The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-26
I Presidens Liacoln's " Flying visit" 60
l West Point.

Presidens Liaeoia's "Fiying visis" 70
West Point.
President Lincoln has made his "fying VISIT
to West Point, and has returned to Washing
ton. He has had "a long private conference"
with General Scott, the results of which will no
doubt be developed in good season. to the
satisfaction Of the country. From his own de-
clarations we are assured that the object Of
this journey Of the President was "not to make
/ or upmake any generals now in the army;"
that "there is nothing ct all alarming going
on" and we have the testimony Of General
| Scott that "Mr. Lincoln's visit was not ON &C
count of any disaster, past or expected, and
that he the GENERALLY had no idea Of going TO
Washington again, As tho state Of his health
| would not bear so much labor"
From these positive assurances we can only
conclude that the object of this remarkable
| Presidential visit to West Point was for the
purpose Of confidential consultation with
General Scott in regard to the war, and espe-
cially in reference to late events in the great
valley Of Virginia, and to the present unsatis-
factory state of affairs in that important quar-
that President Lincoln found 1t expedient to
dispense with the presence Of his right hand
man and official military advisor, Mr.. Secre-
tary Stanton. True, tho pressing business Of
the War Office may have rendered it inexpe-
| dent for Mr.. Stanton to leave it even for two
| days at this particular time; but we are rather
| inclined to think that the President left Mr..
Stanton behind because the object of this visit
to General Scott was some all-important in
formation and advice upon military affairs
which only that experienced old soldier could
give, and which might, perhaps, be somewhat
embarrassing to all parties, if given in the
presence of our patriotic Secretary Of War.
We all know that, after the disastrous battle
of Manassas, General Scott frankly confessed
that he had been constrained to do violence to
his own judgment in yielding as he did to the
incessant clamors of the Coward to Rich
mondr abolition faction. He had thus con-
sented to the premature advance of General
Mcdowell. We all know that this same dis
organizing abolition faction, through their
power in Congress and their influence in the
Cabinet, constrained the President himself to
Weld SO far to their demands last February and
March az to inaugurate the grand campaign
projected by General Mcclellan and General
Halleck month before their appointed time,
and to break up the immediate army and de-
partment of General Mcclellan into three
separate armies and departments, and all under
the general direction Of Secretary Of War
who, however jealous and patriotic, had
Never led squadron TO the field,
Nor the divisions VI o battle knew.
That this patriotic zeal of Mr.. Secretary
Stanton without the requisite military know
ledge or discretion, has operated to prolong
this war, we think it needs no labored argu-
ment to prove The late disastrous events in
the valley Of the Shenandoah, the present state
Of confusion prevailing there among our gene
rails and their military movements, and the en-
barrassments which have thus impeded the
movements of General Mcclellan are unques-
tionably due to the breaking up OF his army
and his plans Immediately after the rebel eva
cuation Of Manassas. This event was part of his
programme, in view Of which he had provided
for movement upon Richmond which would
have been sweeping and conclusive, leaving
no predatory rebel columns in his rear. But
this was incomprehensible to our abolition
disorganizers; and hence those military draw
backs, arrangements and plumbers which have
resulted in this visit Of President Lincoln to
General Scott.
The President has realized from rough ex-
perience the superior military wisdom and
sagacity of the old soldier of West Point. The
object is to repair the blunders which have
taI 10 ahar 80
himself and bis successor at Washington under
the pressure of their alb clifton enemies. 1t is
possible. therefore, that among the results of
this visit of the President to West Point we may
not only secure some important changes among
the figures on our side of the military chess
board in Virginia, but some essential modifca-
tions Of the military plans and powers Of the
War Office.
The INSCRIPTIONS, treacherous and hostile
government Of England, and the peculiar neces-
sites OF Louis Napoleon, including cotton. adj
monish us that we can no longer trife with this
rebellion We have no doubt that this view Of
the subject has had its full share Of influence
in this visit of the President to General Scott
| We can no longer afford 10 trife with these
| rebel guerilla bands in the rear of Washing
ton. While General Mcclellan Is preparing for
decisive blow at Richmond they threaten to
assume the proportions Of formidable aggres-
sive army in the Shenandoah valley. They
must be routed and dispersed, and we must re-
occupy that valley without unnecessary delay.
IL for nothing else, to convince the British go
vernment and its organs that this rebellion,
even I'm the rear of Washington has became
IAN obsolete idea"
President Lincoln may not design, from this
visit to West Point, the making or unmaking Of
any general in the army. We ase entirely salts
fed that there is no occasion tor any alarm in
regard to this remarkable journey, but every
innrca.cd L., tho i.,;u