Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-31

Manassas, said that we should either driYe
the rebels from il in a successful battle, or
they would eVacuRte it of their own 40.
cord.
There is 8 sensible abatementin the last
few days In the assaults upon. General
MeClellan., he is in the field aud acting,
and while his opponents must acquiesce in
the Presidents decision to give him a
chance to renew the public faith in his
ability and wisdom, his friends cannot help
feeling that his reputation hangs upon the
fortune Of war. He has certainly so far
tEitied with his own Opportunities as to put
his reputation aud position at the hazard
Of an accident. He cannot stand up under
tatlure-be that failure, even, the result
of no fault Of his own. And herein is his
seVerest selt-crftirism, for no man, public
OF private, has the right to place himself or
let himself be placed where he cannot
stand up before the public against the ac-
cldent OF q single occasion. No man in
America ever had such opportunities as
Gen. Mcclellan. To no man was ever
given so generously or SO fully the public
faith. That, he aud his friends accepted,
treasured, seCreted. They must not CON-
plain now, If the same public exact as im-
Perlously as they gave generously. ara
Gen. FremonTs friends are mngnifying
his mountain department.. in their Joy
at his Reinstatement in command. But
the uninterested public cannot yet see its
extraordinary opportunities. Really, the
c-appointment is no more than an ex-
pertinent of the administratiOn-it is the
granting of a second chance to win dis
function. and will be made great only by
himself. There is great desire, Of
CnnFaR Nf Nha I'D d.
that Fremont should retrieve himself; ma
ny believe he will do so, aud wiring the
Lieutenant Geueralship--the military
prize of the war-from both General Hal
leck and Gen. Mcclellan, now the chief
rivals for the greatest personal glory,
but others are more doubtful, and believe
that he is indebted rather to his anti.sla-
very proclamation than his military man
agement of the campaign in Missouri for
the popular favor which has extorted from
the administration this grant of new
command. Ofhis prowess, OF his indus
try, OF his attachment to country and to
principle, of his ability to fire men with
the enthusiasm which burns in mis- own
heart, have no doubt; but that ho will be
more successful as the leader of an expe-
dttion than the commander of a Depart
ment-as an explorer than n statesman
9SS"S 10 yet IlkeIy 10 pe tue verdict OF CO.
temporary and of history. =I-.ra..
Gen. Banks was at the capital a few DAYS
ago to receive instructions in regard to oc-
cupying with his division the front at Ma.
nassas. he is in good health and spirits
ready for opportunity, but able and will
ing to wait if thereby he eau serve also.
II is the finest test of character-that of
patient waiting, while to others are given
place and opportunity. Gen. Banks de-
scribes his experience with the contra
bands as involving no embarrassment; as
his Division moved forward into Virginia,
the fugtttves moved forward out on either
side OF his column and when professed
slave owners came to his camp to search
for runaways, be convinced them readily
enough that an exploration of the forces
and strength of an army advancing into
an enemy's country was what could never
De properly granted to any stranger.
Nobody is making reputation faster aud
surer now than President Lincoln. When
Congress assembled he was Mt a discount
in both branches, aud many of his old no.
liucal friends treated him with marked
neglect and disCOurtesy. Now all are hast.
entug to do him reverence. His integrity,
his wisdom, his caution, his strength as a
man and statesman ore warmly admitted
on all hands; and he has, more than any
other man in the nation, the respect and
confidence of Congress and people, con-
servatives and radicals, the army and eli
villains. He does not move fast; but be
moves sure and strong. ~