Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-10-10
Gen. Fremont---will he Succeed p

tFrom the ST. Louis Republican, Sept 3ol
We believe that he will, thoroughly ant
finally. But we are not among those who
think that success is the only merit, or thai
failure is conclusive evidence Of incapacity.
We desire here to put on record that Gen.
Fremont deserves success and victory, vheth.
or he obtains them or not He has done ali
that human energy could accomplish, under
circumstances of the utmost difficulty and
embarrassment. He has already far out.
stripped, in energy and generalship, all his
military competitors of the day. We do
not speak ignorantly, for we know what
was the condition Of things in this Depart
ment when he took the command and what
il is now, and the difficulties under which
the change has been effected. In these two
months since the disgraceful defeat at Bull
Run, which had thrown its dark shadow
over tho whole country, he has done Her
culean work, enough, Of itself, to make the
reputation Of any man living.
He found the city absolutely defenseless
Secession rampant and jubilant, Seccs-
si0nists organized and full of courage, and
the Union men cherries, without organixa.
ti0u, almost afraid to speak, and quite afraid
TO act. Thoy had no efficient head, and NO
plan Of action. A considerable number Of
their most prominent men, who are now
lOudest in complaint, had left or were leay.
ing the city for Summer recreation. The
armies of the Confederates were gradually
drawing around the city. Birds Point, Pile,
Knob, Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, and
St Louis, were all threatened, and in dan.
ger. The little army &C Springfield was our
only hope. Gen. Fremont had no means of
reinforcing that point, and this Gen. Lyon
well knew. He had neither troops nor am.
munition to send. This can be proved and
in proper time, if we are not mistaken. the
records will appear. The battle at Spring.
tield-ODe Of the most heroic exploits in all
history-one Of the grandest Of all human
acts Of self f-sacrifce gained time, which was
diligently improved. In few weeks all the
points most important to our cause were ad.
equately strengthened. The be e:inning of a
grand army was made, on scale which prov.
ed that We had commander who under.
stood the magnitude of his work aud the
enemy to be resisted and now, at the end
OF these two short months, we have a loyal
city, where Secession hides itself, and in
which loyal MN are thoroughly organized
and able to defend themselves. We have a
well-defended city, with fortifcations all
around US, SO that all hostile attacks can be
resisted by small army and the city itseli
controlled. We have gallant army now in
the field, under the General himself, thirty
thousand strong, well armed and eauipped.
with cavalry and artillery and engineer corps,
ali IN good condition, and with every hope
OF victory which a good cause and confidence
in their officers and General can give. And
how has that army been gathered and or.
ganlzcd, in so short time, under the dis.
heartening influence Of defeat2 Let the
truth be known. 1t was by the prestige of
Frcnont's name, and by Fremont's indomi.
table energy The men have focked TO his
call, the arms and munitions of war he has
obtained on his own responsibility. He has
been thwarted by the opposition, secret and
open, of disappointed men. He has been
under the necessity of attending to all the
details of business, because those who ouqht
to have helped him had their own ends 10
serve. He has been compelled to defend
himselfat Washington against those whom
he was serving, and by whom he ought to
have. been Internationally upheld. His
heroic wife stepped in the gan, and taught
tnem some lessons there which they would
not otherwise have learned. The Benton
blood stirred within her, and the truth was
spoken in plain terms. But the opposit;on
has not hcen stayed, and no stone has been
lett unturned, here or at Washington, no
agency neglected, which could be used against
Fremont. He has been driven tO take unu.
sual steps, and to assume unusual responsible
ties by the very men who cry out against
hun, for what they have compelled him to
We say,and believe that he will triumph.
lntly succeed. He thoroughly deserves sue.
ccss. Failure would not be his fault, but
success WILDE his glorious merit. Let ali
parties sustain him in this hour of trial and
let the faults bc found, if any, after the sue
cess has been gained Every man who now
works against Fremont is giving aid and
comfort to the enemy. - -.