The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-11-08
The Duty Of Patriots.


For many weeks past the operations of
the Western Department of the Army
have been seriously obstructed and en-
barrassed BY Geographic and newspaper
war upon its commander. Influential per-
sons in the West having the ear and the
confidence of the Administration have
urged his removal with such zeal, per-
sistency and bodness of assault as has
shaken the confidence of many, and in
volved the people Of the whole country in
the quarrel to very injurious extent
Whatever of political or personal animos-
ity may have mingled in this onslaught,
whether just or unjust, it is clear at all
events that with public opinion SO ex-
cited and SO divided it was hardly posi-
bic for Gen. Fremont to conduct the af-
fairs of the Department with the efficiency
and harmonious unity that might be
hoped and anticipated for General oil
moderate capacity unembarrassed by un.
favorable antecedents.
In this view of the case, however i'll
chosen the exact time, or however ungra.
cious the manner Of the removal of Gen
Fremont from command, the act itself
was probably the best solution of the com.
plicated difficulty within the power of the
President. And accepting the act of hi
removal as emanating from the President
We doubt not that it proceeded from the
most patriotic motives, and was one of thu
most painful occasions Of the exercise O
his constitutional powers which he hal
experienced since his accession TO tn
Presidential Chair. Even if it be clea
to some minds that the President has ere,
in judgment N this case, every patrio
should recognize his duty to the Govern
ment in this critical period and stand BY
it, let the fate or fortune of individuals
high or low, be what il may. The Presi
dent is the Constitutional Executive o
the Government, and has most fearful re
sponsibility on his shoulders in this tryin,
crisis Of our country's fate. His undoubt
ed honesty and patriotism, his unblem
ished integrity and singleness of purpose
his entire and u,selfsh devotion to hi
countrys cause, emitting him to and nc
tually achieving for him in the confidence
and hearts of his countrymen place onl
second TO that Of Washington, demand q
every true lover of the country an earnes
and answering support of his Admins
tration And such support should be al
the more earnest and answering i'm time
of doubt, darkness and trouble like til
present
Fremont has been superseded-wisely O
unwisely matters not 30 far as our dut
and devotion to our country and its Go,
eminent are concerned. Ii that removl
is unfortunate and tends to weaken tn
cause Of the country, then SO much mo,
urgent the demand upon every patri,
to uphold the Government by a cheerfl
acquiescenee in its decision and an earne
effort to aid and strengthen it in its no,
of misfortune If any mans sympathi,
have been excited by what he regards
unjust treatment Of distinguished pa
riot leader Of our armies, let the feelin
which prompt him to sympathise with
injured patriot arouse him to action in
half Of his injured country and in suppe
Of its perplexed and patriotic Presidel
1lackweed's undinbargA Magazine.
The October number Of this month
Magazine, republished in this country
Leonard Scott 4 Coz, of New York, at