The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-21
he Assaults on General Mcclellan.

ton Of Gen. MCCLELLAN for IA negligent
prosecution of the war, is not now engaged
10 the first of its personal attacks, by any
means. Down to the first of November,
Gen. SCoTT was the object OF their abuse,
as the supposed opponent OF vigorous meas
ures. Gen. HALLECK then came 10 for
abuse of another sort, because OF his "order
number three" forbidding the admission OF
negroes within his army lines. Gen. THOMAS,
the commander at Somerset, because of his
misfortune to be Virginian by birth, was
assailed 10 the most savage manner, and
charged with sympathizing with the rebels,
but his success has put an efiectual stopper
upon ISLANDERS of that character. Gen. G.
F. SMITH, who was 10 command at Padu-
cab, labored for long time under
charges of the most absurd and groundless
character, and his confirmation by the Sem
ate was unjustly delayed thereby. He was
dubbed "Paducah Smith," aud every effort
made to stir up disafection 10 his own com
mand. But be is nobly indicated. His
division performed the severest fighting at
Fort Donelson, and the telegraph says.
"Gen. SMITH led the charge Oh the lower
end of the works, and Was the first inside
the Notifications"
The President has not been exempt. The
sins of the year have been visited on him, by
open censure of his own alleged subservi'
ency to border.State influence, and by Zero
ciOus attacks, that are continued even now,
upon his domestic circle.
But the final concentration of attack is
now the leading General of our army. In
every other case the attacks, as noisy as the
present, have proved to be ill-founded, made
in ignorance, and destined to an early 81.
lence we see no reason for doubling that
the same is the case now.
Among the most dastardIy paragraphs we
have seen, is the following from the Chicago
Tribune of Monday, headed " STONES arrest
makes MCCLELLAN SICK:
The facts brought to light in Gen. Stones
case, and the ne :essary action consequent up
on their discovery, have greatly affected Gen.
Mcclellan, both in body and spirit. Visitors
who called upon him on Monday learned that
he Was confined to his room, with his physician
in attendance, and were consequently exclu
ded.
Coming from any other source, the above
would be taken simply as statement of fact,
but taken in connection with charges that
have repeatedly been made in that journal
against MCCLELLAN, it means much more.
1t means, that MCCLELLAN's sympathles are
altogether with STONE and his alleged
crimes.
But here is another delectable paragraph
from the parent Tribune OF New York:
Gen. Mcclellan remains the senior major
general and titular chief commander in the
armies of the Union. being superior in rank to
every other officer, Gen FemOnt and Gen.
Halleck ranking neat atte' him.
We find the above 10 an article in the
Tribune leyeled at General Mcclellan 1t
almost leads one to suppose that the words
we have itaIicised are the ITibune's reasons
for wishing Mcclellan to be pushed aside.
We respectfully submit, however, that it
really constitutes very powerful argument
why the Government, and loyal people
everywhere, should continue to give General
Mcclellan warm and unqualified support
II Fremont must be McClellan's successor,
in case the latter resigns or is removed from
bis present command, may bis continuance
in his present position be perpetuated until
the war is ended.
The present clamor is mainly devoted to
a steady reiteration of the report that the
President has resumed bis Office of Com
mander-in- Chiei," and that henceforth Nc.
Clellan is only to command the army OF the
Potomac. This, it is affirmed, is the result
of an arrangement which has not been made
public, and of which no evidence is pro-
duced
The ausplcious events OF the past few
days render this favor sb!e moment for
setting up the cry that there has been a
change in the management of the war.
That there has been a change in the admit
istration of the bureau of the department,
is most fortunate fact; but no thinking
man will be misled with the belief that the
events now passing are the fruit of any
policy OF four weeks standing,
The movement of Gen. BURNsI DE, the
victory at Somerset, the reduction of Forts
Henry and Donelson, were but the results
of months of labor, as we'll as these pro-
spective successes at Savannah and at
Springfield. To seize upon the results of
McCLELLAN's patient preparation and com,
prehensive strategy, as proofs Of some new
influence, totally disregarding the severity
of labor devoted to these very objects be-.
fore the change in the department was
thought Of, is a piece of unfairness which
will not impose upon any candid mind.
10 our view, therefore,. when the an
nouncemeDt shall come that Gen. MCCLEL-
Lam is henceforth to give more of bis pres
ence and attention to his immediate COM
mand, it will not be evidence of change 10
the administration of the war. so much as