The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-08-28
READ! EsEAOIl READ!
Mr.. ThurIOw Weed tells Who is Re-
SpOnSibIe for the Disa ster.
Editor al correspondence of the Albany Evening
Journal.1


| Editor al correspondence Of the Albany Evening
Journal.l
WAsHIEGToN, July 26, 1861.
The public mind, painfully but reasonably
excited, it entitled TO be informed Of what so
deeply and vitality concerns the general welfare.
| When rebellion broke out into open war, upon
| Fort Sumter, the people rose with unanimity
unexampled in the worlds history, offering
themselves and their possessions to the Govern.
ment, asking only, in return, that war thus
wantonly and wickedly provoked, should be
vigorously prosecuted.
| Passing over an interval Of three months, we
come to the disastrous battle of Manassas
| Who is responsible for the great National disas-
ter? Officials cannot answer-individuals may
speak, their answer passing for its worth, accor-
ding TO the estimate which the public put upon
their judgement and means Of information.
| Lieut. Gen Scott in the discharge Of his du
ty as Commander-in. Chief Of the army, conceiv-
ed and perfected plan Of programme, by means
which he confidently, as the summer and fall
campaign, anticipated the overthrow Of the
Con ederate army, and thus virtually to end the
rebellion.
This plan, primarily contemplated camps OF
instruction, where raw evies might, during the
months Of une, July and August, be subject to
discipline and Injured to service, sending the reg
ments, as they became fit for duty, into the
field, making room as they departed, for green
organizations.
With his disposabIe force (aner the safety of
the Capital was assured) Gen. Scott commen
ced operations at Fortress Monroe, near Har-
per's Ferry, and in Western Virginia, the lat
ter point being the most favorable rrofiting as
no other section did, by the co operation and
sympathies Of loyal inhabitants. With Wash.
ington for his base OF operations the western
wings OF his army to feel and fight their way
soulhward, until at the appointed time, having
reached their designated positions, all columns
were to move simultaneously, Richmond falling,
as Mexico fell, before an irresistible army.
But this plan did not accord with the popular
idea Prominent persons, ,0hosc councils and
cianlors precjpitafeG the outbreak, demanded pre-
cpjtate action. These demands were more and
more clamoIous. Exciting appeals to popular
feelings were soon followed by open asperations
and denurciatons OF Gen. Scott, And finally
with presumption and insolence unheard Of a
leading journal, assuming command Of the ar
my, issued and reiter ated the order--"On to
Richmond"
While widely spread newspapers were thus
, weakening he Administration by assaults up
: on the Commanding General his embarrass
ments we're aggravated by persistent hostility
and every day aspersions Of the Postmaster
General, whose brother, prominent member
of Congress assailed him from the stump.
D Meanwhile Congress assembled, Senators and
Representatives, with more zeal than knowl-
edge, caught up and re terated the cry On to
Richmond ~ The impatient Congressman were
, leading the influential. They waited upon the
! President to complain Of the inactivity of the
army; and upon General Scott, urging him "On
! to Richmond" Army bills, prepared with de
b liberation by Senator Wilson, in accordance
! with the views of the Government. were emas-
custed by the House Military Committee, o
which Mr. Blair is chairman The President
and his cabinet hid reason to apprehend-i
not the censures of Congress the failure o
measures essential to the prosecution OF the
war, unless the Tribune order Of "On to Rich
I mond" was obeyed.
n And now the sensation journals begin t.
h disparage the strength and courage OF the reb
ell army. "Th'rebels aDtN not 6ghH" The coto
ards ,vU run !" ect.. ect., appeared in flaming
s capitals over flash paragraphs. The wbole'pop
ular mind was excited by these frenzied appeals
A movement upon Manassas was UNIVERSAL,
and blindly demanded Passions and animositte
J. kindred to those which once delugea Francs i,
J.
T.. press the denunciations of Cabinet Minister
= and the impeuosity of a dozen members o
= Congress, exciting the masses, moved" Gen
o Scott "from his propreties." For once in HI
;, life, his purposes were thwarted-for once "hi
d mind became the mind ofo other men +" The re
J.. suit has shown that it was fatal Weakness =
And yet, who knows what would have been tn
i effect OF an adherence to his plan?
n The New York Tribune was educating mill
10 ions to distrust the wisdom OF the Administra
- ton and the fidelity Of the Commanding Gener
al. Every day emboldened its audacty--ever
IT mail and wire disseminated its teason---and ev
ery hour augmented its popular discomfort -
10 Congress, though its session opened auspciouS
!, lly. began TO ralter. The Bairs- one in the Cal
' met and the other in Congress--were organic
( ing an "On to Richmond" faction. To have re
sisted these demands w,ah haze cperthro,on n
/. Administrations and might hane destroyed Il
4 Government "Madness ruled the hour" and
!, battle at Manassas, right or wrong, not mill
u tary, but political ''necessi "
IT 1t is not true, however, Us has been asserted
Of that Gen. Scott was constrained to hazard thi
battle by the President. Between the Presi
dent, and, with one exception, the Cabinet, an
'e Gen Scott, there has been mutual regard ant
10 confidence.
Will not now sup 10 COneiuer uetaliS OF CIit
icse acts. The major blnnder includes all III
: minor ones. There should have been no gen
!, ersl engagement until we were in the field wit
l. an army strong enough to overs helm and crus
10 out rebellion There were other points a
which we could have been adyantageousiy an
:, successfully occupied.
q But even il it were excusable TO assault a
!. army equal in numbers to our own, in It's cho
h sen POSITION, and behind its intrenchments. Oh
!. purpose should have been abandoned whci
!. the army al Manassas was strengthened by tha
Is from Winchester. Then, surely the conflic
d was too unequal With all the conditions am
j. circumstances so changed, Gen. Mcdowell
|. should have taken the responsibility OF disobey
ing his orders. The reason would have justifl
! ed him in the judgement o the Goyernmen
and people.
z But the order Of "on to Richmond" was 0