The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-07-13
DAILY LEADER,
Why Cameron Resigned The Wal Port.
folio.

Why Cameron Resigned the War Port
folio.
A correspondent Of the Chicago Rspu5-
Liean pretends 10 give, on the authority
Of q personal friend of Mr.. Cameron'sf an
explanation of the cause of that gentle
mans resignation of his office IS Secretary
of War. After narraiing the dark condi-
ton of affairs in the spring of '62, the ne
cessity for TIE removal OF Mcclellan, and
alluding 70 the sensation which Mr.. Cam
eron's resignation st that time caused, the
correspondent gives the following account
Of a conversation between Cameron and the
gentleman referred to above:
He remarked at the commencement
%Well s., I suppose you think that either
1 have retired in disgrace or that the Pres
ident has committed q great outrage upon
me-" s. replied that, to tell the truth,
tms was just what he thought and that lie
called to see what possible explanation
the Secretary could give him for his course,
which would remove the bad impression it
had left upon his mind. The Secretary
replied with a smile: @Well- 1 see you
are as badly fooled in this matter IS aoy of
them. But I thought that you, who knew
me 30 we'll, would certainly conclude that
/ never would have left my post under the
circumstances that I have, unless I was
compelled to do SO by some great consider
alton Ofstate which involved the very az
istence of the country. I will, however.
open your eyes to the true condition of At.
faIFr and nhTah hau .naI1 - Lz.n-rD 4
imperative on me to tender my resignation
TO the President, and as absolutely imper-
stive on him TO accept it. You know that |
the time General Mcclellan was called
10 the command of the army, things in q
military view were in q depl1rable condi-
lion Nowhere, except in Western Vim
ginis, had success crowned our arms and,
in fact, nothing had occurred 70 rescue the
country from the slough of dispond into
which it had been cast by the Bull Run
disaster. We we're compelled TO call Nc
.lellan TO the head of the army al q time
when he could dictste his terms, and he
did 30. He stipulated that he
lhould pass upon all appointments and
promotions, and the President and myself
compelled, for the sake of the country
nd It's safety, TO Accede them. Well,
.hings went on, under this rule, from bad
worse, and knowing the conditi IN of af-
and finding no hope in the future, 1
that the only way to save the c~onntry
vas to break the agreement with General
And this I resolved to do st
he sacrifice Of myself Iwentt to the Pres.
deaf q few days ago and said to him, that
hings could rot continue on in this wav;
hat General Mcclellan must be removed
rom the supreme command of the army if
meant to put down the rebellion that
! was g question Of the triumph of the
'outh or the removal Of Mcclellan from
be supreme command. The President :
greed with me in this view of the case.
said "Csmeron how can It be done?
We have passed our words TO him that he
hall have the control of the appointments t
nd We cannot break them replied q
Leave that TO me, Mr.. President, 1 will f.
ut the gordisn knot if l can and unrsyel
: l will resign, and you can appoint
neither to my position But can appoint
mother to my position Can eron,t ssid
e, 'thst would be ruin TO you politically,
not personally? 1 replied that cared
that somebody mnst be sacrificed or
he country lost and 1 had made I'D nv
lind to the consequences of my act. NE
iDcoln replied that he would think the ?
after over, end see me the next dsy.
he nsJt day he saw me as he had prom G
ed said Re had slept over the matter.
had come 70 the conclusion l had d
1t said he would appoint me to the Rus. !
sn Embassy, from which Mr.. CLAY wss ,
,out to return, which would be a proof of .
is entire confidence In mo. I old him <
st lid mo- Van 10 go 10 Russis, but
said l must go in justice TO myself and
at L might resign as soon as I Jaw fit af
1 the acceptance of the mission. We F.
EN- agreed upon my successor, Stanton,
ID 80 have brought Mcclellan back to
9 original position OF matters in the army So
fore our agreement with him. Stanton
fuses TO continue the agreement and Nc :
elan must tske his proper position or re. 1
IN Mr.. s. do you not see that you hsve :
lsJudged me, and that 1 have done the
ly thing l could have done, under the g
'cumstsnces, compatible with the Unions
slfare, dignity, and even the very exist =
&c OF the country? Imsy suffer, but 1
4 glad TO be able to feel that country will n.
saved"