The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-11-24
He saved him

serving of censure. He saved him
self by crushing Porter. Grant also
was prominent and bitter enemy to
Porter. He was one of those who
wouIdnot inyestigate,but jumped at
conclusions and held to them.
Within the last few years he found
it convenient to inquire into all the
circumstances of Porter's conduct
and conviction, and as result, he
lis today the most earnest advocate
of the nation doing official justice to
the wronged general. The people
long ago changed their minds con-
corning Porter'S alleged guilt. Not
withstanding the unfortunate POr-
ter is under the official ban, con
victed of little less than treason, in
the hearts of the people he is a brave,
able and patriotic soldier, honored
respected and an.object of popular
sympathy. When Grant becomes
mot generous, but just, the Con
gress can without humiliation 5e
righteous; and while lit can never,
whatever it may do, heal the wound
that was made twenty years
ago, and pay for the twenty years
OF suffering, it can wipe away a
stain and do much towards repair
ing an injury. which not to repair
Will continue a shame and disgrace
upon the nation. General Grant
closes his article as follows:
General Porter has now .or twenty
years been lab ring under The dissbili-
ties and penalties inflicted upon him by
the cour,.nartial of 1862, all tlst time
contending for restoration 90 his posi-
ton in the army and in society, and al
ways, IS stated in the beginning Of this
article, on the ground Of his entire limo.
cence. The investigation of lie Scho.
field beard has IN my judgmeE. s5tSb-
lished lis innocence Of sill the CT ces
for which he was tried and cony.C 81.
The suffering oftWenty years u2GeT such
findings f.. himself and family and
friends is something il is now impossible
to set right. Twenty years Of the best
part OF his life hsVe been consumed IN
trying to have his name and his raputa-
ton restored before ais country men. I8
his application now before Congress
he l. asking only that he be re-
q. i Ill 81 DO
with he rack that he would
hsye IL he court martial bad never been i
Eeld. Ihis, in my judg 1ent, is very
small part Of Eha5 i l. possible 20 Go IN
this case and s8hat ought 70 be done.
General Porter should, in the way of
partial restitution, be declared by Con-
gress 10 have been convicted on mistaken
testimony, and therefore to have never
been out of the army. This would max
him nsjoT- general OF volunteers uEtil
the cate might be fx51 for his muster
cut of that rank, after which he should
be continued SIS colonel OF infantry and
breVet brigadier.genersl of the United
States army from tie date Of the acI,
when he could be placed On the retired
list with that rank. II q solemn
aud sincere expression of my thorough
understanding OF aud belief in the entire
innocence Of General Porter viii tend
to draw the public mind TO the same cor |
viclion, shall feel abundantly regsrded
for my efforts. 1t will Away be q
pleasure to me IS we'll IS duty TO be
the Instrument 10 the smRll est degree of
setting sight any man who has been
gTieyOusly w.onged, especially if he has
r;skcd his life and reputation in defense
Of his country. 1 feel, as stated On
previous occasion, q double interest in
this. AS general of the army, when 1
might have been instrumental Ia having |
justice done to General Porter, and later |
as PRECEDENT of the United States, when !
/ certainly could have done so, l laboTed
under the impression that he was guilty. /,
Having become better informed, at
once Voluntarily gave, as l have contin-
ued to give,my earnest efforts to impress
the mlRds Of my countrymen with the
justice of this case, end secure from ne
government, as far as it could grant IL,
restitution due to General Fig John Por-
for -