Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-05-29
pADr,y FRIGHTENED SECRETARY

A
The people Of the loyal states, or at least of
those in this section of the country, were great
" startled, on Sunday last, by the demand
made by the Secretary of War tor volunteer
troops to concentrate at Washington for the
defence of the Capital at the earliest possible
moment. The Governor of Vermont could of
course make no response, for there is not q
regiment nor battalion of militia in the State.
The Governor of Maine sent forward regi-
ment Monday, New York sent forward several
among them the famous 7th, and massachusetts,
and Rhode Island set about the work of putting
troops in motion immediately.
A peal of thunder from clear and pleasant
sky could not have produced an effect so pain
fully startling as this call for troops to defend
our national capital. The country had furnish
ed all and more than was wanted of men en-
listed for the war. There was no stint of
means Our armies had won several brilliant
victories and had suffered no serious reverses.
The rebels were chiefly conferred at Richmond
and at Corinth where they were given full en-
ployment and were vigorously pressed by our
ablest generals and our largest armies and al
most every day we had been expecting to hear
of great battles and of corresponding victories
Everything on our side was daily represented
by the telegraph and the press to be going on
swimmingly, and on the side Of the rebels all
was dissension, confusion and decentralization
What then should occur to occasion such call
that for time seemed to frighten men out OF
their proprieties
The gist of the matter is simply this and
nothing more. For some reason unknown to
the public Gen. Banks army Of 25, 900 or more
men, while steadily moving up the valley of the
Shenandoah to the accomplishment Of its orig
inal mission, was suddenly and against his re-
monstrance reduced TO much less than 10000
by the transfer of Gen. Shields division 10 the
army OF Gen Mcdowell. Thus Banks was LETT
with 5000 to 5000 men TO fight "stone-walP'
Jackson, when his full original force was neces-
sary. The result was what might easily
have been foleseen; Banks was compelled to
retreat to save himself, and the enemy, knowing
his weakness, pushed on vigorously until they
recovered the whole valley that three months
had been spent in securing and drove Bank
clear across the Potomac. Then it was thai
and, acting, ostensibly, under the insane ide;
that the whole rebel army at Richmond wa
clese upon Washington, issued his call for i'm
mediate aid With all the Notifications arounc
Washington fully armed and defended by 25,
600 to 10000 men he seems really TO hav
feared that "stone-wall' Jackson, because h
could drive before him an army of less thai
$500 effective men, would make descent upol
Washington and shell if not capture the city .
If Washington is or has been in any DANCE
it arises, in our judgment, wholly in conse
quence of the interference of the brilliant ant
impetuous Secretary OF War with the well ma
tured plans of Gen. Mcclellan. Gen. Frank
Inns division was, by the interposition of tn
President, sent to reinforce Gen. Mcclellan
on requsition of the latter upon the Secretar,
of War for corps TO throw into the enemy
rear at West Point, and the Secretary filed th
gap by drawing upon Gen. Banks where tn
troops were uOluS SH'S'i'o sSiNiSe'
We fully endorse the following from the Bos
ton Journal:
"The Secretary of War has played the Mar
plot in the Virginia campaign until the publ
patience is exhausted, and there is a genera
burst of indignation which can no longer b
restrained. With fussy activity which ha
been mistaken for zeal, and simulated patriot
ism which has coaked unbounded ambition
with all impetuosity which has been mistake
for energy, and twill which has been Gale
by his admirers Napoleonic iirmness--Secrear
Stanton has gradually developed his true char
acter, and is becoming more unpopular tina
his immediate predecessor. Investigation int
his interference with McClelans plans, and hi
management of the campaign on the Potomac
is imperatively demanded. In the name of tn
gallant men who have been summoned fror
their usual avocaions to defend the capita
and the community whose business has bee
temporarily paralyzed by new and unforesee
danger. we call upon the Congressional Con
mittee to undertake the task at once"