The Portland daily press., 1862-07-11

Our Commanding Generals.

Our Commanding Generals.
1t is to be lamented that partizan politics
should he allowed in any way to mix with the
great ;.ad pressing questions now calling for
the artiiranlent Of the sword. The hope of
the nation in the present struggle, rests large
ly upon the continued unity of az loyal people.
Anything calculated 10 destroy this unity and
to Introduce distracting elements into the ma
tional councils, should, it seems to us, as far
forth as possible be avoided. After the war is
over, the rebellion crushed, ard peace and I'M
ion restored il men see fit to go into questions
of partizan character, or to discuss men and
things in spirit of severity,-that is another
matter, for which we feel no special concern;
In relation to which we intend to be at liberty
to think, to speak ard to act as the exigen-
cies of the future shall seem to us to require.
At present we would know no differences
among loyal men, but would rather seek to
cheer on every one who has a word to say, a
dollar to bestow, or muscle to use TO secure
and to hasten the success of our common
cause.
We know that we differ from many esteemed
friends In relation to questions of duty, and
the policy that should rule the hour. We be-
lieye that all party spirit should be forgotten;
that the country and its peril should call forth
the united energies of the loyal people of all
the States. II seems to us unwise and impol-
tic to do ought to discourage the brave men
whe are facing death in the field, or to impair
the confidence of our gallant soldiers in the
capacity and skill of their Commanders. When
found incompetent let them be removed by
competent authority.
When storm was raised about Fremont
in Missouri, we never could feel justified in
joining in the general elamor against him, and
though sometimes his case looked badly in the
light of alleged testimony, we did not feel at
liberty to step in between him and the govern
ment, and charge IL with infidelity for contin-
uing him in command When he was relieved
Of his command we did not feel jubilant but
sad, and when he was restored we reioiced
that he had stood the test of scrutiny and come
out unscathed.
When Gen. Banks suffered his cruel repulse
at Winchester, we did not feel called upon to
charge the Government with remissness for
leaving him with so feeble force in a situa-
ton so much exposed. 1t was not our province
to instil into the public mind lack of faith in
the administration.
So, too, when murmurings went forth be-
cause Buel did not sooner reinforce Grant a.
the bloody field of Shiloh, we could not avoid
remembering that during the long preceding
day he was making forced march over roads
rendered soft by incessant rains, arriving at
the Tennessee river at nightfall; and that all
night he was engaged, with limited means Of
transit, in placing his men upon the opposite
side of the river: and when he was further
complained of for not following up the retreat
ing rebels-after hard days fight-we re-
membered that he had marched, worked and
fought f,co Jiu dags qad tse Intervening niqht
aud We could not ignore the fact that even hu-
mar endurance has is limitations
Thea, TOO, where Beauregard escaped from
HallecA, a. Corillth, it did seem that the latter
was not censurable; FOX win an army so bad
ly cut up as he found the troops of Grant and
Bnel, 1t did seem as though he was justified in
feeling his way cautiously, before dashing up
on the fortified positions of Beauregard in his
own chosen strongholds.
And in relation to Mcclellan, we do not be-
lieve-we never have believed-that the Adj
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. in its head or in its depart
ments-was disposed to abandon him, or to
neglect furnishing him with all needlul men
and means. That he has not had sufficiency
of men, we have no doubt, but we apprehend
the facts will show that the Government
has had far less troops in fighting condition
than the public has been accustomed to sup
pose. If Mcclellan has not had men enough,
pray tell us where have been the surplus men
that could have been spared 70 reinforce him?
Nor can We believe that Mcclellan is not no
BILE fellow, an ornament to his profession, and
a credit to his government. We may be mis-
taken, but we have not seen the first evidence
that he does not stand high with the Admins
tration, and enjoy its full confidence; and il
seems to us that in censar.ag him we should
include President Lincoln in the same CEN
sure.
Now is the critical hour in the strife. Great
and momentuous events are pending. The
President and his Generals In the field. need
the prayers and sympathies of all patriotic
men. Letthem be strengthened and not weak
ened. The successes of the last year. and the
wonderful achievements of our army and navy.
should give us courage. Mcclellan is a eau
tious man-perhaps unduly so-but he is a
matches disciplinarian, and of his GOODNESS
and courage he has given ample proofs. He
may lack the Napoleonic dash and fiery zeal.
buthe matches Napoleon in the hold he has up-
on his troops.
God help HMM the terrible struggle in which
he must soon engage. OF his politics we know
nothing-we care nothing. If the country
can be saved we shall not trouble ourself about
the instruments of its salvation When the
war is over it will be time to discuss distract
ing issues. So long as his loyalty is unqnes-
toned, and he is at the head of an army, we
shall not, We dare not, use our pen or our
tongue to his disparagement.
The foregoing has been written, as we could
not allow our position in these matters to be
misunderstood We know that an article of
different tone appeared in our columns yester-
day, written by gentleman whom we highly
esteem personally, and for his excellent quail
ties of head and heart, witt the policy OF which