Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-06-13
MILITARY APPOINTMENTS.

MILITARY APPOINTMENTS.
Something more than large and well-equip-
ped army is necessary TO success in military
operations. 1t is indeed of the highest i'm
portance to have a large force, thoroughly dis
tiplined and well supplied But the most
splendid army that can be organized will soon
go TO ruin if led by coward or a blockhead.
Therefore, those in any way responsible for
the organization of the federal troops 10 be
employed in putting down rebellion should
remember this fact, and take proper account
of it. They should be as careful TO secure the
best officers as to collect companies and regi
ments. 1t is doing the work of the rebels for
them to allow incompetent men to lead our
troops.
In the piping times OF peace" when actual
wal is not dreamed Of ambitious incompetence
may contrive to become militia colonel, or a
brigadier, or even a major general, although
as little qualified for military leadership as a
wooden image. So long as the most serious
duties of these officers are such as come on
the "tented field of a militia muster, where
their laundering incapacity may excite mrth
nobody gives them much attention. Their
appointment 10 Office was not procured by any
body's conviction ofstheir fitness, and they
may figure TO any extent on training days,
without provoking much criticism. But when
war comes as grim and bloody reality, such
military officials should be brushed aside al
once, and none but those who have the requi-
site qualifications be appointed to lead our
soldiers TO battle. Away with the bockheads
and put none but capable and resolute men in
responsible places.
Far be it from us to say that all, or even
large proportion of the principal officers of the
volunteer militia OF the country are such as
we describe. There are among them able and
accomplished men, as well as men of the 9th.
er sort. 1t would be very easy to mention
officers of companies, regiments, and brigades
connected with the volunteer militia of this
state, who would behave splendidly in actual
service and deserve any confidence; but our
present purpose is to remind our readers OF
the incompetent-of those whose existence
in Office becomes annoying i'll the presence of
war itself, and who cannot be detailed for ac-
tual service without probable ruin to any en-.
terprise with which they may be connected.
There are great many people in this state
who believe Brigadier General Pierce incom-
petent, and unfit for the place he now holds.
Without undertaking to endorse or discredit
this opinion, at present, we will content our
selves with expressing our belief, that
in that unfortunate march to Great Bethel, he
haI, Ia l.. 80.
and probably privates, who could have led the
exp muc, hnttar purpose: for in
staedlt19ohi Duryea of the New York Zouaves,
or tue accomplished and gallant Lieut.. CREDIBLE
who was killed.
Nothing in the business OF organizing regi-
ments for service is of more Importance than
the selection of officers, and nothing should be
done with more care. We have heard now
and then of regiment in which the man Sc
lected for the Office Of colonel was confessedy
deficient in some respects that is to say, to-
tally unfit for the place but che was strongly
urged for the office by influential friends,
and the lieutenant colonel is a very
superior officer" is the apology. Infu-
entail friends, forsooth Let them be shown
the door without loss of time, when they
come begging you to curse the public service,
and trife with the public welfare, by giving
important places to men not fit for them. And,
for the rest, if your second in command really
is the very superior officer on whom you rely
for the proper handling of the regiment, let
him have at once, and without the embarrass-
ments of stupid superior, that first place
which SO confessedly belongs to him. Con-
slider nothing but the candidates fitness or
unftness for the Office lie seeks, and allow
nothing else to interfere with the matter.
1t is sometimes forgotten, too, that political
prominence is not satisfactory qualification
for high military command When war
comes, men who have succeeded to distinguish
themselves in politics, sometimes conceive the
notion of keeping themselves before the pub
lie by becoming military leaders. There are
many reasons why such men should not have
important military appointments. In the
first place, it does not require much
ability to secure political prominence.
Ignorant or shallow men may gain this
There is nothing else in the way of distinc.
ton that requires SO little talent. And then,
Appointment politician may be man of superb
9fability, without capacity to lead an army
successfully War is science to be studied
with care by all who aspire to be military lead
ers, and more science now than ever before;
and without knowledge of it, the Hon. Mr.
Ego, SO great at all party gatherings, is no
more fit to be general than he is to make
watch or a telegraphing instrument without
having learned the business. The rule should
be to give important military appointments to
the fittest men, whether they have political
influence or not. And as the war becomes
more earnest and bloody, and we aie made to
see more clearly how surely incompetency
cauess disaster, the stronger will become those
influences which will compel the adoption of
this rule.
THE HEMP REMEDY NEEDED
The Albany Evening Journal. in some re-