New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-06
GOVERNOR NORTHUMBERLAND TLEWEE.


1t has recently come to public knowledge that
ex Governor Morton is anxious TO make some
atoncment TO General McLewee for the injustice
which, as he now recognizes. that excellent
officer of the National Guard suffered at his
hands. few hours before the expiration OF
his term Governor Morton, acting under the ad-
vice OF others in whose Judgment concerning
military proprieties he naturally put confidence,
abruptly dismissed McLewee. then Inspector
General on his staff. whose own term would
have expired concurrently with the Governors.
and who was about completing an honorable
service OF twenty-five years In the National
Guard The technical reason assigned for that
extraordinary proceeding was that the inspect
or.C}eneral had committed breach OF military
discipline in permitting parts OF his annual re-
mort IN he made public before it had been filed
IN tho Adiutant- { Generals office. The real cause
Of offence 10 his immediate superiOr-which GOV
ernor Morton was also persuaded to regard as
dIsrespectful to himself-was that the severe
structures upon the military administration
which the report contained were thus made pun
lie instead OF being harmlessly Sequestered IN
the archives of the Department. Governor Nor
toms lawful power to dismiss his lnspector-Gen-
eral was commonly admitted though not en-
tirely free from doubt but it was at once felt
that the penalty inflicted for an act which had
been inspired by good motive and was likeiy
TO produce sautary consequences was heavy, II
not cruel As the circumstances became bet
ter known this conviction spread. and before
long the prevailing sense Of the public was that
the value of the service which General Mclewee
had rendered more than offset the fault ror
which he had been condemned and really en-
titled him to an additional measure of public
respect In the report which he was offlcially
required TO make he was in honor bound 10 tell
the truth; nobody doubted then that he had told
II. and nobody has ever attempted to refute his
Statements Moreover. the truth was important,
the people needed 10 know IT, the best interests
Of the National Guard required Its publication
and the fact that the report was never formally
filed in the acknowledgements office, but I'M
properly. If not unlawfuly. suppressed, tended
70 improve General McIewee's position and dis
credit his superiors.
Governor Morton was not severely criticised
for his action in this case He was not ia
millar with military affairs; he was advised how
10 net by those whom he trusted, and if no was
10 do ANYTHING he had 10 do IL Immediately. IN
asmnch rs he was about to retire from office.
II is natural that a man Of his amiable temper
should have deplored the unhappy incident
which marked the close Of his official career,
and that this feeling of regret should have been
followed by selfreproaches on account or the
wrong which he had been instrumental IN doing
10 a gallant and faithful officer. under circum-
stances which prevented him from asking even
for court martial And it is characteristic of
and creditable to Mr.. Morton that he should
have been impelled TO acquaint General Nc
Ipwee with his sentiments and to approach
Governor Black with a plea in his behalf MI
Morton would be glad 10 have the General re-
Quilted as far rs possible. and there is no reason
10 doubt that Governor Black. sympathizng 10
some extent at least with this desire, would be
pleased TO oblge his predecessor. OF course. he
cannot restore tho late Inspector General to the
place from which he was dismissed and which
another now occupies. and he apparently does
not see Just how he can take any suitable and
satisfactory action in the case. We believe that
General McIewees feeling Is that an acknowl-
edgment on the part Of Mr. Morton that his
hasty exercise Of authority had worked substan-
tlal Injustice should be followed by the issue of
an honorable discharge TO General McLewee
Nor does il seem to us that his acceptance Of
the share assigned to him IN such an act of
atonement would subject Mr. Mortons kindly
nature 10 an excessive strain. On the contrary
we think that Il would well cOmpOrt with the
general estimate Of his character and contribute
TO the contentment Of his declining years.