The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-08
By THE MAILS.
Affairs In Washington.
WAsHISoTos, May 8, lS47.

WAsHiSoroS, May 6, ls47.
The .aymy-Milftory .appointments-TAe Lieutenant
Gsnsroiship- Promotion from the Ranks-.9ppoint
went Of Civihans.
There L. awkward fact daily being developed In
the return from the of of volunteersofoers
and menwhose terms of service have expiredand that
Is feeling prevails among the officers and men in the
army that services have not been duly appreciated
md rewarded by the President Injudcous selections
for military appointments have been the besetting sin
Of MIR Folks administration. 1t would II
continued haucination had on this subject oppressed
the Presidents otherwise well balanced judgment The
scheme place Mr. Benton at the head of the army in
Mexico to which must say the President yielded with
reluctance and which met with cordial assent from
member of the cabinet but one, proved most unfortu
nate in it's inception and results 1t sadly weakened the
administration party, divided that party the
question Of its expediency and 1t wore 80 much the
popularity Of the administration every member
which the odium of Its connection indscrimnate
J thrown And after the measure had been rejected in
both of Congress by three ourths vote, II
again pressed for adoption in another shape with per-
tnacity that rendered its ultimate failure the more
mortifyng to its orignators.
Another just cause of discomfort prevails In our vol
unteer army Of talent and education serve AZ pri
yate soldiers The objection to from the ranks
which obtains in European armies, the staple of which
js composed chiefly OF the uneducated class cannot
therefore prevail in army where the private is often
talented and as highly educated as the colonel In
every engagement since the commencement Of the
private soldiers have distinguished themselves for cool
ness persevering endurance and bravery far beyond
that exhibited by many officers. The Ohio regiment at
Monterey, and the Mssissippans, at Buena VISTA exh
bted instances Of galantry never surpassed And yet
believe but two three certainly not more than half
n dozen have been promoted from the ranks to be
company officers during this entire war. The majority
of volunteers do not from the seductive allure
mens Of dollars month yet are they led
by the uncertain hope of possible futurty OF In
the centre OF western paradise OF hundred and
sixty acres Of land. Our people are fond Of military
glory and they expect they have right to expect
dstncton as the reward Of valor. That expectation
mas neen disappointed and there Is fear that
the mower oil the army in the field, out with
toii, ana naturally dissatisfied with their treatment,
VIII eaVe as soon IA their present service shall
expire Ihese men, mingling with their
viii dampen the ardor Of those who will he rcoured 10
take their place in the field thus will ho found
necessary TO MI up the ranks army with
lively worthless soldiers There Ia everv son ,p
prehend that this will be the consequence of Tho
tenn hitherto pursued. " ' ey'-
There is yet another evil the se,ec,,ou H..
high military appointments Of men whose ~
recomme ndations consist in political services TN.
Is very wrong The fate OF n campaign nav ~, ar
depend upon the skill, experience and Judgment ~
general Of brigade, and to appoint TO such a sta
ton simply because he has made speech favor Of IN.
war absolute trihing with the lives Of soldiers
and the fate Of the campaign. Would II not be more
consonant with justice to make such appointment
from among the tried field officers who have behaved
calamity at Monterey and Buena VISTA at either 1t
IL really discoursging TO who have fought calamity