The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-02

FREMoNT's CAsE--ITs MscuKvous CoMPLIcA-
TloNs.-The publication of Adjutant General
Thomas secret memoranda on the affairs of
the Western Department, and of General Stones
report on the battle of Balls Bluff, before
they were even read by the President or
the Cabinet, has excited good deal of sur
prise and indignation. The first of these docu-
ments showed on tho face of it that it was
never intended to meet the public eye. 1t is
true that to cover the breach of trust involved
neither in its form nor in its mode of treating
facts, had 1t anything of that character. No
military man of experience and discretion
would dream Of giving place in report
which must ultimately find its way into the
public prints, to the statement of what subor-
dnate officers thought of their general, or to
their convictions as to the necessity for his
removal. Still less would he be likely TO quote
such an opinion as that Of General Sherman
as to the military necessities of kentucky and
the number of troops required to secure the
State from the grasp of the Confederates, see-
ing the account to which the information
would be turned by the latter. The report Of
General Stone made its appearance in con-
dition which showed that it was incomplete
and that its publication was unauthorized. Had
it been given to the press by Gen. Mcclellan
to whom it was addressed, care would have
been taken to have several points cleared up
that were left in doubt by this imperfect nara
tive. The fact that it was read for the first
time by the President and Secretary of State in
the newspaper is of course not very agree
able reflection on the present condition of our
affairs.
The question arises as to the motives for the
abuse of confidence involved in the premature
disclosure OF the contents Of these two docu-
ments, They have evidently been surreptitious-
ly obtained by some Mephistophiles in the War
Department who is intent on throwing FIRE.
monts command into confusion in the face of
the enemy, and in creating suspicion and dis
trust amongst the leaders of the Army Of the
Potomac. It is easy to judge of the effect
which such statements are calculated to pro-
duce amongst Fremont's officers, already snf-
lciently excited by the prospect of his removal
by fierce chickering's and dueis at q time when
harmony Of feeling and action are moro than
ever required.
All these complications would have been
avoided if, when Frcmont's removal had been
decided upon several weeks ago, as first an
nounced by the HERALD, that measure had been
promptly carried out, and some able and ex-
pcrienced officer like General Wool appointed
in his place The President, however, hesitat-
ed and delayed its execution, influenced, it is
to be presumed, by the politicians, who had
their objects to promote by keeping their pet
general in command The fruits of this mis-
taken leniency are now evident, in the further
embarrassments and difficulties into which the
affairs Of the Western Department are likely to
be thrown by the premature publication of
General Thomas statements The only remedy
for these evils is decisive action on the part Of
the President. Let General Fremont be at once
superseded, and with him will be removed the
chief motive for all these intrigues, and the only
obstacle to the successful prosecution Of the
campaign in Missouri.