Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-01-19
Fit,.John rortcr's Case.

The United States Senate, by vote of 80
to 27, has passed the bill for the relief of
Fitz-John porter, all the Democrats voting
for it, with Senators Hoar Cameron of Penn
sylyania, and Sowell of New Jersey. All the
other Republicans voted against it, In the
House the bill will probably encounter seri-
Gus opposition, but the general belief is that
a majority will be secured, if, in the midst of
other business pressing for attention, the
matter can be brought to vote. Senator
Logan thoroughly believes in Portcr's disloy-
atty, or dsafTcction to use the mildest posi-
bic term, and his speech in the Senate against
this bill was powerful and remarkable one.
The case is an extremely puzzling one. The
following from the Worcester Spy gives as fair
u view of it as can be obtained
THE opinions of General Grant, of the
board of officers who re-examned the case
two years ago, in the light Of much newly
obtained evidence inaccessible at the former
trial, and of many military men who have
studied the subject carefully, seem to be
almost conclusive of the point that General
Porter's acts or omissions did not warrant the
severe sentence. That is to say, his failure
to obey strictly the orders of his superior,
General Pope, may be justified as an exercise
of the discretion which an officer in inferior
command is understood to have, to suspend
or omit the execution of orders from an alb
sent superior which the subordinate com
mander is convinced would not have been
given if his superior had been fully informed
of the situation and circumstances at the
place where the order was 20 be executed.
But this is not the whole ease. There is Mt
least some evidence, enough to convince
many persons who have given attention to
the matter, that General Porter himself did not
know all of the facts whose subsoque discov-
eryserves to excuse his alleged INSTRUMENTATION
and many more are convinced, whether by snf-
fcient evidence or not, that Gen. Porter, eth
erthrough want of confidence in Gen. Pope's
military capacity, which perhaps he could
not help, or personal dislike, which may pos
sibly have been deserved did not give him
that Jealous and cordial support which every
officer owes to his commander that he ex-
pected, and some persons believe hoped for
his defeat and disgrace that he did not re-
spond to his orders so heartily, promptly and
vigorously as he would under like conditions
to those of Gen Mcclellan. His cOrrCepOu-
dence at this period, as well rs the testimony
of officers who then were in communication
with him. affords some evidence that this was
his state of mind and temper, and it is not
strange that, believing this, many believe also
That the facts since ascertalned as to the po-
siton of the enemy and other circumstances,
which serve to excuse or Justify Porter's fail
ure to obey orders, are fortunate accidents,
proving not that his conduct was that of
Jealous and loyal subordinate, but that it did
not in fact contribute to the disasters of
the day. Those who thus believe may admit
that the original judgment of the court martial
was not justified by all the facts now known,
but still contend that it was not undeserved,
and that Porter has no just claim for sympa-
thy or redress"