The national Republican., 1861-08-05

Lincoln had contributed to force him into the
battle Of Bull Run.
Mr.. Blair, of Missouri. allude to this matter
for a double purpose. l find that the gentleman
is reported as stating that General Scott in
tended to pay personal compliment to Mr.
Lincoln; but that he did not exonerate the
Cabinet. The gentleman then goes on to say
that
"Abraham Lincoln-and have known him
from boyhood's hour till now-if you let him
alone, he is an honest man; but am afraid he
has not the will to stand up against the willy
politicians who surround him, and knead him to
their purposes"
Now, sir, say that all that has been said on
that occasion goes to show that Gen. Scott did
intend to exonerate the President from the
allegation that he had forced him into fight.
undertake to say such is the fact, and want
it to 60 upon the record.
Mr.. Richardson. Let US have no misunder.
standing about this matter. My colleagues un.
derstood that gave the language as near as
could. Whether have been correctly reported
or not, l do not know. If did not then make
the correct statement, let me do it now.
Mr.. Blair, of Missouri. l shall be glad to
hear it.
Mr. Richardson. did not understand Gen.
Scott, nor did ! mean so to be understood, as
implying that the President had forced him to
fight that battle.
Mr.. Blair, of Missouri. That is the very
essence Of this matter. But / go further, in
reference to what occurred prior 10 that battle,
and say that the President, after he had infor.
nation that Gen. johnson had escaped through
the hands of Gen. Patterson, and had Joined
Gen. Beauregard on Friday evening, went to
Gen. Scott and suggested the proprety Of wait.
ing until Patterson's corps could come up and
reinforce the army that was then before Manas.
sas but so firmly fixed was Gen. Scott's deter.
mination to attack the enemy then and there,
that the Presidents suggestion was dsregarded
The Secretary Of War also returned from the
field before the BATTLE and endeavored to induce
Gen. Scott to send forward reinforcements he
urged it again and again and finally succeeded
in having five regiments sent, two Of which
reached Centreville before the retreat com
menced. I make these statements, and make
them for the purpose Of preventing Gen. Scott
from being exhibited to the country, as has been
attempted to be done by his friends, as assailing
the President and his Administration. This
conversation, as reported in the speech of the
gentleman from Illinois, and that speech has
other marks indicating design to attack the
Administration, holds out Gen. Scott as assail
ing the President and the Cabinet.
But have another purpose far more impor
tant and that is that the President shall retain
the confidence of the people Of this country
of all who are in favor of preserving the Union
but as long as he is held out as interposing and
forcing the commanding general to fight g
battle against his will, he cannot command thai
confidence. When the country knows the truth
as they will know, that the President did no
take the responsibility to order battle before
our troops were prepared for it, he will retain
as he deserves, the confidence Of the people o
this country in the war;"