Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-09-20

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This BY way Of parenthssis. The chief
difficulty which has to be encountered in
the organisation Of our armies, is the
want Of competent and experienced off,
GERS; nor can this want be supplied from
the regular army, which, after losing 50
many renegsdes 1t the outbreak OF the
rebellion, and placing the remainder in
positions and posts Of Importance, has
mono 70 spare for our volunteer service.
The attempt to supply the demand from
self-eleoted political hacks, aud ambitious
place-seekers has produced the most
disastrous results their management be-
ing in perfect keeping, however, with
their excellent training on the stnmP
and in the bar-room.
Now that we are to have DO more
such commanders, now that we realize
the necessity OF securing better talent
for the management of machinery which
10 so expensive, the failure of which
will be attended with such unhappy
consequences, and 10 view Of the fact
that few men of military preparation
and skill, the result Of public education
and active service, can be procured Jour
wisest and best course is to fix upon a
standard, with which to govern our
selves in the selection from civil life.
First, however, Of course, We should ex
haust the material at our hands, which
comes to us endorsed with all the neces-
sary qualifications.
Let strict inquiry be made as to the
competency of the candidate in the fol-
lowing particulars
LIST. Is he man whom you would
trust in the discharge Of the duties per-
tanning to civil Office, requiring sobrie-
ty, intelligence, promptness and vigor {!
and has he given such attention to the
study of military science as to be &C.
quainted with all the duties Of the SOL
der, both in camp and field.
I'd. Does he possess that peculiar fit
ness for command which is born in some
men, which can never be mistaken by q
correct observer Of human nature and
which is yielded to them with no resist.
ance or displeasure, but cheerfully and
willingly
Sd. Is he actuated in the desire to
hold the position by the love ofpersonal
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and the money it will
put in his pocket, or by genuine mill
tary ambition and love of bis country,
with the determination to sacrifice him
self for her welfare.
If he is the hale fellow vel. met, jolly
Tom. Dick or Harry Of the bar-room or
the tent, send him home to mend his
ways tell him of Bulls Run, of Spring
field, Of mutinies, DISCRIMINATION and
assertions, all in o great degree the con-
sequence Of the soldiers want of faith in
the courage, skill and prudence of their
leaders, and their contempt for, and in
lignation at the listless debauchees who
presumed to command them.
The man entitled to command must be
able to mix freely with his men, cvince
at all times a tender regard for their
welfare, visit them in their quarters, be
frequently seen at the hospital; with words
Of encouragement and comfort must
convince them that he is their friend.
He must attend personally to their
Quartermaster, and see that this officer
does his whole duty; he must not spare
himself on the march when his horse
should carry weary and fainting SOL
der at the camp, he should be the last
to sleep, the first to wake-and in all his
intercourse he must preserve dignity
Of department, which will command re.
spect, and display such skill and intel
ligencc as will begct entire confidence
IN his ability and courage. In word,
his government must be Of that peculiar
kind, strongest when it is felt least.
Is our standard too high ? Better
aim too high than hit too low! At any
rate, give us sober, intelligent men-not
brutal, not profane, not arbitrary, not
d-unkards. Let sobriety be sine qua
non. Write it on the door of the Office
where the applications are made. Let the
qualifications above specified be reach
ed as near as may be; and in proper
ton as they approach the standard, SO
will be the strength, efficiency and sub
ordination of our men-and SO the sue
cess of our arms.
And to this end we pray that those
who shall stand forth in defence of our
Liberties, may adorn the good cause by
mercy, prudence and soberness, to the
glory OF God, and the happiness and
honor Of the American people.
MAYOR OF NEW YoRK.-In regard
to the next Mayor of New York, the
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