Secretary Smith
called this morning. Said he had just had an interview with Judge-Advocate
Turner, who related a conversation which had taken place between himself (T.)
and Colonel Key, one of Halleck's staff. T. had expressed to K. his surprise
that McClellan had not followed up the victory last week by pursuing the Rebels
and capturing them or cutting them in pieces. That, said K., is not the policy.
Turner asked what, then, was the policy. Key said it was one of exhaustion;
that it would have been impolitic and injudicious to have destroyed the Rebel
army, for that would have ended the contest without any compromise, and it was
the army policy at the right time to compel the opposing forces to adopt a
compromise.1
Smith assures me
that Turner made to him this communication. It is most extraordinary, yet
entirely consistent with current events and what Wilson and others have stated.
While I can hardly give credit to the statement, the facts can be reconciled
with every action or inaction, — with wasted energies, fruitless campaigns, and
barren fights. Smith fully believes it.
Had an impertinent
letter from Senator John P. Hale, who asks for copies of different opinions
given me by the Attorney-General on the subject of appointing midshipmen, and
cautioning me not to disregard the plain language of the law, whatever might be
the opinion of the Attorney-General. Informed Senator Hale that I had the
unofficial advice instead of the official opinion of the law officer of the
Government, given as a patriot and statesman, recommending that the
appointments should be made, whatever might be the preliminary forms rendered
impossible by the anomalous condition of the country; that every person whom I
had consulted — and I had consulted many — concurred in giving similar advice;
that it accorded with my own views, etc., etc.; that I had made the
appointments before receiving his letter indicating, on his part, an opposite
policy.
That he will assail
these appointments I have little doubt, his object being in this instance to
attack the Attorney-General, whom he cannot use, rather than myself, though
willing to assail both provided he can do so successfully. With some humor but
little industry, some qualities as a jester and but few as a statesman, I have
not much respect for this Senatorial buffoon, who has neither application nor
fidelity, who is neither honest nor sincere. Such men are not useful
legislators.
As I write, 9 P.M., a
band of music strikes up on the opposite side of the square, a complimentary
serenade to the President for the Emancipation Proclamation. The document has
been in the main well received, but there is some violent opposition, and the
friends of the measure have made this demonstration to show their approval.
_______________
1 Major John J. Key was summarily called upon
by the President to account for his language, stingingly rebuked, and forthwith
discharged from the service.
SOURCE: Gideon
Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and
Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 146-7
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