The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-29

The Offended Dignity or General Free
mont and Its Probable Consequences.
General Fremont, at his own request, has
been relieved of his command in the valley OF
Virginia. His reasons for this step, though
very broadly intimated by himself, are more
distinctly set forth by his special organ, the
New York Tribune 1t thus appears that Gen.
Pope having been subordinate officer undor
General Fremont in Missouri, the latter regards
the present appointment Of the former as any
thing but compliment to the senior officer,
who is thus reduced to a subordinate position.
In other words, General Fremont considers
these new military arrangements as involving
not the approval. but the displeasurc, of the
government in reference to his late military
operations in the Shenandoah valley and con-
sequently he retires from his command, under
the pressure of what he deems an insupportable
act of injustice.
We spprehend, however, that General FIRE.
mont, in this matter, has not performed SO
that of the restless and ambitious politician
II we are not mistaken, he was instructed, in
moving across from the Western mountains Of
Virginia to the Shenandoah valley, to strike
into that valley at Rarrisonburg or in that
neighborhood, SO as to head off the upward
fight of Jackson; but instead of doing this
General Fremont struck into the valley some
fifty miles lower down, at Strasburg, and only
to find that Jackson was ahead OF him. We
grant that General Fremont commenced
vigorous pursuit, and, overhauling Jackson
near Harrisonburg, damaged him considerably
in two bloody battles; but still the rebel gene
raj, with the bulk Of his army contrived to
make good his escape. And SO, whatever
blunders may be chargeable to his co-operat-
ing generals from the east, or elsewhere, Gene
raj Fremont could hardly expect to escape the
responsibility of the violation of his orders,
when this violation resulted in the failure Of
his expedition.
The government, upon this offence Of disobe
dience, would have been justified in turning
him at once out of his command and out of the
service; but he was retained, in consideration
of the fact that, although guilty of disregarding
his orders, he had earnestly labOred to achieve
success, and, perhaps, from that other conside-
ration, that the escape of Jackson was due as
much to the blunders of the War Office itself as
to the disobedience of Fremont. The President
has displayed his characteristic magnanimity in
permitting General Fremont to retire from his
command in Virginia without retiring from his
pay and perquisites as major general of the
regular army. 1t is to be hoped, however, that
he will not long consent to eat the bread of
iI1onaoc fhcnnh ho not no afla tn
find an opening in the active field of war equal
to his own valuation of his claims, merits and
capabilities.
Our philosophers of the Tribune, who seem to
regard him, soldier, anti-slavery statesman, phi
lanthropist and philosopher, as something consi-
derably above the ordinary standard Of human
wisdom, are constrained to confess that General
Fremont has made grave mistake in giving
up, at this crisis, the command of his army
corps in the important field of Virginia. We
think the probabilities are that this mistake
Will snelve him as a military leader and as the
favorite Presidential champion of his political
abolition faction. After the expulsion or dis
person of the armed rebel forces of Virginia
we believe there will be very little more to do
W UTllk ILLS ItUcllOu W al cuu, uuu tuut
General Fremont must seek to be reinstated in
active service somewhere in Virginia, and that
very soon, or his chances will be lost for re-
pairing the damages which his military reputa-
ton has lately suffered.
To his emancipation heresies and his political
ambition, and his abolition supporters, he may
attribute his present unfortunate position. If
he would recover from it he must come down,
and without delay, from his lofty pretensions as
politician, and consent to serve in this war
with unquestioning fidelity the cause of the
Union, whether in q superior or subordinate
command. An offer such as this will atone for
his demoralzing example of resigning his CON-
mand, as we may say, in the face of the enemy,
upon question of rank and precedence. Let
him make this offer, and he may perhaps still
recover the ground he has lost; but let him
stand out upon his dignity, and his military and
political prospects are at an end.