Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-02-18

The case is similar to that of the minister of
religion who serves at the altar, and who is
wholly unworthy of doing so. We know that
his unworthness does not dctract at all from
the virtue or efficacy of his ministraton so far
as it concerns the person who receives it. So,
in like manner, an order from the Secretary of
War, when once given whether emanating from
the President or not, would be considered bind
ing upon the persons to whom given; but STILL
it would be very much better and more Consti-
tutional that the order should come from the
President. For, by allowing the Secretary to
act without consulting the President, or with
out observing those forms which bind his con-
science to consult him he would soon come to
exercise an authority which would be indepcnd-
ent of that of the President. That is, there
would be a different head to the army from that
which is prescribed by the Constitution.
Military authority is of so grave character
that its delegation cannot be too guarded. Once
permit facility in its delegation, unchecked by
form ceremony, or sense OF propriety, but on
the contrary, stimulated and wdened by the
indecent rage of political intemperance, and
there would be no end to its delegation. 1t
would readily descend in the scae-be easily
communicated from one to another without
even the restriction Of power of attorney, un-
til at last our military authority would become
a sort of monster, with as many heads as the
hydra itself.
II the present system continues-if the civil
ian Of only four years continuance in office is
allowdd TO exercise military command of the
army, then the character of the army must be-
come wholly changed. Already are officers COM
PEELED to submit to many things that are opposed
to the principles and proprioties of their pro-
fession. They must either submit or give up
their commissions, their condition and habits of
life. And such reconsideration towards the ar
my has been shown more, perhaps, by Secreta-
ries from the slaveholdng section of the country
than from any other-a class of functionaries
above all others who should abstain from such
a course, inasmuch as the chief argument in the
advocacy of their peculiar institution is that the
abolition of the institution would suddenly
change the condition and long radicated habits
of life of those with whom the institution has
become established.
Pay alone is not the only consideration which
an officer has right to expect for his services.
If the affairs of life were reduced to a mere
matter of dollars and cents, society would soon
become reduced to a state of brutalizaton and
anarchy. Nor is mere pertormatory service a.
lone the service which a Government should
expect from its officers. 1t must expect loyalty
and devotion. But these are qualities which
cannot be had for money; they can be secured
vice on broad national grounds, by fair. just and
respectful treatment-a treatment which cannot
possibly be shown towards officers so long as
they are liable to be turned over every four
years to the command of some loose unprinci-
Piled civilian, filed with the presumption of ig-
noIance and conceit who knows nothing of the
military profession, regarding it. perhaps, as
mere instrument of power, luckily fallen to him
self to be used for some political end.
Nothing certainly. could be more Just, prop
er and necessary, than that an army should
have for its commander some one who is par
tcularly acquainted with its service and its du-
ties-that it should have, at least as day sman
some one who, from long connection with it,
has practical knowledge of its character, its
wants and its necessities. And such is the case
| with every army of the civilized world except
/ ours The officer who nominally holds the po
sltion of commanding General of our army ha:
| won that position and the respect and confidence
| of the army by every title that can give respect
and confidence. The history of his life is inter.
woven in glorious deeds with the history of his
| country, like shining threads of gold with silk
clothing our national character, as it were, with
| rich brocade in every way becoming its honor
and dignity among the nations of the earth
and yet, he is set aside by our modern Secreta
ries as thing Of naught, or at most, as ar
| object of marked disparagement and huma
tion. The Younger officers of the army are thu,
taught that if they would look for favor and
/ promotion, they must seek il from a political
Secretary of War, rather than from the glorious
lead and example of such military hero as this
| They may expect more by leaving their posts
deegating themselves to Washington on the
| political affairs of the nation-if not even b,
entering into corrupt speculations in Govern
ment property-than by Jealous pursuit O
their professional duties
The reader can judge how long the army
would be likely to preserve its military charac
ter under such teaching as this. And yet, it i.
alone in its military capacity that the army car
be of any use to the country. Destroy that
and it ceases to be means of national conser
vation and strength, and becomes an instrument
of decentralization, degeneracy and decay.