Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-12
Zen washineton
Editorial Corrospondence,l
WAsHIssToN, March 8, lsC

bis magnificent army Of $4,000 in a state
sf umAsterly inactivity" for period Of near
iy eiRhtmonths-or rather In a state of being
besiegOd hy the Rebel army ct Manassas
When was in this city last November, the
almost universal feeling amongst all classes
was that Of concurrence in the plans Of Gen.
MoOlellan-ss great was the public confidence
in him. Nov, tits entirely different. From
the men OoCupyins the highest positions in
the government, down TO the modest out
sideFs, all are absolutely fretting With impa-
tence ct the present unheard Of stste of
things. Especially Is this feeling prevalent
among those who hail from the States east of
the AIleghAAies. They are beginning tc see
that the Western troops are demonstrating
that g forward move can be made at this
time Of the year, and that Western troops
are in position to put down the rebellion
themselves, and thus throw the Eastern
troops, now composing the army of the PO-
tomac, into the shade. hear Senators, Mem.
bers Of the House, and others in authority
expressing themselves in a manner not very
complimentary to the slow-and-easy policy
Of Gen. Mcclellan. It is claimed that there
is not an instance in history where two great
armies lay in sight of each other, for 50 long
q period as eight months, without ''dOing
somethinp.D When II Is remembered that
this ''great strategiosl plan" of Gen. Nc
ClelIan has cost the government already over
$sOe, ,OOO, 900, It is not surprising that 1--WE,
the people," who have to foot the bills,
should begin to show some kind Of discOn-
tent at this dS-nOthing policy.
However, If in the course OF human events,
Gen. Mcclellan should do something, and
gain q great victory, we shall have to accept
It on the principle that "it is better late than
never" although 1--WE, the people" shall sl-
ways be of opinion that this victory might
Just as well Is not have been won several
months before, and thus some hundreds ofmil-
lions saved to the National Treasury.
There is almost as much excitement here
amongst Union Members of Congress about
the Senatorial contest in Ohio, as there is at
Columbus. Every man that have heard
speak on the subject, expresses the greatest
surprise that there should be any opposition
among the Union members of the Ohio Leg
stature to the reelection of Mr.. Wade. BE
has the credit ; re Of being the ''old wheel
horse" of the Government in aiding by his
counsel to put down this angodly rebellion.
The story that has been circulated BY some
of Mr.. Wade's conservative enemies-espe-
ciaIly by the so-ealled Republican member
of the House at Columbus, from Cleveland =
that "he Mr.. Wade) has no influence with
the Administration, is treated here with the
greatest contempt by the Union members Of
Congress Mr.. Wade q in consultation fre-
quently with the President and Secretary
stanton upon the conduct of the war, which
fact alone shOWs up the inventive faculties o.
his enemies In telling fslsehoOds.
It is stated also that the silly story that
Mr.. Wade had interlined surreptitously into
a recent act of Congress, clause giving the
President power to build railroads for mill,
tary purposes, IL being used at Columbus
against him. ihe facts in the case are these
The President wanted authority to build, re
pair, and extend railroads for military pur
poses. Accordingly, Mr. Stanton drafted I
bill, sent it to Mr. Wade and requested hin
to use his influence to have it passed by thu
Senate Is soon as possible, as the exigency o
the public sefvice required immediate action
Mr.. Wade did 30, and the bill passed, exactly
as Mr.. Stanton had drawn II, iHterlinsatiOn ant
all. This fact have from Mr.. Wade himself
he also informed me that the President haC
denied explicitly making a contract for build
ing a railroad in Kentucky, or anywherl
else, consequently the report that Mr., Amasr
Stone, Jr., has such a contract, is of cOurs'
untrue.
find the quiet on the bank Of the magni
hcent Potomac Is Just as undisturbed as i
was when was here four months ago. Ise
the same military faces loaRng in the bar
rooms Of the public houses find about tn
same number of army wagons and ambu
lsnces moving about. Everybody says, how
ever, that scmething viii be done in q fev
dsyb-but everybody said the same thin
four months ago. Still, should not be a
all surprised if we should have stirring time
the coming week.
have had the pleasure of meeting on
worthy member Mr.. Riddle, who is in goo
health and spirits. BE occupies deserved;
high position in the House, as gentlems
and faithful representative. His recen
speech in favor Of emancipating the slsves &
rebels is spoken of by those who heard it. a
an extremely eloquent and logical effort an
It was listened to with the greatest attention
BY the House. The Ouyahoga District ma
well be proud Of having a representative VII
Is not tEammelled with any fear Of OEendin
the traitors BY conhscating their slaves.
have met with Nessrs. slade, Champion
French, Smith, STANDARD, and Ballard, VII
are ell in good health. E.O
. An Old Tar.
A Cairo letter says;
'In the crew of one of the gunboats G
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