The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-06-18

General Mcclellan aud the sswsPaPers.
Some Of our Republican contemporaries have
for long time past, been indulging in structures
upon the conduc. of General Mcclellan.
He has been ssssiled by some, without sim
or mercy. a. wanting in all the Qualification;
which make good General, and a. Totally un6
TO lead the Unicn Armies in the dreadful var il
which Our Government is engaged
He is accused of inactivity. of imbecility, o.
inhunanity, OF gross want Of foresight, of IN.
psrdsnable laundering and ve have seen the
charge broadly limited, that be 10 wanting il
good faith % the cause Of the Union.
Prominent among these accusers is the Detroit
Advertiser.
Scarcely can an issue Of that paper within the
last six months be found, which does not contain
one or more articles. rejecting more or less se-
verely, upon the conduct Of George B. AcClel.
Ian as a General and a nan. He has become
the standing topic OF discussion With that paper,
and IT another subject is by accident preached,
the editor, before he gets through with il, trav-
els out Ut his way, dgresses, in order that he
may drag in, and hold up to public gaze, the
short comings of General Mcclellan
We like the Detroit Adyertiser. We have
been reader OF it, more or less, for the last
eighteen years, and We regret to differ with il,
"~-,nus VIC must vc permitted IN all kindness, but
in oil plainess OF speech, TO say, that ne thin.
its persistent warfare upon General Mcclellan is,
at least, in bad taste, and ds,astsu to the great
majority Of its readers.
We think that it is a virtual accusation and ar.
raignment OF the President and his Cabinet. II
General Mcclellan is either the stupid bockhead
or the consumInate knave which the Adcertis.y
accuses him OF being, they no retain him il. hi.
position alter knowing his character, iii is pre-
sumed they all take the Ad.ertiser,) can b.. bu,
little short of either knavcs or fools.
The advertiser Processes to sustain the Al.
ministraiion, and yet attacks it in vital popt
II accuses 1t OF retaining in the most impeyta.s
military office in the Government, a, the most
critical time in our Nations history, a man. yho
taking It's statements for truth, is either a COW
ard, knave, or toe, aud by whose cOwardice
knavsry, or folly, the nation 10 in DANGER ur less
saved by some lucky accident, Of utter ship wreck
and ruin
Now We think this all wrong. We think this
very questionable support Of the Admini.tra
ton, from which it will pray to be delivered.
The Administration is composed Of as able
men as The country produces. In Abraham Lin
coin and in Edwin N. Stanton, upon whom chief
y, the responsibility for the war is imposed, we
he. mn ian m
without doubt, doing every thiug. and have done
everything, that the circumstances surrounding
them would permit. to bring the country speed
lily and safely out of this dreadful war, and true
patriotism requires that they, and the Generals
under them, shall be sustained and their hands
held up, by the people and the press. Calm and
dignfed comment upou ;he political conduct Of
any Of them, is admissible and even commends-
bic, but We doubt very much, the utility or pro-
Priety Of civilian criticism upon military maneu.
vres. When il degeRerates into downright
fault finding and censure, We think it damaging
TO the Administration, and unbeconing those
Who indulge in it.
We are not the apologst Of General McClel.
Ian. We do not think he needs one. We are
not aware Of any great blunder which he has
committed, Of any want OF energy or activity Of
which he has been guilty, or that he 10 guilty Of
any Of the charges which are % fippantly
brought against him.
We contess that We are not competent as q
judge Of his conduct, but We believe that the
President and Secretary Of War, and his brother
Generals in the field, are the best judges and if
he had been obnoxious TO censure, he would ere
thia have received it from them.
We think his best indicators are his men,
who have been with him OH the Potomac, and
who are now with him before Richmand, Of
whom, out Of raw recruits, he has made the best
soldiers in the world, who delight 70 drill, and
march, and fight under his command, and who
pay to him an intelligent homage, such a. is paid
to no other Genera, in the field, except perhaps
the gallant Fremont
For ourseE, ne prefer the opinions aud judg-
meat Of men versed in military matters, and
who are upon the ground in person, to the tul
Mutations Of editors from their sanctums. Edi-
tors may be very good judges OF the quality Of
moral and political actions. We think We are
Rus in our opinion, We are poorly qualified to
criticise or pass sentence upon military msneu.
VEN. We are but indifferent Generals. The
less We say upon subjects which We do lot I'm.
dsrstaad, the better will We appear in the eyes
Of our Intelligent readers.