The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-04-25
PLOTS COMING TO A HEAD.

There is evidently DISK c0mmOtlOn IN
political circles at Washington, and from
what we know we are inclined to think there
ought to be. The Washington correspond
ent of the New York Herald says There
are strong indications of important changes
in the cabinet within few days" And the
Trbune's correspondent, who is on intimate
and confidential terms at the war depart
ment, says 1.-THE rumor is general that
Secretary Stanton has resigned, in conse-
quence of differences of opinion between him
and the president touching the movements
of troops" The plain English of this is that
the president has determined to stop the in
reference of the secretary of war with the
plans and movements of Gen Mcclellan. 1t
should have been done sooner, but it may
not be too late pcw to avert disaster. The
friends of Gen Mcdowell disavow on his part
any connection with the recent changes Of
program in Virginia. The New York Com
mercial Advertiser ,ntimates that Gen Nc
Clellan has sent an earnest protest to the
war department, with request that it may
be filled there, to be seen by his friends,
should disaster overtake him. The Adver-
tiser, which evidently knows more than it
thinks it wise to disclose, also says -
"After Gen Mcclellan left Washington his
well laid plans were wholly disarranged, and
the men on whom he relied for attacking the
rear of the enemy were distributed through
independent commands under Gems Mellow
ell, Banks and Fremont Certainly those
changes seemed inopportune, and it would
have been better had they been deferred un-
til Gen McClellan's triumph was achieved
Whatever the motive on the part of the sec
retary of war for the changes made by his
order, we believe it is now apparent to the
president and others that they periled the
success of the grand movement on to Rich
monC, and the error has been in part cor
rected. some regiments that were held back
from Gen Mcclellan having been sent down
to him. 1t is too late, however, to repair all
the mischief that has been done by the orig
inal Illustration of Gen McClelan's plans
There appears to be plot to prevent Gen
Mcclellan achieving the result of his master
ly strategy of the fall and winter. On this
subject we do not speak unadvisedly, and We
deem it high time that the subject should be
ventilated and thoroughly und ,rstood by the
public"
! Whether Secretary Stanton remains in or
goes out of the cabinet, it is to be hoped
that this tampering with the plans of the
campaign, and thus hazarding the safety Of
! the nation, in order to promote the presiden-
tial prospects Of this or that aspirant, will be
stopped off hand. 1t is Infamous business
1t has been the motive for the venomous war.
fare upon Gen Mcclellan by newspapers and
members of Congress, which is already react
ing with disastrous effect on those who wag-
eG it. Gen Mcclellan is not candidate fol
the presidency. There is no reason to sup
pose that he ever will be. 1t is the mere
possibility that he may become candidate
and that his success in putting down the re-
bellion may make him popular as a candi
date. that these miserable faction plotters are
providing against, too stupid and short
they could contribute more to his politica
success than bv making an unjust persona
war upon him. This had better stop. Il
will damage the men and parties engaged
in it, and ought to. Let Gen Mcclellan
have fair chance, without the annoyance of
treacherous fire in the rear, and let thes,
contemplate partisan squabbles be postpon
ed to safe and peaceful times. The state o
affairs at Yorktown has proved that Gen Nc
Clellan has been right and his enemies wron!
from the first, as to the strength of the enc
my in Virginia and the great difficulties It
he met ard overcome there and in the worl
before him he should have the cordial sym
pathy and support of all loyal men.-Spring
feld Rernblican.