Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-11-23
confederatel Apnoint,ments.

triotc the impossibility of his knowing all his APP
Poiniees and the consequent necessity of relying
upon others, often interested parties, for know
ledge of the character and qualifications of appl-
cants for office, renders it absolutely impossible to
avoid blunderS in makiHgathem.
We believe general rule, President Davis has
been fortunate in his appointments. He may have
Numbered especially in bestowing military appoint
ments upon civilians heretofore, because of the diff
fcuty of determining in advance the qualifications
of men for certain positions before they hare been
tried but of this we have said nothing, because
IN those few instances which have struck as in
appropriate or unfit, we were not in possession Of
sufficient information to express opinion. ---4--
We need not here repeat what we have so often
said unalterable devotion to the Southern Con-
federacy, because it presents the only tangible hope
now left upon this continent for the preservation of
constitutional liberty and government Of the
people. No in the Confederacy has higher
claims upon our confidence and support, as the man
for the times in the Presidential chair than Jrler
son Davis. Yet our sense of duty to the people of
the South, and especially to the people of Ncrtl,
Carolina, will not allow to fail to disapprove of
and condemn any measure or appointment made by
him or the authorities of this State, which puts at
hazard and eminently jeopards the vital inter-
ests of North Carolina, especially during this war.
We had heard it rumorAd before our last issue,
that the Hon. L. OBJ. Branch of thisc city, had been
appointed by President Davis Brgadier General
in the Confederate army; and although we had re-
ceived it from resp0nsi de source, yet such APP
pontment struck being so Incredible, we could
not bring ourselves fully to believe it until say
the following announcement in the last Raleigh
Register:
"PRoMoTIOSs.-We are gratified to learn that
Colonies D. X. McRae, George B. Anderson, and
l.. OBJ. Branch have been promoted by the Presi-
dent to the rank of Brgadier Generals Should
the opportunity Offer predict that each Of these
gentlemen will demonstrate the fitness of these
appointments"
We will not question the sincerity of our cotem-
porary in the above endorsement of all of the above
appointments. 1t may be correct in its prediction
that leach of these gentlemen will demonstrate
the fitness of these appointments" and we sincere
ly hope its predictions may be verified But with
the lights before us compelled to differ with
it. in respect to one at least of those appointments.
Col Anderson has military education, and his
antecedents well as his recent reputation, give
him note young officer of high promise. Col.
McRae, although with but a few months military
training, is man of genius, and we should judge
has some of the points of military man., His
plumbers as political leader will not dsqualify him.
necessarily, as military leader. At all events both
of these gentlemen have been under the eye OF Gems.
Johnston and Beauregard for some months, and we
presume their appointments meet their appreciation
"a high compliment-and we therefore, if this be
So cordially acquieSce as all will, in their promo
ton.
But we are conscientiously bound to except to
the appointment Of Col. Branch as Brgader Gen
eral especially, if it be true hear, that he
persedes Gen. HILL in command of the Northern De-
partment Of our sea-coast. In what we shall say
about Col Branch, we shall do him full justice 1t
is unpleasant task, because may say something
! which may unwittingly aftiict some for whom
entertain high regard; but shall avoid what is
unnecessary to the fulfment of our duty as a pub
lie journalist, and yet be true to North Carolina.
We urged no objection to his appointment as
Colonel in the State troops by Gov Clark, although
we knew there many others in the State who
had stronger claims than Mr.. Branch, because of
their superior military knowledge and abilities, and
because we were anxious to see him and all others
who claim to have taken any special part in bring
ing on the war, fully in the fight.
But we object to Col. Branchs appointment as
Brigadier General in command of our coast defences
whether brought about by the recommendation of
the State authorities or by the combination of po-
litcal and family influences, or whatever else, for
the following reasons:
l. Col Branch is no military man, nor has he the
| - Il
is wholly civil and political. His pursuits have
been entirely of the same character He has energy
and business talents-a plOddng mind of medium
cabre, without genius, without great resources for
an emergency, without strategic SKILL and without
administrative qualities as diSciplinarian. He has
not even the prestige Of having been an officer or
private in the militia, and is, perhaps, even now,
incapable of thorough company drill, much less to
maneuvre battalion, regiment or brigade
On the breaking out of the he Joined the Raleigh
Rifles and ignoring Office avowed his purpose to go
into the fight as pri0ate Too busy too averse
to the drill, he appeared but in the ranks, and
then, at the summons of the sergeant. He was re-
lieved in day or two by the appointment of Quar-
termaster and PaymaSter General Of the State troops
by the famous Military Board This office he re-
signed soon after that Board became defunct AT
ter one more unsuccessful efforts to secure the
Colonelcy of one of volunteer regiments he was
relieved of his retirement to the shades of private
life by Gov. Clark who appointed him Colonel of
the 18th regiment of State troops regiment pro-
vided for favorite by his party friends in the
last Legislature That regiment, although fully
differed, has still bat half its complement of men,.
What proficiency Col. Branch has made in military
knowledge, between his superintendent of the camp
and his trips to Richmond within the last six weeks,
we are unable to say,-but it is unreasonable to sup
pose it has qualified him to manage brigade scat