The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-10-04
Fremont Under Arrest.

We learn this morning that Col. Blair has /
preferred charges against General Fremont, |
and that the Commander of the Western
Division of the Grand Army is ordered to |
report himself at Washington to answer
the charges before q Court Martial. The |
malignity that characterizes the conduct of
Col Blair is unaccountable. He seems de-
termined to strike down Fremont, though,
in doing so, he may strike down the best
interests of the Government in this part of
the Country. That he SHOULD postpone MAX
ing the charges until General Fremont had
placed himself at the head of the army
and was about to strike the blow that would
demonstrate his fitness or unftness for the
position he now fills, menifests personal
venom that is discreditable to man who
claims to be, par excellence lover of his
Country. Col. BIair's hostility to Fremont
may react upon himself, and the petard
which he has so carefully laid to blow up the
reputation of that General, only result in the
destruction of his own. Fremont has the
confidence of the people. They are not dis
from his position on charges that are not
substantiated by proof clear as the MONDAY
light. 1t is part of politicians trade to
originate and prefer charges. There may
be trumped up against any government Of
icer, in few days, what it will take him
weeks, if not months, to answer; and the
manner in which General Fremont has been
treated indicates that this course is to be
pursued towards him, so that his time will
be entirely occupied in defending his own
reputation, and none be left to devote to the
interests of his Country.
The Administration viii do well to be-
ware. 1t is tfifing with the feelings of the
West in a manner that will prove disas-
trous, unless more of disposition is man
Tested to consult their wishes and opinions
If Fremont is called ito Washington, and
defeat overtakes our troops in Northwest
ern Missouri, it win be hard for it to shift
the responsibility from its own TO Ere
monts shoulders. If, on the contrary, our
brave soldiers meet and overpower the reb-
els under Price, our people are very certain
to assume that the success is due to the
energy and sagacious foresight of General
Fremont. Thus, let the contest in Missouri
terminate as it may, the sympathies of the
people are with him whom they conceive
to be prosecuted and slandered, but still
efficient, officer. Charges have been prefer
red. The Administration has had opportu-
mites of ascertaining the truth or falsity of
these charges. The summoning of FREE
mont from his command to Washington,
undoubtedly indicates that, in the opinion
of the Government, the charges are sus-
tanned by evidence. If the charges are
not sustained by the clearest proof the at
tempt to degrade the officer in whom the
people place SO much confidence viii arouse
storm of indignation in the West that
will be heard even to the Capital A
Our people already fear that the vision of
the Administration is limited by the Ale
gheny mountains The only demand for
troops is to protect Washington from the
possibility of danger, and afford employ
ment to the vast hordes of patriotic arti-
sans in the Eastern States.
It matters little that Beauregard may
friQhten McCleIlan's zoo, 900 men with To-
600 or 1900, while he swiftly transfers
regiment after regiment from the Poto-
mac to the Ohio; it matters not that our
citizens on the border are to be robbed Of
their sleep by incessant alarms and constant
duty under arms to protect their 6resides
and homes, SO that the men they put in the
field see to it that the President is made
slfe in Washington, and Mrs. Lincoln is an
interrupted in her French studies. These
things are seen by our people. They are
thought Of, they are talked about. They
know that Indiana has been drained of her
soldiers to protect other interests than her
own, and as they look in each others faces,
paid with alarm, they cannot understand
why it is that Beauregard can transfer so
much of his force west while Mcclellan is
constantly being strengthened by troops
sent East. Are the first cities in the
Valley Of the Ohio to be blotted ont of ex-
istence that Gen. Mcclellan may become
military demigod2 If his army is not in
condition now to attack Beauregards shalt
starved, ragged, undisciplined army, living
on salt aad potatoes in the name of God
when will it be? 1t is clearly evident that
troops from Virginia are pouring into
Kentucky, and yet there is no advance from
Washington, and no indications but that
the borders of Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois Al e,
to be left to take care Of themselves. The
result Of this culpable indifference or the
part of the Administration as to the fate of