The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-10-02


Island to-day. when beginning will be
made in presenting the evidence against a
reversal of General Porter's sentence. So
far as the public is as yet able to form
judgment it must rest on the testimony
thus FIR given in the trial, and the whole
weight of the evidence up to this date seems
to prove that General Porter was Improperly
condemned and unjustly sentenced The
counter testimony which remains to be given
may change the aspect of the case; but it is
difficult to conceive how the sentence of
General Porter can be affirmed unless the
witnesses introduced on his side have COM
mitted perjury (Which seems Incredibly,
and unless the known facts of the situa-
ton can be contradicted (Which is i'm
possible). At Genera! Porter's trial the
real nature of the situation Mt the time
of the second battle of Bull Run was
not known. The official reports of the
Confederate officers first disclosed the ac-
tual state of the facts and proved that the
condemnation and sentence of General
We do not see how the testimony produced
at West Point on the Porter side can be
shaken, and unless it can be overthrow it
is clear that the sentence against General
Porter ought to be reversed.
We lay no stress on the shining proofs of
General Porters loyalty previous to Pope's
unfortunate and disgraceful battle. And
yet his previous record creates a strong
presumption that General Porter was not q
traitor. He belongs to q family whose
brilliant deeds in the naval and military
service of the country seemed to furnish q
guarantee Of his fidelity. Noblesse obxige, says
the well known proverb, and it is always fair
to presume that man whose ancestors and
family connections have rendered distin-
guished and honored services to the coun-
try will not disgrace his lineage. General
Porter's personal record was as strongly in
his favor as were the patriotic services of
his family. Graduating with distinction
at West Point in 1S45 the Mexican war fur
nished him with an opportunity to attest
his qualities; and his brilliant participation
in the battles of Cerro Gordo. Contreras,
Molino del Rey, the sieges of Vera Cruz and
Chapultepec and the capture Of the city OF
Mexico, proved his youthful ardor in the
service of his country. He was twice bre-
vetted for merit in Mexican battles, and
after the close Of the Mexican war he
was assigned to duty at West Point, where
he rendered efficient service for five years.
His next active duty was in Kansas during
the troubles there, and in 1857 he was chief
of staff to General Johnston in Utah during
the memorable campaign in the Rocky
Mountains. AT the outbreak of the civil war
he stood so high in the confidence of the gov
eminent that he was sent to inspect and re-
port upon the defences of Charleston harbor,
the critical point at that period. In the
first year of the war Secretary Cameron and
General Scott selected Porter for the i'm
portant duty of protecting the Balti-
more and Harrisburg Railroad from the
Baltimore rioters. His subsequent services
in the State of Pennsylvania, when he
acted on the confidential instructions Of the
government, were of the most Respondent
character For his subsequent brilliant
services in the first Virginia campaign he
was promoted by President Lincoln as
adler general of the regular army. 1t is
contrary to all probability that an officer
! thus approved and thus promoted should
turn traitor to the government. What pos
sible motive could he have had for treach-
cry?
But the strength of General Porter's case
does not rest upon these antecedent i'm
probabilities. That he did not violate his
duty ut the second battle Of Bull Run is
proved by tho conjoint testimony Of
Union and Confederate officers who were
present ut the scene of action and under
can be broken down General Porter is enti-
tied to have his sentence reversed.
General Porter does not seek restoration
to the army. He cannot afford to take any
rank to which he would be entitled by a
reversal of his sentence. All he asks or
aims at is a vindication of his character.
He is unwilling that those who come after
him should be subjected to the unjust re-
proach that they are the descendants of an
officer vino was false to his country in q
great crisis 1t was simply fair that he
should have an opportunity to vindicate
his innocence, and unless the evidence
produced on his side can be invalidated
the stain which has been put upon him
will be wiped out.
A Wonderful Presentment.
The Grand Jury came into court yester-
day with presentment against the Metro