The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-08-07

The "Carnot" Of the War.
"Let Stanton alone, he is on our side"
was some time ago whispered by the Radi-
Gals business manager, J. w. F., to . Rad
ical friend, who, like all the rest of the
world outside of the cliqueof Radical wire-
pullers, was abusing the Secretary ofWar.
This expression was regarded as signif
cant. II was then whispered. It is now,
openly proclaimed by one of the "two
newspapers, both daily" that the Secretary
of War is the acknowledged representative
of the Radical faction in the Cabinet Of the
President 1t has long been cause Of
wonder to honest people how Mr.. Stanton
could consent to remain in a position
where he was evidently neither wanted nor
needed. This, however, was matter to
be. settled with his own not over.tender
conscience. 1t was long ago suspected,
and, for some time past. It has been known
that he was there only in the capacity Of q
secret detective OF the Radical faction and
worker Of all possible mischief to the Ad-
ministration and the Government.
Mischief, in fact, appears to be the natu-
raj avocation of this "Carnot of the mighty
revolution" His whole career in and out
Of Office has been simply record Of mis-
chievous acts and mischievous advice. He
seems to delight to revel in wrong-doing,
and to find his chiefest pleasure in produ-
cling pain and disaster. When the rebel
lion was only as a little cloud not bigger
than mans hand on the horizon, this new
Carnot clapped his hands with glee, and
welcomed the sign of coming trouble He
was then fresh from the Cabinet of Presi-
dent Buchanan, whose legal adviser he was
when the rebellion was fomented. II will
not be soon forgotten how earnestly he
marshalled John G. Breckenridge in the
way that he was going, and commended his
purpose to engage in the rebellion nor
will it soon cease to be a matter Of historic
record how fervently he babe "God speed"
to Senator Brown as he was leaving the
Senate to join the rebels, and expressed
the deepest sympathy in the cause of the
South, declaring it was fright, and ought
to succeed" ggo IA gaa79
There is a strange affinity that brings to-
gether men Of like principles and purposes.
Mr.. Stanton at that time had an attraction
towards the men who were going South to
destroy the Government. He remained
only to find an affinity here with the men
from the North who would, like him, rule
or ruin the best government ever erected
by men. His whole career has been mark
ed by singal examples of this mischievous
disposition. The tendency Of all his acts,
and even Of all his advice, has been to the
establishment of pure military despotism
While Mr.. Cameron was Secretary of
War, it was proposed that be should be
clothed with despotic powers. The con.
sent of the President and Cabinet was re-
quired by Mr.. Cameron, although he be-
lieved that with such authority he would
be able to bring the war to q successful
termination in few months. The consent
of the Cabinet, or even Of the President,
would not have been sufficient authority,
but, without this support, the then Secre-
tary Of War would not assume the powers
proposed. In the meantime the Repubh-
can party in Congress began to be jealous
Of Mr.. Lincoln. They had already begun
to thrust forward Salmon P. Chase as their
next candidate for the Presidency. Mr..
Lincoln was in favor Of prosecuting the
war for the restoration of the Union. The
leaders Of the Republican party, with the
student of Caesars Commentaries and
Mother Gooss's melodies at their head,
had become anxious only for the safety Of
the Republican party. The war plans Of
Mcclellan were progressing too rapidly for
for them. A Republican vigilance com.
mittee, under the cognomen of a Commit
tee on the Conduct Of the War, had been
organised. 1t had begun to badger Presi.
dent Lincoln, and to hamper the General
in-Chief Of the army. The latter, in his |
distress at this political interference with
his operations, was Induced to consult with !
Mr.. Stanton, who advised him Ito march
his army into Washington and declare him
self dictator" The advice was startling,
but it was not followed.
The next step was the appointment Of
Mr.. Stanton to the War Office. The Con-
gressional Vigilance Committee had mott
fed President Lincoln that on the morrow
Mr.. Cameron must be deposed. This de-
mand implied defeat Of the needed ap-
preparations if not complied with. Tie
Secretary Of the Treasury was in despair.
At late hour Of the night, before the ap.
pointment was made, attention was acct
IDENTIFY called to Mr.. Stanton. Although
be had emphatically declared that he would
not accept any official position in the ad-
ministration Of a Republican President, be
was prevailed upon to accept the War Of
fee.
He had no sooner become installed in
this position than he begun to put into
practice the advise he had given to Nc
Clellan. The despotism which Mr.. Came
ron had modestly declined to exercise
without authority from the President and
his Cabinet, Stanton unhesisatingly as
sumed. He Joined hands with the Repub-
lican Congressional Vigilance Committee.
President Lincoln was ignored. McClel.
Ian was in the way. The Republican Wig
lance Committee did not want him 70
take Richmond. It would have put the
Republican party back twenty years. In
this emergency the new Secretary Of War
came to the rescue. "A personal visit from
the Secretary Of War, under cover Of q
dark, rainy night, and q direct order, COM
PEELED Mcdowell to fall back from bis posi-
ton at Fredericksburg, and allow Stone
wall Jackson to fall upon McC lsllan's I'M
protected right wing, and, by dint Of q su-
|perior rebel force, to drive him to Harri-
sons Landing. Richmond and the 'Repub-
iican party we're saved. This act OF treach-
cry to the army and to the country was the
seal Of the compact between the Secretary
Of War and the Radical factionists 10 Con-
gress. From that moment he has belonged
to them, although the allegiance was kept
secret, until announced authoritatively by