The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-11-14
Removal of General Mcclellan.

The removal of Gen Mcclellan from the
command of the Army of the Potomac will
take the public by surprise, and, We fear, may
give rise to heated discussions and much bit
terness of feeling, which will be intensified
by political prejudiees and hatred. We are
left entirely to conjecture as to the reasons
for this unexpected measure. That they are
weiebtv in the mind of the President We
must take for granted, for with the strong
hold which Mcclellan has upon the army,
his removal upon any frivolous pretext, or
as Welding to external pressure, would not
be justified.
We suppose it may be taken for granted
that the campaign on the Potomac is over
for the season-that the enemy have fallen
back and left the Shenandoah valley to our
undisputed possession. 1t has not termlna-
ted in the utter rout Of the rebels,as has been
earnestly anticipated. and with many, success
is the mt assure of the ability of military
man. The responsibility for this failure to
meet the public expectations is shared by the
President and the commanding general, and
it may be that the former has taken this
means of fixing that responsibility where he
thinks it properly belongs. 1t may be that.
regarding the recent elections as a demand
for more energetic prosecution of the war.
he has determined to inaugurate a new poll
CIV. We should be glad to have assurance
that reconstruction of the cabinet is part
of the new programme, for it cannot be de-
MED that there is very general want of con-
fider e, in the fidelity and capacity of more
&c ha ,,uh
could be brought to believe that the same
honesty of purpose and purity of motive.
the same unselfish patriotism. which have so
endeared the President to the people. gov.
erned the acts of others who are closely con-
nected with the management of military af-
fairs, there would be less complaint of s
want of energy in the prosecution of the
war. and perhaps less apparent reason to
complain of our generals liz the field.
/ 1t would do much to pallia:e the dissatis
faction which the removal Of Mcclellan vii
undoubtedly create, if President Lincoln
would cali to his eounsels our fellow citizen
Major Gen Banks. \ change in the cabinet
which should put him in the War Depart
ment, would be an earnest of a more syste
matte and energetic management of the al
fairs of that important branch of the Govern
ment. and of more vigor in the prosecution
of the war. With the distinguished patri
otism and surprising executive ability o
Gen Banks, our generals could confidently
count at all times upon being seconded by
all the resources at the disposal of the DE
partment. There are other changes which
might be made in the cabinet to the advqn
tage Of the public interests, bu, this is yer,
generally desired.
We need scarcely add that Gen Burnside
will have the entire sympathy of the patrioti
masses in his new and untried position. II
has been faithful over few things" and ha
now been made "ruler over many things.
That he will demonstrate his capacity 70
that most difficult Of all tasks which is com
mtted to mortal man, the command of
large army in the field, We earnestly hope
But the public should not expect too muc
of him. as We believe they have of Mcclellan
nor should they measure his ability en,irel
by the standard of success. If it is true tia
the rebels have retired beyond the Rappa
hammock. there must of necessity be Ion
period Of lnactun on our part. If. irdee,
, there is not an entire change in the plan
r the campaign. which will dwarf the army
the Potomac TO the numbers necessary f
the defense of Washington. We shall loo
with intense interest for some exposition ,
the reasons for the removal of the gener;
commanding, and for development Of
new programme for the more vigorous Pre-,
ecuiiOn of the war tOsfOu TDUruyI