Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-09-08
NATIONAL INTELLIGFNCER
GEN. BUELL..

which we copy from the PhiisueiPhia hBe' -
evidently nreparcd by q competent hand, and we
reproduce it not simply as matter due to the just
defence of an officer whose conduct has been sub
ected to much Injurious criticism, but because IN
tsef considered it will be found valuable contri-
bution to the military history Of the period which
Il covers.
1t is known that Gen. Buell. has resigned his
commission in the army. The considerations Of
uty which Induced him to take this step have
cen explained by him in a letter which was pub
ishcd few weeks ago. We cite the essential por-
ton as follows:
perhaps unnecessary to enter into exposition
of the of my supersedure in Tennessee in
the fail Of 1862 suce the particulars though not without
certain value involve interests of my with which
is not my wish to you As far facts are con-
oerned will suffice for the present to that after The
adjournment about the let of May 1868 Of the commits
ion which investigated my campaign correspondence
with the Department confined to a monthly report
made to the Adutsnt General that was waiting the
on of the War Department the proceedings of that
commission that about the first week OF April last
offered command under Gen. Sherman my junior, which
declined; that month later was again offered com
mand under Gen Candy, also my junior which declined
hat sbout three weeks later received notification that
was mustered out Of my rank Major General of Vogn
teers and that the day cent in my resignation
Colonel 10 the AdJutant Generals Department OF Tie
Regular Army
1.-THE impulses of most men would approve my course
this matter, if il rested on other ground than
determination not to acqniesce IN any measure that
would degrade me; but had higher motive than that.
believed that the policy and with which the
beirg prosecuted dlscreditabe To the nation
and stain upon civilization and that they would not
only fall to restore the Union if indeed they had not al
ready rendered restoration impossible but that their
tendency subvert the under which the
country had real zed unexampled prosperity and happ
ness; and to such work could not lend my hand
"While there may have been less of personal
ambition mixed up the movement of secession as there
must generally b. 10 the management Of political Affairs
yet do not doubt that il mainly determined by
honest conviction in the minds OF those who engaged it
that the control of the Government had passed parus
nenty into the hands of sectional party which would
trampe on the political rights Of he South. This appre
tension shared in by very large portion of the peo
pie who did not favor secession and who
for the preservation of the Union that coercve
if tempered by justice and mercy would MT have
estranged them. Under these circumstances the of
mill airy force to put down armed resistance not in
compatible wi restoration Of the Union with Its former
glories and affections provided the means were emp y-d
IN such manner as to convince the people that their
stutional rights would be respected such policy there
fore IN the of force if force must be resorted to- had
the mantle advantage of weakening the power of TIE Re
belon and strengthening the Government
OF the moral force which dignity and justice always lend
authority.
"A policy which recognised these principles was wisely
declared by Congress in the beginning of the and
trom ervent desire for the preservation of the Union
IN which pride Of country and all my interests citizen
conferred not less than from natural impulse gave that
unfortunately 90
often Cheated of It's due effect by the intrusion sectional
ranco and the njudicious Unfathu acts Of sgents of
the Government and when, at the expiration of year.
system OF spoatlon and acknowledgements was ipaugu
rated the cause robbed of it's sancty and success
rendered more. difficult of attainment.
You have, in these few lines, explanation of the
motives OF my conduct while in Command as well
aso the step which after twenty years service
hts closed soldier and broken up the pro-
iessonal habits and associations to which educated
and IN which have passed the larger portion of my life
am very lar from casting unfavorabe reflections upon
The thousands in the service who perhaps, with views
similar TO my own have chosen my course Few 81
Them have been similarly situated and rather commend
the patience with which they have struggled IN posi-
Mons which must otherwise have been filed BY less scru
puous and in which they might soce 6 the
calamities which they yet could not wholly prevent"
The course prescribed to himself by Gen Baell /
in refusing to accept subordinate command under
his military juniors and bis determination TO re-
sign his commission in the army when he felt he
could no longer serve the Government in con,is- |
tency with his view, ii patriotic obligation and of
soldierly homo, have been the subject of much
ammo version in tho public press
1t is no part Of our present purpose to revive
the subject with view to either the condemnation
or the exculpation of Gen. Buell. for his decision
under either of these heads. But, for the purpose
of illustrating the Partially which marks the con-
duct of the Administration in its treatment of
different persons for the same offence, we have
merely to recall to the recollection Of our readers
that within the last feS weeks Gen. Hooker, and
still later Gen. Palmer, in the army of Gen Sher-
man. declined service under their military juniors
without being degraded from their military honors
by an order Of the War Department. One measure of
Of Justice is dealt out to Gen Buell. and another TO
Gen. Hooker The people can draw their own in
fcrences when such sliding scale is employed for
the treatment of the same offence as committed by
different persons
We have seen that Cen Buell. resigned his cam
mission in the army when, with his views, be felt
he could no longer serve his country with useful
ness and honor. For so feeling and so acting ne
has been severely blamed by some critics, But it
is to be remarked that these same critics had no
thirg to say in apprehension of the conduct of
radical antislavcry politician, who, two years
ago, after being clothed with the honors Of Major
Generals command, distinctly notified the Prc,i-
dent that he would not draw his sword in defence
OF the country until the President had adopted
certain civil policy to his liking We allude to
Major Gen. Cassius NJ. Clay our present Minister