The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-08-29


quite different thing to give his reasons or au-
thorty for such an attack. Does our neighbor
imagine, when he declares that the Secretary OF
War is "mere party trickster," ," a convicted
political blsckleg," that he is paying the Presi-
dent who appointed him high compliment for
Judgment, honesty and patriotism When
President Lincoln formed his Cabinet the war
had actually begun, and he formed it with spe-
cial reference to and in anticipation of the
present condition Of the country If he appoint
ed, under such circumstances, to the most i'm
portant and most responsible post in his Cab-
net, a mere party trickster" "a convicted
political backlog" he is certainly the one who
deserves censure.
The fact is, we do not believe our neighbor
meant the half of the hard things he said. He
has noticed in some of his exchanges attacks on
Mr.. Cameron, and not to be behind any OF his
contemporaries in a good cause, he pitches IN and
goes farther than the most dissatisfied ever
thought of going. While several even infueG-
tial journals, like the Chicago Tribune and the
st. Louis Democrat, have found fault with the
management or judgment Of the Secretary OF
War, they have never gone so far as TO call
him ' a mere party tiickster' Or . a convicted
political blackleg." Indeed they could not with
out bringing still graver charge against Pres
ident Lincoln.
What is specially needed at this crisis of our
National affairs, is an intelligent, judicious con-
6daDoa ba pu4r,ntiep, bnuoutv opd obiirv
Of the Administration. Abraham Lincoln was
selected a. the candidate Of the r publican
party iul - alton which lie now hllS, pre-
emioeni.y Tor MS honesty and good judgment.
N obody canned hat he was brilliant man
nor n surc ssiul politician, Inot even a hand
some man Ike our neighbor Of the Times) but
everybody believed him an honest mana man
Of plain, sound common sense and excellent
judgment. Thus far we have seen nothing (un-
less, indeed, what is said by a few uneasy spir-
its is true) to lead us TO doubt that wrong es.
innate was put upon his character. Time and
experience have proved that Honest Abe Lin
coin" is all, if not more than his friends believed
when they elected him. He has met the unparal-
relied responsibilities of his station, and borne
up under them with wisdom and a strength
that marks him as the man for the times. There
is every reason why we should repOse full con-
fidence in his adm nstralion, without which he
would be comparatively powerless for good
The administration has proved its patriotism
and declared its policy so nearly in consonanco
with the views of the great majority OF the
American people, who put it in power, that NO
voice, of all that majority, has been raised
against it. Not only that, but hundreds OF
thousands Of the opposition have acknowledged
the wisdom of that policy, thrown down their
party prediction and generously come to the
support of the Administration. Under such cir
cumstances, it strikes US that little more trust
in the prudence and judgment OF the President
in the selection of his advisers and 'co-workers
outcry against this and that member off the Cab
met.
1t is but little while since the same cavaliers
were just as loud in their condemnation Of the
Secretary of State His patriotism was doubt.
ed and his ability called in question, and it
was declared that the Administration would be
failure if the Secretary of State was not dis
placed, Finding that the President was not to
be moved in that direction, these same carpers
and faultfnders turned their batteries against
the Lieut., General, the Old Hero, Gen Scott.
They dwelt loud and long upon his slow move
ments, his want of energy, his imbecity, ali
Of h will IN ba IN hi
though dark hints we've thrown out of compile
ity with the rebels, and want of patriotism.
But at length they have turned upon the Sec
rotary of War. 1t seems with them 10 be a ne
cessity to have somebody to hunt down. it is so
much easier to find fault than to wait with the
patriots faith for the Transportation of events
and the triumph Of the Right. 1t is true hat
there is much in the prosecution Of this war
for the Union that We cannot account for, much
that we cannot understand. Happily, We are
fortunately, perhaps, it 10 impossible that the
reasons for every movement or the causes which
prevent a movement, should be published 10
the world, and ne are not, LheI efore, expected
10 understand all the workings Of the compcs-
ted machinery OF Government. If we have con-
uaeuCa the men we have elected to the high
places %. t.ust and responsibility IN lie Gov
ali We want to tall back with a it,.
lie moro reliance upon that confidence.
1t is well known fact that no department
of our Government has been so much neglected
and so uniformly ignored as the War depart. |
ment. The military interests of the country
have been for over a quarter CT q century en-
tirely overlooked. The Regular Army has been
allowed to dwindle down to a mere cipher, and
the civil officers connected with the Admins
sration Of that branch of the Government have
been retained only as sinecures for the reward
Of political services. In addition to this factit
s well known that the administration has been
IN the hands of men who have administered
With express reference to the existing state of
he country. Under President Pierce, JEFF.
Davis, the President and Dictator Of the Re
elion, was Secretary OF War. There is every
eason to believe that he used his advantages
hen with view to his present ositon. 1t is
AH"NLSi VI history lNaC MI, DucuAIan ) SeCF6-
airy of War improved the entire period of that
Administration in preparing the South for the
eoeIhon aeo weakening,in every possible WAY, b,
he Government and destroying its means OF
eh-protection These are facts that must be :
aAen into consideration before we pass sentence
unconditional condemnation upon Secretary 7
cameron. His Department, when he assumed c
s laoors and responsibilities, was in state of
Confusion doubly confounded. Ths idea that
ne War Department was for no.hisp
lore than mere firm and show, had been so ]
ing cultivated, that it could not be brought =, i
more perfect state ofinefficieney and imbecil- t
y From such state of utter confusion the I
ecretary was required to bring into the r
eld' IN three months, armed, equipped. drilled.