The New York herald., 1862-11-11
General McClellan's RemOvRl-The Ad-
ministratioM and tho War.

al right of the President to make or unmako,
displsoe or promote the officers Of either branch
of the public service ct his discretion. He has
only exercised this right In the removal Of Gen.
Mcclellan from the command Of the Army Of
the Potomac; and yet, under all the oircum-
stances Of the case, it is a proceeding we'll cal
culated to excite the public anxiety, if not some
apprehensions, of impending danger.
Granted that General Mcclellan has been
extremely cautious in his movements. be has
still been regarded as perfectly safe. That abso-
lutte confidence Of his army, so essential to
great achievements, which he acquired in the
terrible campaign Of the Richmond peninsula
he retained undimnished to the hour of his re-
call. Nor has doubt been entertained in the
public mind since the battle Of Antietam Of
the complete success Of his movements
in pursuit of tie great rebel army OF
Virginia. Under this feeling Of security,
and when McClellan's headquarters had been
advanced to point on the eastern flank of the
Blue Ridge almost within a days march Of the
headquarters of the rebel army, it is in no way
surprising that his removal has created a pro-
found sensation throughout the land mot unYnin-
gled with fears Of the consequences. Generat
Burnside, who, by seniority in rank, has been
promoted to McClellan's late command, has
shown himself, in every position in which be
has been tried a courageous. energetic and
able officer His operations in North Carolina,
emblazoned with tho victories Of Roanoke
Island Newbern and Fort Macon, have proved
that his qualifications 10 conduct the invasion OF
But the inquiry il naturally suggested: Has the
officer who has been even emiDerEly successful
at the head of an independent srmy Of tweaty-
live thousand men proved thereby his capacity
successfully to handle an army Of Quo hundred
and alty or two hundred thousand men ard
against the ablest. most experienced 9nd most
successful rebel generals, and on ths very
ground Of their greatest achcvcmentsg
We can only answer that Le high qualities OF
q military leader displayed by General Burnside
in North Carolina viii 90 great way to assure
the country OF his capacities to manage trium-
phanly tho great Army OF the Poioasc against
all possible strataqems or combinations of the
enemy. We may safely assume, too, that Gene
raj Mcclellan having been suspended on the
charge of being too slow, General Burnside will
that his policy is Immediate action,
and viii push forward, with all possible de-
spatctl, 10 bring the retiring rebel army, now
under General 10. Johnston, 10 stand before
reaching the forthcaions nj Richmond Wo
expect ,brce or four weeks yet OF good weather
in Virginia for military operations time enough
for General Burnside to march into the rebel
capital for biz winter quarters, II ouly advancing
at the rate OF four or 1--WE miles day. The
main body of the rebel army is supposed 70 be-
at Gordonsylle, and is represented 10 be pre-
raring there. or in that ncighborhood, for y
great and decisive battle. We may therefore
anticipate, before the lapse OF many days, sn
engagement " hch will settle all doubts a. to
tie capabilities Of General Burnside to COM
rand tue Army of tho Potomac.
IL appears, although the main body Of the
rebel forces has moved out Of the Shenandoah
valley to the eastern side Of the Blue Ridge,
that Slonewall Jackson remains behind with
a cor, .darabc detachment, in order 10 dash in
upon the rear of Washington or upon the flank
Of Burnside. az the occasion may offer. But
We presume that this rebel trick Of strategy of
divsriing. by threatening raid, large Union
force to watch the Shenandoah valley, while
Johnston or Jackson, as the case may be. slips
of ia the crisis of great battle in time to re-
lnforce the main rebel army east Of the noun
tains, is trick which, though twics success
- -
repeated the third time. In any event, We accept
the suspension Of General Mcclellan and tho
appointment Of General Burnside to fill his
place az an act which means the active pro
secutlon Of the Virginia campaign To Richmond,
before The rains, SHOWS, frosts, tbaws. aud mud
and water Of Virginia winter shall have again
rendered this achievement impossible till the
return Of the spring.
The administration Il doubtless well informed
"a 20 the strength and movements Of the rebel
army and fully assured that the forces under
General Burnside are equal 10 all the emergcn-
cies Of a vigorous forward movement into the
hear, OF the .Old Dominion" We accordingly
second tho "percmptory" order OF General Hal
leek for an immediate advance upon the enemy,
and hereby notify General Burnside that the
country expects that he win not go into winter
quarters this side Of Richmond. The country,
after this removal Of General Mcclellan a. an
impediment to the vigorous prosecution Of the
war, will also expect the removal Of some other
o,,structions, civil and military, which stand In
the way. The promotion Of General Burnside
may prove to be a step in the right direction
We have faith in his ability TO show that the
confidence Of the President has fallen upon the
proper man, and We shall hopefully await from
him the results Of little active experience
But having commenced the important work o.
setting aside "augsrs that won't BORE" We
would advise the President to go on until, ID
camp and Cabinet, there shall be perfect uuicr
anL bsrnony.