Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-10-04
The Removal and Arrest Of Gen. Frer


WELLS PORTER.
The Removal and Arrest Of Gen. Fremont.
Upon charges made by Col. Blair, Major
General Fremont has been ordered 10 report
himself for trial by eourt-marfial,
Gen Wool Of Fortress Monroe, has been
ordered to supercede General Fremont in the
command Of the Department Of the West,
and General Mansfield left for Fortress Mon
roe this afternoon to supercede General
Wool Washington DisPa:eh.
One month ago, the whole country was re-
jOicing over the prospects for Missouri under
the Generalship Of John @. Fremont and a
few days latez one universal thrOb Of symPa-
thy and relief was felt when that General
issnsd his famous proclamation. It was felt
that if he had transcribed the powers dele
gated 70 him, be had done it with the en-
largcd view Of the field OF labor which the
authorities thousand miles away could not
take, and that, whatever the technicahties Of
regulation might decide, he had struck a
deadly blow at the root of the REBELLION
The sole question asked by the people was
regarding his ability to carry ont his plan Of
action. The press throughout the North but
spoke the voice of the people in their hearty
and unanimous commendation Of the spirit
Of bis declarations and designs. Had it been
said then that in less than one month there
after, the brave officer whose sword had so
quietly and sltillfully cut the knot of rebel
lion, would be removed from his command
and ordered to Washington under arrest the
toneusor pen that made the statement would
have been accounted slanderons and lying
prophet. And Jet this has been done.
The Presidents mobilization Of Fremonfs
proclamation FIRST opened the door for COM
plants of that General to he made known,
and since that time not a dsy has passed
without some further charges beins- made
against him. Every failure throughout the
length aud breadth OF Missouri has been laid
at his door. Gen. Lyons death is eharg-
ed home upon Gen Fremont, again and
again, in spite Of all showing that be could
not have reinforced that officer, and gard
less Of the tact that every man who goes in
TO battle, whether that battle result in vic
tory or defeat, does so at the peril of his life.
The bullet of a shsrp-shoOter might Just as
surely have sped to the heart of Gen. Lyon,
if he had been leading bis men in full pur.
suit of flying enemy, as in ais fearless at.
tempt to rally his men bsfOre an overpower-
ing foe.
The surrender Of Lexington, after the no.
bic defence by Col Mulligan and his men, is
also laid at the door of Gen. Fremont. Per-
haps he is responsible for that but if 50, it
has yet to be shown. Until that shall be
done, far more clearly than has yet been
given 70 the world, the weight of testimony
s in favor of Fremont. he has had an i'm
mense territory and long line to protect,
while but few troops have been given him
TO do it with, and these poorly prepared Tor
an advance for want Of necessary equip.
ments or money to buy them. The surpris-
ing facts set forth in an article from the st.
Louis Democrat, and Published elsewhere in
this paper, are no small item in the defense
Of Fremont.
What charges are preferred by Col. Blair
We do not know, and therefore are not quail
fled to judge Of their weight. If the good
ofthe country demands that Fremont should
be sacrificed, then let the axe fall. No man
Is above our country, and it is better that
every one Of our leaders be dethroned If the
safety Of our country requires it. But
we want the Indictment the bill Of psrticu-
lars. IfFremont was not military man,
Why was he appointed Major General2 If
be was extravagart and dishonest why was
be put in charge of such vast interests in the
Western department. If removed for per-
sonal causes, why was he put there at ALL
BE was not unknown, either to the world
at large or to the authorities, when be re-
ceived his commission. Gen. Scott must
have had a voice in the question Of tender
ing him his Major Generalship, and Gen.
Scott is not in the habit Of trusting to men
"Of no military capacity" as certain wise
acres now characterize Fremont. But, we
repeat if the renewal Of Fremont was
for the good Of the country, we viii cheer
fully acquiesce in It We have no censure
for the Administration, for we have unbound
ed faith in its integrity and discrimination to
dc right, and right only. But knowing as
we dc, that q Fremont has been the war cry
which has caused thousands and tens OF
thousands Of the young men Of the West to
rally 70 the defense Of our country and our
flag, We greatly regret the necessity Of the
step.
But fone good soldier has gone out an
other has come in. Gen. Wool is the oldest
soldier in the service except Gen. Scott and
ofhis ability and power there is no question.
Fremont has 50 carefully performed the
preliminary work Of the campaign, in forti-
tying the base Of operations, that Gen. Wool