Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-07-26
From The Louisville Journal.l
PItiful Persecution.

Our readers are aware that the Admins
tration has dismissed Col. Bowman from the
post of Commandant at West Point because
he declined to refuse at the Administra-
tion's behest to permit Gen. Mcclellan. to
deliver the Grafton on the recent occasion
of the dedication of the Battle Monument.
The dismissal is exciting general attention,
and as general execration: "Who," says
the Boston Courier, lis Col. Bowman? A
veteran officer of the regular force, who
entered the army as long ago as 1926, who
has seen much service in which he was dis
tinguished, and whose appointment to his
responsible position, before such appoint
ments became mere matter OF party favor
itism, affords pledge of his character and
ability. Why was he removed? Because
he declined to interfere with the arrange
ments already completed by the West Point
Association for the delivery of the Grafton
at the conservation of the Battle Monu-
ment; matter in which he had no author
ity to interfere, but which made no differ
ence with an Administration habitually
disregarding laws and principles and the
decencies Of civilized life. Gen. Cullum,
employed in the War Department, went to
West Point to try to induce Col. Bowman
to act the degrading part indicated by Mr..
Stanton" ''Ihe public indignation" says
the New York Herald, "at the shameful act
of Secretary Stanton in removing Lieut.
Col. Bowman from command at West Point,
because he allowed Gen. Mcclellan to de-
liver an Grafton there at the recent dedica-
ton of the West Point monument to our
fallen brave, continues to increase. Wenow
learn that Lieut.-Col. Bowman was in no
way responsible for the invitation to Nc
Clellan. A regular association had been
formed to erect the monument, and McClel-
Ian was invited by this association. Lieut.
Col. Bowman had no more to do with it
than any other member. When he learned
that the Administration objected to McClel-
Ian he could not have stopped the oration,
even had he desired to do so; for Mcclellan
had already signitied his acceptance Of the
invitation. We see, therefore, that Mr..
Stanton's action in the matter is as unjust
to Lieut.-Col. Bowman as it is in every way
despicable and contemplate. No Secretary
but Stanton could have done such mean
deed, and no Administration but the pres
ent would have allowed it to be done. Per-
| haps, however, President Lincoln did not
! know of it at the time. 1t is a charity to
think that he did not. But he certainly
knows of 1t now, and yet he permits Stanton
"a man without any soul-to remain II
his Cabinet. We tell the Administration
that the masses of the people will never
| rest c0ntented until THIS mean prosecutor
of patriotic general shall be revenged by
his elevation to the highest possible office
Mcclellan is the senior Major-General Of
the United States army, and, as such, was
entitled to the honor of delivering the West
Point grafton. The splendid eloquence and
pre-eminent patriotism of his address Oh
that occasion are the best Qualifications O.
his selection. Long after Stanton and his
other defamers are completely lost in obscu'
rity the name of Gen. Mcclellan will re-
main as dear to the hearts of his country
men as it is at present" Yes, and ever
much dearer, if we do not greatly mistake
the mission of the gifted young hero ant
patriot.