The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-02-04

A dispatch to the New York papers,
dated Boston, Tuesday, Jan 26, says
"The following editorial appeared in
the Evening Traveller to-day, which is
understood to be written, or, at any
rate authorized: by Gen. Banks HIM
self, who arrived in this city from Ncw
York last evening"
THE Editorial.
The recent revelation that an order
was issued from the war department, to
Gen. Banks, just before the fall of
Yicksburg, directing him to repair to
that point and supelsede Gen. Grant
has been male topic for commeat in
newspapers, in all parts Of the country.
1t has been denied by Secretary Sta n g.
ton, and the truth OF the statement has
been called in question by Mr. Dana,
who was assistant secretary Of war at
the time; but, notwithstanding this,
VIC have the assurance that The state.
ment is true.
The reader may ask, if this is so, how
has the fact leaked out now, ard why
was it withheld from the public SO long.
] n answer to this it may be said that
the enemies Of Con. Grant have report
ed something to this effect before, the
matter having been brought to the
knowledge of few army officers at the
time. This has been denied at the war
department, and there are no pape',s on
file there to confirm the truth Of the
report Gen. Grant never heard Of the
story until about four weeks ago. when
one Of his friends called his attention
to it. Gen. Badeau, of his staff, and
congressional friend called on Gen.
Banks, and not only learned that the
story was true, but obtained from him
all the correspondence between himself
ard the war department on tire subject
he having retained his orders, aud
guarded them with the mere care when
he learned that Secretary Stanton had
disposed of the duplicates. The cen
tents ofthcse documents were discussed
at Gen. Grants headquarte -, aud
member Of the staff communicated the
matter to the correspondent OF the NEciC
York Times, who first made 1t public.
1t may tc asked now SECRETARY Stan
ton can deny these facts, but these who
know him best find little Giliculty in
answering it. Perhaps the fact that
they are in the handwriting Of Gen.
Hallcck, and signed by him. viii be
urged as an excuse for his denial but
their contents, when published, and we
presume Gen Grant will publish them
some time, will show that both Secre-
tary Stanton and President Lincoln |
knew what was written and that all was |
written under their direction.
Officers Of the Nineteenth army corps
know Of this correspondence at the
time, and Gen Banks was urged to oh ey
the order, but he vcntured to disregard
it. and the fall of Vickshurg, few days
later, vindicated Gen. Grant, and the |
saw fit to call Gen Banks
to account for his disobedience II C
Kept his own sounsel, knowing that the
publication of the correspondence, or
the fact of its existence prior to tho TO-
cent election, would injure the republi-
can party, and it is only mad public
now by the friends Of ecu. Grant.
Some weeks since, while Secretary
Stanton was talked Of for position in
Grants cabinet, our Washington cor
respondent oppressed the opinion that he
would not lie invited TO such position
and few days later-about the time
Grant obtained this CORES oondcnce-
his friends announced that he proposed
to remain in private life. IF it should
turn out that he took Advantage of his
position as secretary of war to destroy
important public documents, and espe-
cially those which might prevent his
own political prcferment, it will be a
cause for regret to the country that
this determination was not reached
some years ago.
To the Western Associotcd Press.
NEW YORK, Jan. t29.-The Herald
has the following important commupi-
crtion, signed W.:
INV YORK CITY, Jan. %. 1869
Seeing the contradictory statements
published in the papers regarding the
facts, or otherwise, Of an order having
been issued from the war department. to
Gen. Banks, shortly before the fall of