New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-20
TuE ARREST or COL. Z. P. BLAIR, JR.

From a. 81 I,ouis Democrat Sept. H..
The arrest of Col.F. L. Blair, jr, by order OF MAJ
Cen Fremont on Sunday evening, has given rise 10
great deal Of excited comment in city, and will be
received with profound sstonishment throughout the
country. The particulars OF the case, as we learn
them are TO the following effect:
Col Bairs chief ohense is the writing Of certain
letters TO the President members OF the Cabinet, and
other leading parties in Washington City, complaining,
among other things, of the inetciency and ineompe.
tency Of Gen. Fremont, speaking disrespectfuly OF
him. aud asking his removal from the Department OF
the West This as a subordinate officer, according to
military regulations, he had no night TO do and eonse
queny became amenabe to the military law providing
for the discipline and good order Of the army.
IL was doubtless at the urgent demand of Col Blair
that James O. Droadhead ESQ., of this city, made
witt 10 Washington City few days ago 70 lay before
the Cabinet the Of Gen. Fremont and TO urge bis
removal; and IL is probable, upon these representa-
lions of Col Blair through Mr.. Broadhead, that Judge
Montgomery Blair of the Cabinet, and Gen. Megs, Of
the Quartefmasiers Department, were appointed
commission 20 proceed 10 the Department of the West
and make INQUIRIES into the nature Of the charges
against the Commander-in.Clief OF the results #
this commission we know nothing Gen. Meigs, IL Is
stated Is the friend OF Gen. Fremont in this matter,
and such investigations a. may have been made were
undoubtedly conducted with rigid inpartiality.
This commission however, 20 TAR as we understand
t. does not affect in the least the question Of the arrest
OF Col Blair. lie at liberty, as an officer of the
army 10 prefer charges against his superior In com
mand but there is manner OF doing this specially
prescribed by military law, which Col Blair did not
choose TO adopt The evidence Of his characterization
az EXPRESSED In letters and communications UNDER
stand is Of the strongest character IL is rmOred that
some of Gen Fremonts staff, and llrge number Of
subordinate officers who owe their commissions 10 Col
Blair are implicated in this effort 20 remove Col FIRE.
mont, and have been imprudent in their daily speech
and action The evidence against them Is also IN tue
proper hands.
The case which Is 70 seriously regretted in this city
and State, where Col. Blair is so well known, and
where be has spent the better part OF bus he IN honor
able public effort ard service, is not without its pecu
liari,ies aud embarrassments. The question arises
whether the arrest is proper since Col Blair has no
military commission Ii will be remembereibe denied
his1olonelcy during the session Of the lat Congress
and since that Time we understand has not accepted
any army commission yet be has been the acting Col
oucl of the let Regiment of Missouri Volunteers, has
sgned himself SUCH has been industriousy engaged
in converting that regiment into artillery corps has
worn the uniform Of Colonel and In all respects as
sumed the full responsibility of that office. Still, IL
be Colonel without "a commission, ana Is ne
properly eublect 20 military arrest The case may
not present these difficulties to any one better
acquainted with military law than ourselves
In reference TO the course TO be pursued by Col.
Blair, we know nothing. IL would be IN consonance
with the pluck and msnness Of his character should
he meet the charges against him with fair, stand-up
fight az an army officer. Many of bis friends, however,
claim for him an entire exemption from military arrest
on the ground that in this matter he has acted simply
as civilian or at most, the Congressional Repre-
sentative fthe District. Tbs examination, which will
be of private character will DOT take place, we un-
derstand for some days.