Year: 1862

WHERY yHE REAL FORWARD MOVEMENT SHoULc
BE MADE.-1,he cry still continues 10 be lifted
up of Onward, onward" by all the dissatis-
fed or disappointed politicians, the traitorous
abolition journals and the corrupt spoils hunters
in and out Of Congress. 1t is urged on all
sides by unthinking men that the army should
be pushed forward and the issue of the war
precipitated, and there is disposition to put
all the blame of merton upon the commanding
general. This is all wrong, and the just and
right thinking portion of the public condemn it.
If an onward movement is to be made-as it
will be soon enough-due provision must be
adopted to carry it out successfully. This can
only be done by Congress, and Congress must
accept the responsibility of its failure.


Great armies cannot be moved without the
sinews of war. There is an army of seven
hundred thousand men now in the field while
appropriations have been made for only five
hundred thousand. Men without money to
maintain them are useless. The treasury is
approaching depletion, and there is floating
debt Of a hundred millions of dollars to be pro-
vided for. Yet in the face Of these difficulties,
what is Congress doing to aid the suppression
of the rebellion OF to assist the government to
operate with its vast army? Literally nothing.
While members are urging an onward move
ment and inveighing against what they term
procrastination in the conduct of the war, they
are not adopting the most essential measures to
insure its progress. The army is ready; the
generals are skilful, and prepared to lead
their troops to action; the plans of the Com
mander-in-Chief are matured; but the whole
machinery stands still for want of that lubri-
eating oil-money-which Congress alone can
supply.


If forward movement, then, be demanded,
let the impetuous advocates of that measure
insist that it shall commence in Congress. 1t
is there that the real forward movement
must be made. Congress should apply itself
to provide for filling the treasury at once,
for regulating taxation, and negotiating loans
on such safe and favorable terms as will insure
their being rendered. This is all the country
demands of its representatives at the present
critical moment, and failing in that they fail
in their highest duty.


Heretofore the time has been frittered away
in Congress-now six weeks in session-upon
every frivolous and vexatious question, while
the paramount duty Of that body has been COM
pletely ignored, smothered up and hidden away
under every possible disguise, and, first of all,
under the pretence of patriotic desire for an
instant onward movement Of our armies. In
crisis such as the country is now passing
through, every branch of the government
should combine in one common action; yet what
a miserable example Congress- the greatest
motive power of all branches Of the govern
ment, is now setting to the country and the
world.


Upon the conduct Of that body depends the
question whether our armies can be efficiently
employed, rebellion crushed out at once, the in
tegrity of the Union re-established, the country
restored to prosperity and peace, our enc
mics subdued at home and humbled abroad.
Let the clamorers for an onward movement
then, knock at the doors of the Congressional
chambers, and demand that it shall be made
there.