Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1861-11-09
From the N. Y. Tribune
GEN. THoBIAS's REPORT.

GEN. THOMAS's REPORT.
The reflection will hardly fail to occur
to every reader, after laying down the re-
port of AGjt.Gen. Thomas on the affairs OF
the Western Department, how entirely in
the dark we oil are as to the manner in
which these serious charges against Ere.
mont will be met Its several weeks now
since iucapacity and neglect of duty were
declared to characterize his command in
Missouri, and a public clamor raised against
him, which held him alone responsible for
the accumulated disasters which had over
whelmed the State and which demanded
that be should atone for it by some brilliant
action that should restore the region TO the
Union and to peace. All this, moreover,
had come upon us like a thunder storm in
Summer sky The latter part Of July, the
whole Of August, and portion of Septem.
Der, had passed away Lyon had been dead
for weeks Price with his reinforcements
had trayersed considerable portion of the
State on his march northward the rebels
everywhere had grown bolder and bOlder
with the advances Of the insurgent force
from Tennessee and Arkansas and Fremont
| might still have been pointed out as the
most popular General in the country, and
one whose diligence, skill, and Integrity
there was the most unbounded confidence,
notwithstanding the difficulties by " hich he
was surrounded. But there came re.
marknble change--a change which, whether
there belongs TO it the relation of cause and
effect, or only that Of o noticeable coinci.
dence, was Immediately preceded by the
Presidents modification ofFremOnt'S proc
IamalIon. But TO all the charges and all
the clamOr to Col Dlaii's letter. which
sas the indictment, and Col. BIair's speci-
lications, relying for their strength, in some
measure, upon acts committed subsequent
to the date Of his original charges to the
mighty engincry of telegraphic dispatches,
To the artillery of special correspondents, to
the fresh hostility Of all the old enemies Of
the Republican candidate Of 1856, Gen.
Fremont, under every plovocatou and with
six weeks for reflection has answered moth
ling. The fact should tell something in his
fa' or, that, as 10 the answer that may be
made to these charges in Gen.
IThomas's report, many of which have been
so long before the public, the public has re
ceived not the slightest ray of light from
Fremont, or heard from him he first muir
mur Of complaint, except in single private
letter, written, we suppose, by secretary,
and published by some njudicious friend
For digniied reticence aud a manly dsre
gard of his own reputation while he has
work before him for his country, OF which,
at least he is capable--let US give him due
credit, even though We applaud next
week the sentence of q Court Martial that
shall lead him out to be shot by tap Of
drum.
In saying thus much, we think we do
Gen. Fremont no more than The simplest
and burest justice, and in so doing We do
not impugn the entire fairness Of the Secre.
tary of War, the Adjulant' General, or any
other Of the distinguished gentleman who
are firmly persuaded of his ineompenteney,
aud perhaps of want of integrity For
they doubtless know whereof they affirm,
have the most minute evidence of the truth
of all their allegations, know how futile any
defenses must be that can be offered, aud
are quite sure that when all the facts shall
be made public the verdict of the people
will sustain and justify them. But We are
; In different position. We have heard the
indictment, and something of the argument
|
an impartial public we hold our opinion in
: obeyance Till the accused has nothing TO
urge in his own behalf. rH
And unquestionably there are points
E in this report of Gen. Thomas to
which Gen. Fremont will have some re.
: lply to make, and on which the public viii
: ask for light. The visit of the Adjutant,
Gen. and the Secretary Of war TO the West
was necessarily q buried one, and foF
want of time some mistakes have been una.
Voidably committed. Thus, 10 Gen. Thorn
ass letter to Gen. Fremont of Oct Ia, the
diseontnuance Of 6eld.wOrks around the
: City of St. Louis is ordered Now it Sc
4 happens that the field works were finished
some time ago, and the order was alto
|, gether supererogatory. The mistake, OF
course, is of no consequence but while il
may provoke a good natured smile, it may
/ suggest the possibility Of other errors. II
/ is evident, moreover, that much had TO bG
4 taken upon heRrsay-a species Of eVi
q dence not admissible in the most trivia
> cause before a country justice of the peace
but which might be proper TO lay before
: the Cabinet ut Washington, whose eleal
3 insight would enable them at once to dis
8 cern the difference between truth aud error
One of the most serious charges, for 10
Z stance. and which has had much indueHe'
upon the public mind, is that Fremont ha'
! surrounded himself with dishonest men
! Had Gen. Thomas devoted himself tosub
stantiatiDg the truth Of this accusation, Il
! would have gone far toward settling public
: opinion on that point. But be says 'lt i