The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-05-29
General Grant al Shiloh

EVANSVILLE JOURNAL was HO- odt-
isfed with the result Of the battle
of Shiloh, and so expressed itself.
It regarded the attack upon the
Union army in the light of surprise,
and thought that proper precautions
against an attack had not been taken.
It is to be expected that the 2riti-
cisms of the Union papers on that
event will be copied by the organs of
the Confederate Democracy, and that
they will attempt to make some polit-
ical capital out of them in small
way. 1t is one of the peculiarities of
Republican papers to dissent from the
action of So called leaders when they
regard those leaders as wrong, and
speak freely of their mistakes when
they believe mistakes have been COM
mitted. We trust these papers will
always have sufficient independence
to express their views plainly on all
subjects, however their criticisms may
affect particular men.
While subsequent developments
have demonstrated the injustice Of
some of the newspaper comments upon
Gen. GRANTS conduct, both before
and during the battle of Shiloh, his
own course and that Of his officers, in
ensuing campaigns. equally prove the
correctness Of some of their com
plants. At no subsequent engage
ment was the Union army ever attack
ed, after remaining at one point any
length Of time, without being defend
ed by entrenchments, rife-pits and
barbados. At Shiloh none of these
preparations had been made. The
lesson taught was a severe one, but
we regard it as one of the best evil
dences of Gen. GRANTS ability, tina
he always profted by the lessons
taught him by experience. He is no
Misunderstanding nothing and for
getting nothing.
There is no denying that General
GRANT was regarded with considera-
bic distrust up to the time that he
broke through the obstacles which
had long kept him out of Vicksburg,
and captured that rebel stronghold.
That event established his general
ship in the minds of everybody at the
time, however it may be sneered at
and questioned by pitiful penny a.
liners now. Since then there have
been no. misgivings in the minds of
the opponents of the rebellion as to
General GRANTS military qualifca-
tions. Not only so, but the people in
all parts Of the country have felt
under additional obligation to Presi-
dent LINCOLN for the frmness with
which he stood by and sustained
him, Notwithstanding the pressure
demanding his removal.
1t is not to be expected that the
rebels or their Northern friends are
pleased with Gen. GRANTS nomina-
ton. 1t will be remembered that Mr..
/ VALLANDIGHAM assured the rebels,
/ through Gen. BRAGG, that if they
held Vicksburg. the Democrats would
carry the Northern elections. But
GRANT captured Vicksburg, and with
its surrender came defeat upon the
Confederate Democracy of the North.
His generalship was equally effective
at both ends of the line
We are satisfied now with GRANTS
generalship, the soundness of his
political principles, and his ability to
discharge the highest civil trusts.
We are satisfied, nay delighted, with
the platform of principles upon which
he has been placed as a Republican
candidate for President, aud we be-
lieve we but express the unanimous
opinion of the Republicans of our
own, and all the. other States, In
making this declaration. IF the Con-
federate Democracy can CLEAN any
comfort from the fact that we have
not always believed that every mill
tary movement of the General was
founded in wisdom and a complete
success, they are welcome to it. We
have not the heart to rob the famish:-
ing Of the few crumbs they chance to
pick up.