The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-09-18
FROM WAsHvNaToN

w EON GobAx MORNlNGf,
FROM WASHINGTON.
Especial Dispatch TO tie Baltimore S.ul
THR WAR OFF1oE-MR. GREELEY AND GEN. STEAD
MAN-THE EDITOR ORIGINATED
CoRREspoNDEScE-CHrEF JUSTICE CHAsE-TEM
PERANCE N WASHINGTON Cow
AN, &c.
WASHINGTON, September l5.-About month agt
d Mr.. Greeley printed an editorial in the Tribune
based on a rumor by the telegraph that Genera
; Steadman had been appointed Secretary of War
In that article Mr.. Greeley says:
"The appointment Of Sieadman as Secretary Of
War, monstrous and ridiculous as it is intrin.
sically, is in psrfect keeping with Mr.. Johnson'i
policy, which is always 70 choose the worst ma
In the country for given position. If he coulG
have found q succe 5sor to Mr.. Stanton more OBJ
noXious to the people, and less worthy of the Office
than Steadman, he World have inevitably chosen
him, but that was impossible. Steadman is the
last man in the United States who ought to be
Secretary Of war;" DC.
| Something over a year ago, when Gen. Stead.
man was named as the then probable successor OF
johnson, copy Of which was retained by the
pers to the President. That friend furnishes your
correspondent with thu following copy:
[Oonfdental.j
OFFICE or THE TRIBUNE,
New York, January 49, 1855.
DEAR SIR: The journalsgenerally say that Mr..
Stanton has tende re d bis rsignation and expects
soon to leave the War Department. Should this
be the case venture to suggest as his successor
Dravest and truest OF our Union volunteers, and a
capable, devoted patriot. Trusting yon are aware
VI ''' ~ HORACE GREELEY.
Hon. A. JOHNSON, President.
AS it is very certain tha General Steadnsn will
again be urged for the pace Of Secretary Of War,
and as it is even more than probable that he may
yet be appointed to that Office, the foregoing edi-
torial and letters become interesting:
1t is stated, upon .appanntly reliable informa-
tion, that Chief Justice Chase has written to tho
President sustaining the civil authorities in the
judicial cases in North Carolina, out Of which arose
the conflict Of authority between General Sickles
and Marshal Goodloe.
Hon. Robert J. Walker is announced for a tenn
perance speech in this city during the coming
week. A regular temperance revival is going on
| here, and many persous Of distinction have re-
nouncsd allegiance 70 king alcohol Temperance
speeches were made to-day, simultaneously. in
Eve different places, and were all largely at
tended.
There is no truth in tn, report telegraphed
hence Yesterday that Hon. Edgar A. Cowan, eI-
Senator from Pennsylvania, has been appointed
Secretary of War. Mr.. Covan does not seek and
would not accept the ofRea.
| Mr.. Calhcot, Revenue Collector OF the Third
District OF New York, was regularly suspended by
the President yesterday upon charge of nliseon-
duct in Office regularly filed in the Treasury De-
partment. W. 8. Andrews, Second Deputy Col
lector, has been appointed 10 succeed Mr.. Oalf
cot. DATA.
The Case OF Gen. Eitz John Porter.
HIS APPEAL. TO THE PREsIDrNT FOR A NEW TRIAL.
The following is the application Of Gen. Fitz
John Porter to the President, asking that his case
be reopened, and 0 new Court Martial ordered:
| New YRK, January IA, 1857.
To His Erceiency ANDREW JoHNsoN, President o.
| SR: beg leave to respectfully represent that
by Court-Martial convenedin Washington City in
1852, was sentenced ito be cashiered, and forever
rendered incapable 81 hiding office ~ under tss+ the m
addition to all the penalties attached to so severe
q sentence, persistent efforts have been made to
fx those arising from The unchanged. crime OF
| treason. Seventeen years OF my life have been
spent in the army OF thu United states-years
covering the active events sf the Mexican war, and
including the opening and nost trying years OF the
| rebellion. :
Intrusted at all times VITA duties of the greatest
responsibilities, frequently performed at the peril
of life, can assert with0ui fear Of denial, that
up to the period of the presentation Of the charges,
no breath OF suspicion had attached itself to re-
putation which it had been es it still is my life g
study to preserve unsulied l feel assured your
Excellency will appreciate the motive that induces
sentation-of the charges to the completion OF the
trial, did it occur to me tha with such record as
my country had generously permitted me TO make,
could by any court be adadged guilty OF w1luily
Of peril end to whose reputation, history. and
weifare was bound by every sentiment of patriot
ISM gratitude and interest.
Conscious OF innocence, feeling that, whatever
differences of opinion might arise upon other
points there would not and could not be any as to
my faithfulness of purpose. / could not bring my
mind to contemplate anv other verdict than that
OF speedy and honorable scquittal.
It Is possible I may hare committed an error,
both as to the Court and myself, in thus assuming
much that should have been set forth. also feel
assured that your EIcelleacy will appreciate the
motive that induces meto make reference to the
events of my life while in my country's service.
The vindication Of my honor alone con.pels me to
do 30 in this paper as in previous one read to
the Court. az
The verdict against me was found January, 1863,
at time Of most unusual excitement. The coun-
try was enyironed with penis; distrust had seized
upon many minds; errors Of great magnitude had
occurred; the press and the forum wed with each
other in responding to great and growing senti-
ment that an example should be had by which
faithlessness or incompetelcy should be promptly
dealt with. May I not nov say with truth that 1t
was my misfortune to be charged and tired at this
to me-most inopportune OF periods
believe it is safe to say that much Of the eTl-
dence adduced against me upon the trial would, ip
the light Of the present ful Inflammation upon the
vital and at that timg necessarily disputed points,
be either entirely changed or materially modihed.
Evidence Of the most important character 70 me
at that time, totally inaccessible to either the
Court or myself is now to be readily obtained and
In form and under circumstances brought to-
eether that admit OF no dispute. Competent and
dsintsrested persons, Including many Of those
who deemed my trial and condemnation Just, now
concur in the completefess Of the vindication
L. ~ koa ry;y
me.
Relying on the justice Of my Government feel
ing assured that with the return Of peace calm
feelings would pravail, and knowing that from the
very nature of the case and the surroundings time
would, however, SLOWLY to my impatient honor,
without complaint the burden Of that sentence.
I have taken the liberty Of inclosing herewith
certain documents from able and intelligent
writer's, which hear upon my case.
It is useless to say more than that they bear
unsolicited contribution 80 far as they 90; and
believe the time is at hand when 1t is my duty to
appeal to my Government for revision Of my
case however nearly such revision comes home
to me and al i hold most sacred in my life.
It is duty I owe also to the hoDcred officers
who bore, testimony in my behalf; 10 my brave
command, whose hiatory has. been imp srishably
written, and to my country thatno stain OF in
Justice should be recorded against her. 60.
MY appeal is to your Excellency to appoint .
court for the purpose Of reconsid the proceed
ings i4 my case, composed, ss trust it may be,
The best talent and most approved patriotism in
the army.
Ihave every reason To believe that, with such q
court now instituted, and with the full testimony
now to be obtained, can obtain the full and
honorable acquittal I know deserve, and which
shall ever seek at the hands of my country.
With high respect,
am your obedient servant,
FITZ JOHN PORTER.
Wilson, John Sherman, Ira Harris, Horace Gree
ley, L. F. G. Foster, N, P. Banks, and A., G..
Curtin - IL.