe that efforts
we're made, at the proper moment, to secure the CO.
many months has been Willing away the precious and
critical moments OF the In seemingly apathetic in
difference the other bank of the Mississippi Still less
do we lind fault with the here for the failure
to Improve the brilliant opportunities disclosed by the
glorious but comparatively barren victories Of General
Taylor in Louisiana
We do not think II q crime or q bfunder that
placed in command Of the Trans Mississippi Depart
ment who, at the time of his appointment certainly en-
joyed fair Of public confidence and who was
then supposed to possess, In an eminent degree,
the very qualities In which he has since displayed
conspicuous deficiency. When we stated,
and when reiterate, that the disasters
which have overaken OF late, and which,
deniaby have spread much OF gloom over our people,
the direct consequences OF the necency of General
H. X. Smith, say what every conyersant with the
history Of the beyond the Mississippi knows to be
true. IL at time in General Smiths power
without moving to this side Of the river except
for the purpose of recapturng New Orleans TO strike
blow which would not only have secured the permanent
safety OF his department but which would have SO ef
fectuay crippled the enemy on this side that General
Early would have captured Washington, and Sher-
man been driven back upon his defences without
reaching Atlanta. The chance, SO brilliant and so
plain, thrown away. An officer who had Just gained
series of magnificent victories and held whole federal
army feet grasp from which, apparently, there
escape stripped of his most valuable troops
in the flush of anticipated triumph and at the very
moment OF the fruion OF his hopes, and was forced
To look quietly at the vexaious flight OF an enemy
to whom fight. bat for this, would have been impos
sble II cannot be doubted that this marvellous inter
vcntion on behalf Of Banks defeated and desparng
army astonishing TO the II was surprs
ing to II has been whispered that motives unbecom-
ing Confederate officer and gentlemen prompted Gene
raj Smiths extraordinary But cannot believe
that he Influenced by jealousy of rival whose deeds
envy IT, however the salvation of his character
patriot involves the destruction OF his capacity as an
officer il has become clear enough that he s pre- emf
neny unfit for the station which he holds, and that the
perhaps OF our cause demands that he give place
to some other more energetic and more sagacous man.