Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-31

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SdSd - Sbslswtss ststsmsnt with refer
snee to this ofacer IN the correspondence Of the
Chicago Trbuns. The author writes ffom the
field aud bases his statements on his own per
sonal observation,
have said that the news Of General steele's
supersedure was received with surprise, but 1t
was with still greater qualification. The feeling
Of the army was vol expressed by remark
made to me by q cavalry offlcer. "Any change
is for the better" said he. As district COM
u.ander. Gen. Steele IL failure. Twice tried,
he has given satisfaction only to the rebels, who
rank him with Buell. as one Of our ablcst OH
GERS. None deny him fair abilities as field
ofncer, and yet hut few have confidence In him.
His record IL against him, and It Is record
which, In the army Of the Union, brings with
Il neither respect nor esteem. The simple truth
Is that Gen. Steele Is intensely unpopular with
the army, and that his removal from 1t, entirely
and permanently, would he hailed with mex
pressible Joy. Nor Is Il difficult to account for
this state OF feeling. Let me give some Of the
more obvious reasons.
He Is intensely pro-siavery in his feelings.
II Is susceptible Of proof that, under his ad-
minlstration, fugitive slaves have been forclbly
returned TO their rebel masters. Notwithstand-
ing the act Of Congress guaranteeing to persons
Of African descent, employed In the service Of
the United States In any manner, payment at
the rate Of ten dollars per month, he, by pub
lished order, instructed his subordinatcs to
withhold this pay from those who had earned
It, and to hold 1t subject to the claim of their
former mastersl He also rendered Il exceed
ingly difficult to procure clothing for them. and
in consequence, many suffered for the ncccs-
saries of life. | myself know of more than
one who actually died from want and starva-
tion. He has been, and Is, very careful and
tender of rebel property. He holds 1t to be a
sacred thing not to be polluted by the touch Of
Union soldiers. Guarding rebel property is
not yet done with here, and Gen. Steele would
have, US his orders clearly indicate his soldiers
suffer with hunger rather than touch secesh
hog, turkey or chicken. No officer, thus mind
fulof rebel interests, thus proslavery in thought
and deed, can ever be popular with this army
of practical abolitionists.
But this is not all. Under previous CON-
manders, 1t was exceedingly difficult for citi-
zens to obtain passes within our lines. Day
after DAY, / have stood in front of Col. Vande.
ver's headquarters, and seen him turn back to
their homes scores Of hungry citizens who he.
sought him for permission to procure few ol
the bare necessarics OF life. Though harsh,
this policy was productive Of good. 1t kept
spies without our lines and taught the people
something Of the power and strength of the
Government. But with the coming of General
Steele all this was changed. Access to Helena
was rendered as easy as though no war were
raging. The streets swarmed with rebels ours,
sing the Government, whose aid they were com
LIN ~ 70 .,,oo;.no os asroS aS the% % Sor ,h.
would he an Insult. Only a simple affirmation
that their purchases were for their own use
and they were az liberty 10 take home win them
So pn,r.mme,sd was his tratic go essy of sc
cess this town, that on more than one fine
morning have been puzzled, as walked along
and al the bazaars2soldicrs or citizens. Sine,
Gen. German has taken command, am happy
TO say, that the former restrictions have again