National Republican., 1883-01-02
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

rtlcltt-brunt-FOrtcr.
There is not democratic paper in America
which even went upon record against the con
duct of Frrz-JoHN PORTER. There was never
word said against him in confederate papers.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, JAMES A. GARFIELD,
IRWIN MCDOWELL, and men of that stamp
investigated his condu ct, and his punishment
was the result. He is before the people to-day
to request of them verdict against LINCOLN
and GARFIELD. Had the martyrod president
been n stern man, like JACKSON, the man
PORTER would have not only been inves-
tigated, but vigorously prosecuted. On tho
contrary, he was Il big hearted, forgivng man,
and therefore is this man able to come to the
people with specious pleas and sophistry to
secure q verdict against the honorcd dead. lie
is here to smirch the character Of the faithful
generals who saved the national capital from
spuliation. During the weeks intervening
between July 1 and August 30 1862, Nc
DowELL and POPE were anxiously awaiting
tho arrival of the grand army which was en-
camped at Hairison's landing helpless and
powerless because II was throttled by OICCLEL-
Ian and denied the privilege Of marching to
the aid of its comrades and to the rescue Of
the nation. As that splendid army was held
there in absolute impotence by MCCLELLAN,
so was the fifth corps afterward restrained
from coming upon the battlefield where it
was so greatly needed.
We are constantly reminded Of the letter Of
Gen. GRANT and taunted with his opinion, as
was Senator LOGAN on Friday last In re-
sponse TO this we can only say that, as VIC
respect the integrity and sterling good sense
of Gen. GRANT, 1t is our belief that he has
been misled and preiudiced by argument and
sophistry to us unknown. Certain it is that
Gen. GRANT would never have tolerated from
any subordinate the di3obedence Of which
Porter was guilty. Gen. GRANT moved
down the Mississippi, across the Black
river captured Grand Gulf, marched
through the heart Of the state of Missis-
sippi, captured JACKSON, fought the battle
of Champion Hills, aud invested Vicksburg-
all this within the space of five weeks. Be-
tween May and May 81, 1864, he marched
from the Wilderness to Bethesda Church, and
his army kept step to the constant roar of
CNlllOu anu lullII VI HlNohtNlg' i9Nu lllN
quiet soldier was in earnest. 1t is strange
that he, Of all men, could contemplate the
fact that the army Of the Potomac consumed
nearly seven weeks in getting from Harri-
sons Landing to Alexandria, and yet not see
the reasonable animus Of the man who
avowed his intent to :" let Pope get out Of his
scrape." With all due respect to the mill
tary skill and ability of Gen. GRANT, we can
not but consider IL remarkable that these
facts should not have been more noticed by
him. 1t is recorded fact thar this
claimant wrote to President GRANT letter,
in which he states that he was heartily in
sympathy with MCCLELLAN in his plans and
aspirations 1t strikes us that the animus OF
p VTER's conduct can only be understood by
5, Ny of his entire connection with the
army. 1t should not be confined to the few
hours of August 20-3O, 1862 The quality OF
every act is found in the intention. To learn
the intent of PORTER, we must consider his
attitude in the then existing state Of affairs,
MCCLELLAN points with pride to his "inas-
terly retreat" How was il accomplished Z
Simply and solely by the good Judgment and