The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-07-10


pie statements are all that are needed to con-
vince any unprejudiced mind.
After the battle of Williamsburg, which was
fought on the 9Th of May, McClellan's forces
were within one days march of their present
position, with nothing to prevent an advance
to that point, but retreating enemy. 1t is
plain, therefore, that, after the lapse of two
months, of the best part ofthe season, he has
been driven back to the same point. TheJact
cannot be denied.
In the meantime, the expense has not been
less than thirty millions of dollars and the loss
of men, by sickness, and in the battles of Han
over Court House, Fair Oaks, and the bloody
scenes of last week, cannot be less than twenty
thousand These are mere estimates; but
their substantial accuracy will not be ques-
| toned.
Neither can it be denied that all this terri
BILE loss of life and property has been caused
by his making the York, instead of the James
river the base of his operations This blunder
has been the source of all these disasters; and
| yet there is reason to believe that he persisted
in it, until the President, becomir- satisfied
that Richmond could not be approached from
that direction; consulted Gen. Scott, and then
ordered Mcclellan to change his position. The
army was not only in position where an ad-
vance was impossible; it was liable to be flank
ed on either side, and cut off. A retreat, how
ever hazardous, was the only course left. 1t
could not have been conducted better; but the
necessity, and the fearful loss of blood and
treasure, would all have been saved, ifMcClel-
Ian had gone up the James at first as he is
doing now.
1t is said that he had not men enough; but
he has no more now than at first. 1t is not
pretended that his renforcements any more
than cover his losses. He had all that could
be spared more than ought TO have been, I'M
til Jackson was driven into Richmond.
1t has been said, in excuse for him, that the
Merrimac prevented him from going up the
James; but the dates will show the weakness
of this apology. Norfolk was taken May 9th /:
the Merrimac was blown up Sunday morning,
May 18th; the gunboats Immediately went up
the James, to point ten miles above their
present position, before May 18th; Mcclellan
hA'e eHN"Hg NhNNtSh Juhthiph WIN
division, that had landed at West Point; and
there was absolutely nothing to prevent him
from taking the same position now occupied
by him, with the base of his operations on the
James River. The gunboats had been re-
pulsed at point eight miles from Richmond.
But the river is still 10 be cleared by the land
and the naval forces. There was no obstacle
then, that does not exist now.
We have confined ourselves mainly to
statement of facts, in regard to which there
can be no controyersy,-the bearing of which
no intelligent man can fail to see. 1t has given
us no pleasure TO do this. We would gladly
have omitted it. for the same reasons that keep
most the republican papers silent We once
had high hopes of McClellan and we have
given him our hearty support. We did not
join in the cry against him for his long inaction
at Manassas, though we were led to believe
that his capacity had been altogether over-es>
timated. But when we see that he deliberate
ly took position with his large army two
months ago that he might have known he
would have to abandon; that now, after this
long delay, in the hottest season of the year,
with his forces twice decmated he falls back
in the face of the foe, destroying millions of
dollars worth of supplies and munitions, leav-
ing his dead and wounded on the fatal banks
of the Chickahominy; when we remember
that there are thousands in the North to whom
the topography of the country about Richmond
is familiar, so that he needed not to act in ig-
norance, we believe it is time for the people TO
understand the facts. The silence of the press
can no longer do any good. Too many OF our
brave sons have fallen useless sacrifice, TO al
low silence any longer to be endured 1t is no
small matter after such terrible losses. that all
the work which should have been done in
May, now remains to be done in July We
have no doubt it will be DONE There are able
officers in McClellans army; and the President
himself is directing the general movements
now, as he did at Norfolk But there ought to
be no necessity for him to bear the burden.
Those politicians who have been determined
to make a hero of Mcclellan, in order that
they might use his name two years hence to
overslaugh the present administration. and
bring the pro-slavery democratic party again
into power, have dictated the policy of the
government quite long enough. If their loyal
ty cannot be purchased on any other terms, we
submit that it will be better to let them go
over TO the enemy. Better have a divided
North, if 1t must be so, rather than have it
united on terms that will ruin the country
We cannot afford longer TO fight the rebels fee
bly, with one hand, while We use the other to
protect their property.
Especially, is it true, that we cannot afford
longer to fight against Him who has come in
judgment in answer to the cry of the oppressed
If any lesson can be read in the signs of the
times, it is that the slaves are the only class for
whom Providence is working. Judgment is
written upon Gods dealings with all others :;
delirerdnce upon His dealings with them
The great struggle, upon which world is in
tently looking, is no mere trial of human
strength. fit were, our cause would be hope
less. Unless freedom is to gain by our tri-
umph,-unless our objects are such that the
Invisible Powers, who engage in no earthly
contest but for liberty and humanity, are en-
listed in our behalf, then is our defeat already
written in the book of fate. But if He in whose
! sight the blood of the oppressed is always pre-
cious, into whose ears their cry has entered, is
on our side, our victory, however long delayed,
whether against foreign or domestic foes will
no to ,IxTs