New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-01

cent beyond the standard Of peaceful times; Z"
fortfy ST. Louis in August was 40 imperative
necessity, which could not stop to count 'n'
cost too closely. While we believe in the most
rigid economy. while we hold contractors ana
every body else in the army to the stric'eS'
accountability, We also maintain that eApeoui'
ture in time Of war must be governed by cir-
cumstances, and that these are sometimes such
that n general can no more DO accused Oh
extravaganza who, in given case FPenuS
Ia-pe sum of money, than man who handS
his pocket book to q hgbwoymsn holding q
loaded pistol at his head, can BIO sccu'ed Vi
prodi.alty. Ii is the character OF the service
to be done, its necessity, and its results thS'
must measure the proprety OF the expenditure
When Gen. FremoDt went to st. Ions, DC
entered State and city rampant win treaS'"'
The army with which MS predecessors mao az
Tended them was dispensing like crowd on a
muster field at the end of days tralhne'
Wills an army, not much, if any, less ta'u
~. 900, of stern, determined, and triumphant
men, was rapidly advancing from the oou'n'
HIS own army had yet to be created. la the
mean time, it was possible to do something Tor
the defense of st. Louis by Notifications. 81.
Louis in the hands OF the enemy, and Missouri
vas lost st. Louis, the Washington of the
West, given over to Secession, and treason
would have extended it, ou'Posts from Ten
ne.see and Arkansas. across Kentucky and
Missouri, over the southern borders of the
Free S,.tes themselves. Money The General
would have been indeed incompetent who could
stop to count the cost of ayertiDg such ca
lnmity. Fremont wanted thousands of we'll
ormed and efficient troops to defend 1t. Louis.
They we're not to be had. But the fortiica-
tons were. Gen. Lyon had already f1reseen
this exigency and had lad laid beiore him
plan of the works he proposed to erect. That
plan was made by Col Fiala, gentleman who
had been for many years au engineer
in the Office of the State Surveyor, and
who had surveyed in person every foot OF land
in 81. LOUIS, aud the whole region south OF the
Missouri River. He, with council Of officers,
decided upon the plan and position OF these
fortfcstions, and the contract for their cree
ton was made, not at peace prices, 1t Is true,
but at war prices, when task IS to be done
wl,u. well.nigh impossible time, and when
work never ceases night Dor day till finished.
And il was 40 finished and within the time
needed-fnished in the almost incredibly short
tins Of thirty days. The city was surrounded
by chain Of earthwOTks, supporting each
other, ard ready 10 defy an assault, either
from traitors within or an ENEMY without.
luwardly the great guns commanded the Stfeets
aud buildings of what was sure to become
rcbellious city at the approach OF the ioei ana
outn ardly they could sweep ever road ana
avenue oil approach. a large aud Idle poPu-
laiion. growing ripe for mischief, wers' gwen
emIoymelt, some 5000 Of them at once
saved from hunger and secession; more DANCE
Gus traitors were warned BY the energy OF
this fret act of the new General that he was
a man not TO be fffed with, aud who would
not trfe with them; timid men grew confident
ne the earthworks rose like magic, behind
which they could defy the enemy; and loyal
men eyulted as they dared to hope for u new
and brighter future. The Notifications saved
-. LOUIS, and Ia save st. LOUIS was TO save
the Wet VIII the patriots who open their
foolish eyes at one or two hundred thousand
dollars, without which expenditure st. Lous
would probably have been lost cosD. Us the
cost, had it happened to fall into tbe hands Of
The enemy The assurance at that time that
the city was to be made deiensible, when the
army that might otherwise defend it was not
IN existence, was TO exercise moral influence
over the minds of the people, not only of the
city but of the whole State, which, az such
time, is incalculable. How absolutely neces-
sary it was to do this is shown by the fact
never yet made public-that there were Ger.
tain officers OF the United States Army at that
moment IN ST. Louis, whom Gen. Lyon had
marked TO be put instantly in irons, because
they were known to be disloyal in case of on
attack upon the arsenal. Gen. Fremont was
the successor Of Gen. Lyon, not only in place
but in idea, in regard to st. Louis, though il
suits his defamers now to eXalt the one that
they may debase the other.
So We presume it will be found that every
charge against Gen. Fremont, that touches his
character for integrity or efficiency, will fall
when due examination is given it. He is
made responsible, for instance, for acts of
which ho knew nothing and for which, If
there was anything reprehensible, the Quarter
uiaster-General, McKinstry, appointed by Mr..
Lincoln, was alone Responsible. But even
al II -.