Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-08-06
THE PRESIDENT DEFENDED

THE PRESIDENT DEFENDED.
The following article, from the Chicago
Tribune, we commend to the attention of
those who have been ready to assail the Pres
ident, while defending the policy and strategy
of Generals who had less claims upon their
confidence.
The covert allegation in late number of
the New York Times that the President has
thus far conducted the war, in opposition to
the advice OF his Generals, aud that the disas-
ters Of the Virginia campaign were due TO
his intermeddling, is so wholly false that we
wonder how the editor OF that journal, who
ought to have been better informed could
have permitted the charge to have place in
its colums. The truth is, and we should say
to Mr.. Lincoln if he were here, the crowDing
fault Of his Administration has beeu his de-
ference to the opinions of his military advi-
sers. He found himself at the head OF the
GOyernment-the Commander in. Chief of tile
Army and Navy-when this war broke out.
He naturally looked TO the officers subordi-
nate to himself for instruction and advice in
matters purely military. These men, most Of
whom were graduates Of West Point, had no
sympathy with him or bis views. They were
mainly pattisdns Of the South. Forming a
distinct class in Our nationally, separated
from The body Of the people by their depend
ehet on the Government, the lifelong tehufe
Of there offices, aud the nature Of their emz
pUyneht, they we're an Afist0efaey In the
heart Of q Democracy, aud as such wefe the
silent admirers if hut the dHiet supporters OF
the cause 0f the South. Tie President was
thrown into their hands, with his etafaete=
flstie mOdesty aud Hhwilihghess to indulge
~ selfsassefti0h, he permitted them 10 man
age affairs ~ theif own way, generously attfibs
uting when he differed Nitl them, the disa
efeemehl 10 his ignorance aud their superior
/ ;4. IL has at 4,4s han IA ia
'ii do not pretend 20 Know much about hiliz
iafy matters The country knows that | am
not a soldier, that | ana only q lawyer II /
should set Hp my viii ia opposition 90 what
they recommend aud misfortune should toll
low, ! should not have forgiveness for my as
! snfaHgei so they must be permitted 10 50
ahead, There can be no two plans adopted,
Amt as they are or Gnght 10 be experts ia mil
! iiary matters, | must not interfere with their
| plans" This, we say, has been the language
| that he has always held and as much as We
may depreeate its effect in turning over the
army and the country TO the tender mereies
! of the men who are too flvorbly affected to
! our enemies we can but admire the modesty
! aud patriotism, which, IN this crisis, suburdi
mates self 10 considerations affecting the pub
| lie veal, We have an instance 10 show how
! this disposition Of the President has worked >,
! When the Pennsuar campaign was proposed,
| Mr. Lincoln was opposed to IL. His plan was
| for our army to GO ahead in unbroken force
| on the line of the enemy's retreat, and 10
| hasten to Richmond with such speed as it
might be able 10 command This was the OBJ
| yious dictate Of good policy and good seuse.
! But the famous strategy of which we have
! heard so much, was shaken in his face the
decision Of a Council of War was held up be-
fore him, and though he all the while protest
! ed that the movement did not command the
appreciation of his. Judgment, he finally con
! sented that il be made. The result the coun-
| try knows. Once more When his patience
was exhausted by the long delay of Gen Nc
| Clelan before Manassas he ordered forward
| movement, not only once but three several
| times. That was Lincoln and the expression
Of his military notions. But strategy came
once more into play; one excuse after auoth.
or was alleged aud at last the cOmmand, For
ward March was recalled, aud Richmond is
| not taken yet.
| We state these things not to assail others,
| but to vindicate the President, who is nomi-
nally responsible for the misiaps that have oc-
| Cured. He, we believe, is in favor of action.
of earnestness, Of celebrity. Were he to trust
to his own sound judgment and cease TO be
| governed by the advice of men WHO have thus
| guided to betray, victory would perch on our
banners. And we trust that the day is not iar
of in which be will vindiedte himself aud be-
come in reality what be is officially the Com.
mander.in Chief Of our forces on land aud at
sea. But as long as he yields to ''straiegy'
which proves to be only folly, as long as he
| waits preparation that has no results, aud n,
| long as he trusts men who do not know wheth.
or they want to fight or not. just so long may
wo look for fepetitious Of what has already
occurred.