Cleveland tri-weekly leader. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1854-1885, 1862-11-11

AS A~gAAeNAA u uAGLAg1@As
Let no man charge US with personal or
political preJ6dFce when. We FejOies over
the accomplishment Of what we have long
desired-the removal of George D. McClel-
Ian from the command Of ths Army Of the
Potomac. We hail the act as one which
bstOkens new vigOrat work at headquAT-
ters-a renewed determination to let no
effO be spared to crush the rebellion in
the shortest possible time. 1t is for the
country, for the Union that we rejoice, and
we now look forward to the coming fall
and winter months with some other antici-
pations than dread uncertainty. Believ-
ing that the removal would have been bet
ter done months ago, we yet acquit the
Administration of any disposition to tam
per with the interests Of the nation. 1t
was q work of great results and Of cores
ponding responsibility, and as the past
cannot be recalled, we will On'y look for
ward to the future. 1t is said that the SOL
diers Of the army are still enthusiastic for
McClellan. Granted: but even that does
not prove his fitness for the place. There
is something to be secured Of even more
Importance than the appreciation Of the
army. 1t is the appreciation Of the nation
at large and of coming history. McClel-
Ian has not achieved what was expected Of
him-what he promised He did not go to
Richmond by way Of Manassas he did
not go by way of Yorktown he did not
make good his promise that all of the rebel
army which crossed into Maryland should
be bagged; he did not destroy that army
after Antietam he did not "push the en-
emy to the wall as ne declared he was go
to do; he did not give to his soldiers the
"short but desperate" campaign he said he
would. In short, after q year and four
months Of command, he and his army are
still on the Potomac, and have only lately
strengthened the guards at the fOrds Of
that river, to prevent another raid entire
ly around their rear. And this is not the
fault of the material of his army. Braver
men than they who fought at Fair Oaks and
Williamsburg, and in the seven days bat
ties, and at Antietam, never handled mus
ket. Whose then is the fault ?
Tho question has been frequently asked,
aWhO will fill his placer That has beer
a secondary matter. In business life, th'
employer first gets rid Of the Incompetent
and imrro7ident employee then looks Out
for his successor. If the right man is no
at hand, then any honest and faithful tenn
porary one fills the place until he dOel
come to hand. In this case, however, w
worthy believe successor is found the frs
time. Burnside has proved his merit, ant
will do to lean upon. But If he, too, SHOULD
grow too slow and cautious, then let him, toe
step aside for another. Better frequen
change than an everlasting inaction.
Il would have bsen better for the Ad
ministratiOn party if this removal hac
been made before the elections. The pso
pie were tired Of the do-nOthing policy
and saw no hope Of fanything better SO lOnl
as Mcclellan was at the head. It was no
strange, therefore, that many of then
should look with something like indifer
ence to the prospect of Democratic sue
cess. But there are also advantages whicl
will accrue from its pOstpOnement unit
after the election. The purpose Of tn
4 Democratic leaders was to bully the Pres
ident into reputation Of all measures saw
those which would be agreeable to the cou
servatives and Democrats. While the Ad
ninistraion party have had faith in tb
firmness of the President, to withstan'
and promptly meet all Of this bullyinl
spirit, they will rejoice that he gives thi
evidence of his being proof against all thei
bluster. He acts upon his good judg
ment; not that of Fernando Wood.
Again, this step is evidence that tn
/ Administration has interpreted the resul
of the elections to be demand for a nor
vigorous prosecution Of the war. The re
bellion must be put down before the nev
regime has opportunity to patch up TEN
porary and dishOnOrable peace upon som,
humiliating compromise.
So then, let US take courage and go for
ward, upholding Abraham Lincoln anC
General Burnside.