Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-04-24
AT LAST

Fitz John Porter has secured from
Hayes the rchearing of his case which
Grant steadily refused TO grant. Gen
eral Porter was made the victim OF
Republican malevolence during the war
era when the power of the party was
supreme and its conscience withheld
it from no wrong of which only Dem
ocrat would be the victim. The court
martial which dismissed General Porter
from the army for his alleged refusal
TO obey orders Of General Pope, who
was then attempting TO command the
army in Virginia from his "headquar-
ters in the saddle" was organized TO
convict Porter in order to save Pope.
Pope was an ass but pet OF the ad-
minstration, which was seduced by
his gasconade TO believe that he was
the man " justify by his generalship
its dismissal of Mcclellan. Secretary
Stanton wanted very much to find
such man, for so far, the retirement
OF Mcclellan from the chief command
OF the army of tho Potomac had not
resulted beneficially. The failure OF
Pope TO keep the rebels at bay and
the prcclpitate aud disastrous retreat
of his army upon Washington had
been very mortifying to the war Sec.
rotary. A victim was sorely needed
to take the blame of the defeat, and
Fitz John Porter, one Of the corps
commanders, was selected as the most
eligible person for the purpose, being
Democrat and an ardent friend Of
the prescribed commander, Mcclellan.
In those days It was very easy thing
for the Secretary Of War TO organize
court. martial to convict his enemies or
acquit his friends. He had q large
number Of officers from which TO select
bis court, and he had such power in
his hands and such gifts Of good or
evil TO bestow, as TO make it almost
certain that the average officer would
vote as he knew he was wanted to.
The court that tried Mrs.Surratt was led
TO find the horrible verdict which con.
dcmned that innocent woman to death,
with scarcely particle OF evidence to
found IL on; but they were driven 10
it because il was demanded of them.
In tho same way Fitz John Porter was
convicted The cry was raised that
because he was friend of Mcclellan,
he desired Pope's defeat. There was
the flimsicst evidence TO sustain the
charge of willfal disobedience OF his
orders and the administration demon
strated its own belief that II was Pope's
incompetency and not Porter's treach.
cry which defeated him, by removing
Pope from his command. The persist.
ent refusal of Grant TO grant porter's
prayer for rehearing Of the case was
prompted by the knowledge that Por.
ter had been unjustly condemned and
by his willingness that be should re-
main 80. Had he believed him guilty
he would not have refused him the
chance he asked TO- demonstrate his
innocence. Hayes has not inherited
the vindictive feeling Of the last two
administrations against McClellan's
friends, and is willing that justice shall
bc done between Porter and Pope.
Generals SchoAcld, Terry and Getty,
who are appointed 10 rebear tho case,
are good soldiers and men Of high
honor. Their judgment will be re-
ceivcd with confidence by the country,
whether Il vindicates or condemns
Fits John Porter. He could not havo
desired n fairer tribunal Lancdsfsr
intelligence.