New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-06


when there wGs no peace. To prevent strife he had
any number of cOntrvances the best of which was Of
as much practical value as Mrs. Partingtons
celebrated mop during an Atlantic storm. Coming
from the middle ground of Kentucky, he saw good in
North and South; believed that there was nothing
but a misunderstanding, and did not know that a
great principle was striving TO live, and that the con-
test was already beyond the control OF mere men.
He had seen the abOminGti0n OF compromise over
and over again. and proposed that all should NEE,
aud talk-that principle 10 surrendered to Slavery,
with an Indian dance and pipe-smoking. William
II. Seward was the leader Of the Republican party.
He had led il to victory, and, with bis superb
intellect discerned in the beginning the true meaning
Of the contest The leader of triumphant party, his
speeches dwelt upon by the country with hungry
craving anxiety. During that Winter, however, the
mantle of leadership fell from bis shoulders He was
scarcely fitted for that stormy time. student and
philosopher, bis tendencies theOretc, not prac-
teal The faith that recognized "higher law, I"
and the wisdom that saw an "irrepressible con-
i 1ict," seemed only TO fail when Providence
brought him to the actual cOnhict-war, civil
war and instruction. When he spoke Of sixty days
trouble anc permanent peace, be probably expressed
hope that all good men shared, and not belief
which every statesman knew to be impossible. Mr..
Stewards influence during this period was weakened by
his memorable speech proposing convention and
other compromises The feeling of the loyal North
was beginning to assume that expressed by the rude
rhetoric OF Western Senator, who declared that the
Union would not be worth saving without little
bloodletting.
At the head of the South, was Jefferson Davis,
Senator from Mississippi. For time, the question of
leadership lay between Jefferson Davis and Robert
Toombs, Senator from Georgia. 1t is well understood
that nothing but the doubtful character of Mr. ToOmbs
prevented bis election at Montgomery President Of
the Confederacy There is much in the great, shaggy
Toombs that admire. stern, violent man, full OF
passion, adding great vices to great virtues he seems
10 have been marked for revolution. To US, he APP
q IIo bo1
love of liberty, audacity, hatred Of standing armies.
e. it was just impossible for the EthiOp to change
his skim the leopard his spots as for regular army
10 be the friend Of berty and as the leader OF the
South he would probably have made the war more
dreadful and less prOtrGcted. Davis was good man
in the church-wardens and orderly Of
the term. His life was said to be pure. His attend
ance upon divine service regular. The wool OF
West Point marked tho web of his life. His career
bore an oppressive sense OF reguantyof reveile and
taps and morning prayershe discipline of the marti-
net His self esteem was the controlling element inhs
character. To this must be added will Of iron, and
body that suffering from constant disease gave his
temperament t.nge of bitterness. Traits like these
would prevent the most gifted OF men from becoming
great in civil war; pre- udice in the mind Of Davis
was conviction; and in the creation OF policy, the
management Of armies the selection Friends he was
earnest, inexorable bey0ndreason During this Win
ter be reluctant follower OfsecesSion never going
so far but that there chance of returning, and
the Montgomery Convention made him its leader.
His popular speeches during these weeks, were fine
specimens of what may be called gasconade, and
merely echoed the angry feeling Of the Southern
people. Toombs wa; the leader for action. He over
whemed Stephens in Georgia, achieved the seizure of
Fort Pulaski and Fort Jackson, the beginning OF the
aggressive policy on the part OF the South, and in
every step was restless, determined, energetic We
see in bis conduct constant desire Tor bloOdshed,
keen comprehension Of what TIE nature Of the
ofY- IN va ka he ~
il. Mr.. Slidcll and Mr.. Mason were as anxious for
war as they were 20 escape from the country when II
began. Mr. Yancey, 10 whom Secession was mania,
and whose oretory was O perfect type Of the fiery
defamation Of the South, was going hher and thlther
like Peter the Hermit, preaching revolt Daniel OF
Richmond, the great journalist Of the SOuth-a man
Of rare genius-was writing from day to day burning
appeals in the old English style Of orthography,
10 the people of the South. Poor Daniel! None did
30 much 10 create tho war, and felt defeat
swiftly The guns OF Lees surrender were the dirge
over bis new-made grave. Benjamin. fresh from
making Union speeches in California, gently sided
into tho disunon cabal in Washington; while Pryor,
chief among the younger of the chNary, proud, elo
gueut dgr ng was clanorng for the hour OF action
the hour when Shrewsbury clock would strike the
knell OF the Union.
The progress Of the war was marked by strange
hogancy and trep!dationa failure to grasp events,
painful and tedious experiences. Our rulers walked
as blind men who groped and, when Sumter opened
their eyes they did not the Rebels IN their true
light but as trees walking toward them. SO thorough
Is bad the spirit Of Slavery entered into all the gates
aud alleys Of our political body that the poison
everywhere. West Point, rich in the yalor OF many
illustrous sons, threw all Its tendencies against the
Union Success had made Slavery respectable, and
the few officers who failed to acknowledge its claim
were regarded vulgar fanatics not TO be welcomed
10 tent and ward.r0Om. Tho most accomplished OH
GERS of the service had gone with their States" Joe
Johnston, Beauregard Hardee, and hundred Others
who were supposed to represent the flower and fash
ion Of the army, abandoned their flag TO follow the
banner of Mr. Davis. The nation insisted that blow
should follow blow; but il was given with a nerve
less hesitating half-beevng force, by men who had
NO he9~t fox the fight. Our army was army of
dress parades and well-appointcd bands Of music,
glitter, show pomp and ianiaronade, with gaily
decked commanders at the head Bull Run was
beSsng-bloOdy and tame and disgraceful as il was
for the mob that sadly plodded through the damp and
heavy roads Of Virginia, amid cloud and rain-storm,
drifting into the camps around Arlington, thus learned
a stern and wholesome lesson From the day of Bull
Run, the war passed into the hands of the private
soldier The battle is decisive Austerlitz shouted
The Load Times. II would have been Austerlitz
indeed, had the men who caused Bull Run been per.
mitted always to manage our military destinies.
Our first commander was George b. Mcclellan
young man who had graduated with distinction at
West Point, and shown valOr in the Mexican
War. Ho was known as q steady, careful quiet man,
student Of war, and fond Of his profession. He was
not thirty but he had seen service in the Crmea,
and studied the military systems Of Europe care.
fully that he wrote a book about them. He was
a good cavalry officer and had given our cavalry
men much comfort by invcnting an ingenious saddle.
Like all ambitious young men, without fortune. he
had abandoned the army, and was in the railroad
business when the war called him to command. Tie
story of his command is too fresh in the public mind
and too much the subject Of dispute for to pass
definite opinion. He was under the influence of
Slavery One of his first orders promised, /" with an
iron hand" to crush any attempt at Instruction"
upon the part of the slaves. When he stood helpless
s,d Of Iarrigonis I ba