New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-30
LOGAN AGAINST FIIZ JOHN PORTER.
THE ILLINOIS SENATOR sCsTAINs THE SENTENCE
OF THE COURT MARTIAL.

LOGAN AGAINST FIIZ JOHN PORTER
THE ILLINOIS SENATOR sCsTAINs THE SENTENCE
OF THE COURT MARTIAL
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
WAsHINGroN, Dec. 29.-The oratOrical pounding
administered to Fitz John Porter this afternoon by
Senator Logan made the sentence of the court mar
tial seem mild in comparison. 1t was thrice-told
tale but the earnestness of the speaker and his air
ofthorough conviction gave every statement the in
tcrest of novelty The familiar facts crowded
fast upon each other andcIme with crushing force.
Senator Mcpherson mate one attempt 10 stem the
tide of argument. but his discontinue complete
aud instantaneous.
An audience filing every seat IN the public gall
leTes sa in profound silencs from beginning 10 end
except when a low rumble of irrepreSsiOle applause
swept around the chamber Unless there are facts
to be presented which as yet unknown, or sone-
thing t. be SAID which has not vet
been said in favor of General POrters restoration
it is difficult to understand how any Senator
who values his reputation for consi@tencycan vote
for the pending bill. Senator Logan spoke wItheut
notes and invited me fullest inquiry from any SEN
at0r who wished fuller explanation upon passing
points or who cared toquesOn an' OF the spe skcrs
con lusons. Senator Logan began wth the law
points In the case establishing the fact that the
court martial which tried and convicted General
Porter, legally constituted and had
entire jurisdiction of the case. lie then proved
that the subsequent Boards Of Inquiry were not
constituted according TO law. and That their conclu
sIons could have no legal weglt Whatever. Com
ng to the facts in the case, h showed thar General
Porter received mp ratye orders az $3.50 o'clock OH
the evening of August 20 to we hls corps to po-
sitOn miles distant, and to be there atdaylght
which order ne did not obey nor attempt to obey.
In regard to the possibility OF moving, Senator
pias "a. st,h ln
did not possess when the bill was before the SEM
ate TWO years ago. This was letter from
Colonel Berdan an officer az that tim, of General
Porters corps, but now of the Turkish army. Colo
mel BerIan wrote that, lyilg heard of the. order
to move he called upon General Porter at his tent
and found him in company with General Butter
| field Colonel Berdan made some suggestions look
| ing to the preservation of the one well within the
| hnes of the corps, and to the preparations for
| marching. General Porter made no replY, but Gem
| eral Butterfeld smllingly observed that Colonel
| Berdan was "green." Colonel Berdan went away
| and took steps to have his own command In rcadi-
ness. He started his troops at 3 o'clock
IN the morning and moved them through
| the camp OF General Butterhelds
division TO the main road where h. halted, expect
ing the remaining portions Of the corps. lie waited
IN readiness the remainder OF the night, but no ono
| moved until long afterdayllght. Ihis deYeiopnent
| explained the manncr OF Generals Porter and But
| teItied the night before. They had decided a5
Colonel Berdan believes not t. obey the order of
| General Pope. Senator Logan read portions Of the
| testimony taken under oath by the court martial,
and said he would have 1t published in full part
OF ms argument sustaining every conclusion he
| reached.
the puIp pose of asking if Senator Logan meant 10
say tDat General Grants statement about tne case
| were untrue. senator Logan said that General
Grant had been talking about something IN respect
| 10 which he had no personal know ledge. He
| tLoganl giving the sworn evidence oi men who
SAW aud participated III what they Described Scn-
ator Mcpherson persisted for two or three minutes
M his attempt to chcckmalc Senator Logan with
General Grants name, but beng pursued by the
former closely took refuge IN disclaimer io said
he was not putting forth any opinions OF his own
but was merely quoting those OF General Giant
Senator Logan SAID he was not that kInd of C
statesman. He dId not form his opinions az any
other mau'S bidding. " When you want 10 know
what thInk.' he said, g ask me. When want to
know what Won think, III ask Grant" An Outburst
OF lau. liter followed this Tctort.
At O'Clock Senator Logan gave way for an
executive session, holding the floor to finish to-
morrow.
General Porter has written letter in response
to resolutions passed by the 81 and I'D Massachu-
sctts Regiments and the Sd Battery ass cidtions on
December l3, In which he says:
During dark days that tell OF your endurance and
courage and devotion 10 cOuutrys cause up 10 he
me OF my Ilsnt TO draw my SWORD her defence aud
into the world with ,hc brand OF Cam. fet
that confidence lad repOsed in you ana all of tue
Fntn Corps shown on hoty contcste fields Of oatte
was rcPosed by you IN me, who had never
unnecessarily haTTasscd yOu reca.essly
exposed you to disaser, but who, when duty
demanded, never hcsltatef TO stIl4e with you
tue blow needed toward the aimed
a.. ThoIga socially and pOIcaly 0strAcised by that
Government act severe as 1t was and all tie more
we're undeseryed, iCel that my country de-
mHudrd o. mo II sacrifice greater than tIIt my hGe
many bio ,dy ued, could II with
steadfast iatI that when c passions or the nOur TO
wncn mad been SacriHcrd should nave been camed my
aract "a sOlder and Ia riot would be vind.catcd
That SndicatiOn come aud IN the interval my old
command naS encouraged and sustained mo and aided
IN securing IL.