Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-06

command are indefinite. What is included
in " all the troops for the defense of the
Capiial2" As first understood it meant
only the troops that were garrisoning the
forts about the city, and in that the peo-
pie aequiesced. They know that McClel-
Ian is thoroughly educated military man,
one who understands engineering and
fOrtifying as well, probably, any man
in the o. S. Army, and therefore they felt
ct last as if he was in the right place.
In drilling and reviewing the forces
in the forts, and in constructing and COM
plsting fortifcations, there would be ample
scope for the display Of the genius for that
line of operations which he has shown
while in command of the army of the PO-
tomac, and there can be no doubt that the
work would be cOngenial to his spade
and shovel tactics And so the order was
regarded as a judiciOus one, which would
result in good.
But then reports began to come to US
that the terms of the order embraced not
only the troops in the forts, but the entire
Army of Virginia, because they were all
afor the defense of the Capital" We are
telegrsphed from the correspondence Ofthe
N. Y. Herald that Mcclellan was received
With unbounded cheers and enthusiasm as
he rode out to meet the Federal army which
was advancing on Washington, and that
officers and men were wild with delight,
some of them actually shedding tears Of
JOY" at again beholding their beloved
chief" in command. We are in
clined to think that if any tears we're
seen to fall they came from the eyes Of
some gallant brave, who had hoped to go
-- through speedy and decisive campaign,
and we're those Of modification and cha
grin that his hopes of an early return to
his family we're now dampened by the re-
port that the " Young Napoleon" was to be
the head of the army. Then are told
by dispatch TO the Times, that Major
General said that the soldiers demanded
Mcclellan for leader. We do not believe
it, and if we did, it would make but little
difference in the public estimate of the
.r-T man. For we say distinctly that we, from
this distance from the seat Of war, are bet
ter able to take general and comprehen-
- sive view of military commander, and
to Judge Of his caIibre, than private sol
dier in tha ranks. For we are TO judge Of
general as we do Of civilian, by the
criterion Of success If man fails in busi-
ness he is not to be so implicitly trusted
again; if he repeatedly fails, he will not
be trusted at all The successful men are
the leaders, the world over. Judging by
this test, it is so palpable that fool may
read the lesson, that Mcclellan has failed
i'Il -ignObly, repeatedly, disastrOusly failed,
as leader of our armies He was fooled
at Manassas; he was fooled at Yorktown;
months have amply suficcd to take the
measure of the man; he has been weighed
and found wanting
- There are those who still say thathe is
the greatest general in the army, but where
is their proof oft? Rhat has he done2-.
When he took command of the Army Of
the Potomac after the first Bull Run, one
universal shout of appreciation went up
from all the loyal North ifhe has proved
himself great general, why sit thatthree-
Ea8 fourths Of the public have been forced to
change that opinion and now consider him
incompetent The partizans of McClel-
Ian may rail as much as they please
sgainst newspaper generals and "stay-at
home generals" but the popular verdictis
the true one in nine cases out of ten, and
the press but represents the public senti-
ment.
We hope, therefore that Mcclellan is
not placed once more in supreme command
ga1a1f Of the armies in Virginia. Even the most
ardent and determined supporter of that
General can give rs no encouragement for
fsEorable results to flow from such an ar
ranEement. The Herald says of the army
nader Mcclellan, that it now consists of
8HT veterans for the most part, and little
time for reorganization and for the desig-
s nation Of some new general officers will
make it 50 formidable force, in connec-
ton with the new regiments now here, as
to render it doubtful whether the rebels
will dare to advance into Maryland" So
that all it expects is to prevent an advance
into Maryland. That will hardly satisfy
the loyal people of the North.
But II Mcclellan is to be in command
there is one particular in which we shall
be greatly bettered over last year. Gen.
Halleek is the COmmnnder-in-Chief, and
Mcclellan will act under his orders Gen
Halleck understands the necessity for Wig
orously prosecuting the war, and will we
hope and trust, not allow the inactivity Of
any General to interpOse against our
"pushing the enemy to the wall"
The Washington correspondent of the Gin.
sinnati Gazette believes the report of the
death in one Of the recent battles, of the
= rebel cavalry General Stuart, q very bold
and dsshing officer.
George Francis Train is a passenger by
the Marracodata which touched at St.
Johns, n. F., on Thursday on her way to the
United States
The Secretary Of War has decided to
keep the drafted men in separate regiments