Daily national Democrat., 1861-10-05
The Troubles in the Military Department
of the West.

| ing statements concerning the Fremonts and
the Blairs. Ever since Fremont went to
Missouri, there has been systematic crilici-
zing of his public and private movements. 1t
has been said that his performances fell far
short OF lis promises that his failure to re-
inforce Lyon in Southwest Missouri was
sheer neglect that he was housed in plen-
did mansion, ond could not be seen, except
on rare occasions, and after much formality
and waiting; that he had collected bad men
about him that his celebrated proclamation
was rash and prejudcial TO the Government
finally that he was inefficient, as q comman
der, and unfathful as the disburser OF large
sums of the public money. 1t has been as
certained that f. p Blair, Jr., Member of
Congress from the st. Louis District, and act
ing Colonel of the lst Regiment of Missouri
Volunteers, has been laboring very hard
with the President to procure the removal of
Gen. Fremont This has come to the Gener-
ais knowledge, and terrible quarrel is now
going on between the Blairs-father and
two sons-on the one side, and John G. and
Jessie Benton Fremont on the other. Wheth-
or the newspaper complaints led Blair,
Jr., to contrive against Fremont, or whether
the desire of Blair to remove Fremont
caused the newspaper attacks, is the great
question which time will decide. 1t is said
by the friends Of the General that Blair at
tempted to dictate to him the course he
should pursue, that he got snubbed for his
pains; and hence the newspaper charges Of
neillcency, etc. Blair is n nan of very
strong will, and, like all men of his stamp,
likes to WELD power. Backed 10y his brother,
in the Cabinet, and his own power in party
affairs in Missouri, he is an ugly customer to
deal with Fremont seems to have set the
Benton blood after him. and the report OF
the first battle is favorable to Jessie. She
repaired to Washington, and found that
Blair, Jr., had been writing to the President
to Bates and to his brother, letters Which
contained precisely the same charges against
! her husband as had been written for the anti
Fremont newspapers. The Bees correspon-
dent thus records her interview with the
President and its results:
She called on the President, stated her case
in such true womanly drectness as her in
dignant feelings prompted. The President,
upon hearing her statement, remarked that
the case she stated it was entirely differ
ent fromjhis understanding Of the NATTER that
! he would consider the subject, and that just
! ~ 10 L bo In ~;
from the White House, who should she
stumble upon but F. p Blair Sr, and draw
ing him aside, she opened volley Of accusa-
tions as to his completely in misstatng her
husbands position She had only surmises,
but the admissions of Mr.. Blair proved her
surmises were correct. Just then $50 rumor
has it) Old Abe was passing down the hall,
when Jessie drew him into the ante-room,
and facing Blair, said "now want you to
say to the President what you have said to
me. If you refuse shall repeat it to your
face, and challenge you to deny it." The old
gentleman found himself cornered, and COM
piled with as much grace as possible. What
the admission was rumor does not say; but
that it was important is confidently asserted.
Jessie gained the day, and it is said the old
Benton stock played against all three of the
llaira and euchered the crowd.
She returned to St Louis with much oftht
Blair correspondence in her possession. The
next day after her arrival there came to St
; Louis, Montgomery Blair, POSTMASTER Gen
eral) and Quartermaster General Meigs, who
were met by Schuyler Colfax-a friend to
Fremont and some private councils were
had The only result of it all was that the
Postmaster General returned to Washington
and his brother Frank was placed under ar
rest by Fremont, who still remained in COM
mand. The Unions correspondent says of
this important arrest:
This act tool, everybody by surprise this
morning, but | have not seen the first man
who condemns Gen Fremont for so doing. 1t
is generally conceded that Col Blair inter
fered with the duties Of his superior officer,
and also spoke disrespectfuly of him.
Somebody has got to yield. There is no
nonsense about the Blairs. They are violent
men, and will, no doubt, use every exertior
to oust Fremont from his present position
1t is a most unfortunate quarrel; for oil the
parties are Jealous and earnest in their desire
to serve the country. During the contro-
versy, much injustice will be done by the
partizans of each side, and exaggerated state
ments will lie published, for which due al
lowance may not be made by the public
They had all better be sent out of the coun-
try than be allowed to carry their personal
matters to sueA an extent as to prejudice the
Union cause in the West. 1t is to be hoped
that the Administration Will quickly sift the
matter and finally dispose of it. While il
remains unsettled, the sensation news monger'
will do mischief with it.
THE COERCION OF MAGoFFIN. The circum
stances under which the Secession Governor
of kentucky issued his recent proclamation
demanding the withdrawal, from that State
of the rebel forces. show him in his true
light; and also show how the Kentucky Leg,
islature-true to the people-coer"ed the
gentleman. The Legislature passed resoIu