The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-10-11
THE CALIFORNIAN
deferred Artitles.


We must say We are surprised at the ex-
tent and tierccness Of the clamor which the
press has so suddenly raised against Gen
Fremont. even though much OF what has
been said should prove to be true. In quar-
tprs where he was an idol two weeks ago. he
is now represented as little better than a
mschievou> imbecile and the variety of
charges now generally brought to bear a
ganst him would. il as generally credited,
break him down and sweep him into hopeless
gnominy Why is all this? Because Colo
mel Mulligan was compelled to surrender at
Lexingtou-an event about which we are not
sure that we have the most obvious incidents,
such as the Killed and wounded. in a reliable
shape. We do not know whether Col Null
liean was not ordered and expected to vacate
Lexington. instead of making any stand; nor
why Gen Sturgis did not reach him; nor why
Gen Lane did no, traverse his reported forty
miles distance in four days; nor why the
steamboats,. with reintorcementS, which were
sent By Fremont with the expectation that
thcv would arrive on the morning OF the Gay
in which NulligaH surrendered IN the alter
noon. did not appear in season; nor many
other particulars which are absolutely essen
tial to fair undt sanding OF the case.
And Vet in advance Of this understanding
Il great many Journals are clamoring for the
immediate punishment Of Gen Fremont, some
even insisting that lie shall be prevented from
taking personal share in the effort TO recoy-
II Lexington and capture Prices army. lie
has bllnderetl off with his head Such
is the policy now pursued toward the com
mander Of the Department OF tie West. 1t
seems to pass for nothing with his new de-
tractors that Gen Fremont was dropped, 4
few weeks ago, into i sphere where a mighty
army had - be created out Of nothing at
hand. neither men. money. equipments. am
munitIon. transports. system Of any kind nor
popular interest. Sine then Fremont has
worked eighteen hours Il day. has gathered
immense military stores. built railroads and
made soldiers. after attracting them from the
people by his own popularity. The govern
ment has nov thousands of good troops on
the Potomac that it could Not have had any
where bur for the attractive influence of Ere
mont.
But he has failed once-that is, grantir g
(Which re certainly shall not do at present)
these new charges to be true in substance,
for many of them in their specific shapes are
SO contradictory as to be evident talsehoods.
Have We, then, had such brilliant and invari-
able success on the part of all our other otfi
GERS. politicians and public advisers III gener
al, during this crisis. that Fremont must be
condemned unheard? We submit that this
Is no way TO treat those on whom we are to
depend Tor ariuous Servic. in tbs great
s.yaSg IT, We say it not only in the interest
q Gen Fremont. bat of Gen Butler. who has
a.ready had series of the same ups and
downs. OF Gen R0SecranS. Of Gen Mcclellan
himself. who may ncei public torbearance to-
morrow equal TO the adulaton which he ELL
,rv> to-day. I.et Fremont's course have {;
far and thorough examination. and let him
Ei!c a far chance 20 show in the field wheth
81 ms inconte>table merits are 50 impaired BY
any defects that he is 70 be thrown aside as
useless in this campaign. Having not alto
gethcr approved his course when the press
in general va, clarifying him. and not hav-
ing ht>itated to criticise il in some import
ant particulars. We now think it is right to
say thus much in behalf of Gen Fremont
Bosion .jpUIIml.