The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-10-11
The Fremont and Blair Controversy.


Almost simultaneously with tho modifi
cation of Gen. Fremont's Proclamation, il
was announced that controversy had arisen
between him and Col. Frank p. Blair, of
controversy could only be conjectured by
the public, whlo innum cradle telegraphc
rnmors, as usual, rendered 1t more uncer-
tain and obscure. All the letters, charges,
60, on both sides, have just been made
public, and their substance is thus briefly
stated:
COLONEL BLAIR's COMPLAINTS.
On the lst of September, Colonel Frank
+. Blair wrote to his brother, Montgomery
Blair. Postmaster General, complaining that
Fremont was at fault for not re-enforcing
Lyon; that at FremOnfs camp there was
40 discipline, that proper steps to check the
euemy had not been taken, and urging tha,
Fremont should be relieved of his command
and man of ability put In bis place. This
letter was submitted TO the Cabinet, und
occasioned an earnest discussion as TO Fro.
piont's continuance in the Western Depart.
mont
LETTER OF JESSIE TO THE PRESIDENT.
Colonel Blair's fatbor informed Mrs. Fro
mont that these charges had been made
On behalf OF her husband she wrote to Pros.
ident Lincoln, to be furnished with q copy
of Frank Blair's charges.
PRESIDENTS REPLY.
The President replied that no impression
had been made on his mind against the
honor or integrity of General Fremont, and
protested against being understood as act.
Ing In any hostility toward him. That Post
master. General Blair had repaired to g.
LOUIS as friend of Fremont, but was moi
sent to examine into that department.
FREMONT AND TIE POSTMASTER. GENERAL.
Fremont requests tha; the Postmaster
General furnish him copy OF Colonel Blair's
charges. IL was sent with a request that
Colonel Blair, then under arrest, shocld be
released. Tho release was ordered but de.
clined. aud, as a prisoner at the Barracks
the brother OF Cabinet officer awaits trial.
Two CHARGES AGAINST COLONEL BLAIR.
I. Conduct unbecoming an officer and a
gentleman. Specifications relate to Blair's
frequent street talk, sssaiIing General Fre-
mont, the commanding General, and his
secret, insidious, unsustainod charges, for
warded to covertIy reach the Cabinet and
disturb the Presidents confidence, thus not
affording Fremont an opportunity of dc.
fense.
2. Communicating BY o printed article
to the public false Impressions, disparaging
10 his superior officer.
The specifications relate to sentence in
an article published by Blair, rejecting thus
on General Fremont;
81 assure you, (meanng the editors of
said newspaper0 whether you believe me or
not, that do not even shrink from the
pompous threats which appear in your col.
umns, but whose unfamiliar garb betrays
another origin"
These documents present the conduct of
Col. Blair In worry unfavorablo light, and
secm to justify the language which Gen.
Fremont usOs in one of bis specifications;
"Said charges wero made, not to tho Soc.
rotary OF War or the COmmauder-in.C Chief
of the Army, bot 70 the Postmaster General
his brothorj thus using his family relations
With the Cabinet to get secret, insidiOus, un
sustained and ungentlemanly charges against
said Commanding General before the Pres
dent Of the United States. his purpose being
20 have appointed, without consultation
with tho military authorities, commissioner
--e.beNO suO management
Of said Western Department, to be directed
BY and to consist in part of tho brother o
said Colonel Blair, tho sccuser."
In this unfortuuate controversy, the peo
pie are with Gen. Fremont. They have tb,
fuilOst confidence 10 his honesty, courage
and ability, and believe oil reports of hi
exirAvaganoe and InefIiciency to original,
with partisaa rivals. who would ruin hin
because they envy his growing fame. Tn
rumOr that he was to be superseded wa
received everywhere in the loyal Slater
with painfcl apprehension, and created suc
intense eIcitemeDt in Missouri that secre
tary Seward felt constrained to con,radic
IL BY telegraph. lie can do nothing with
out Lneaus, yet wc bolieve that time an
che faithful cooperation of the AdmiuistrI
tion alone are needed to insure him such
victory as will silence all his ensmi los.