The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-14

MEN FOR THE RIGHT PLACEs.-Tne unfortunat
blunders which led to the check received b
our troops at Big Bethel have excited.
strong feeling as to the IMPROPERLY o. ONCE!
Ing our regiments with civilians. In 81
other countries 1t is held that the rawev th1
ievies the greater the necessity for pls cling
over them officers thoroughly experienced and
reliable We would seem to have started
this war on the reverse principle; for while
there are many officers of high ability occupy
ing inferior positions in the regular army, and
many West Point men entirely unemployed,
important commands are given to persons who
have not the first elements of soldiers educs-
ton, and who have never seen service of any
kind. This is entirely wrong, and it lie fortu.
nate for ns that our arms have thus early met
with reverse that opens our eyes to the fact
The lesson might have been taught us when it
would have been too late to remedy its results
Impressed upon US now, we shall probably be
able to counterfeit the Influences that nave Led
to the adoption Of 80 mistaken and vicious
system. ~
As general rule, no volunteer regiment
should be sent into the field without having q |
fair proportion of its officers taken from the |
regular army. It will be objected that this
would impair the effectiveness of the lat
ter; but it il not SO. Promotion in the resular
army is 30 slow that many deserving officers
quit it early for other occupations, while of
the commissioned officers but few have q
chance of rising to the positions. to which their
merits entitle them. By offering The former
promotion in the newly raised regiments, with
the rank and pay Of the regular army, we
should retain in the service valuable class of
officers, while the constant rotation that would
thus be kept up would excite the emulation and
keep alive the hopes of those who enter it as
privates in the expectation of raising them
selves by their superior education and good
conduct But the regular army is net
the only source from whence good officers
can be obtained In civil life, follow ing
the different professions-law medicine,
civil engineering, and even trade itself-there
are to be found many who have received q,
West Point education, and who, ii an appeal
we're made to their patriotism, would willingly
accept positions in the new regiments Thus
it will be seen that great as is the present emer-
gency, there is no real necessity for the en-
ployment of civilians in commands for which
properly trained military men are alone fitted.
1t is impossible that, after the disaster with
which our arms have just been visited the
government can continue to disregard the pres
sure Of public opinion on this subject A second
defeat, produced by the same causes, would
bring upon it such q storm Of indignation that :
it must lead to an immediate and entire change
in the administration. Wtle the destinies Of
the country are thus imperilled, it will not be
tolerated that political favoritism aud nepotism
shalI be the predominating influences in the
management of our military affairs. Let,
therefore, an end be at once put to the
schemipg and corruption by which the
and the lives of our brave soldiers
recklessly hazarded under incompetent leaders
We have now over two hundred thousand.
and will soon have half Million of men uader
arms. Properly equipped and Differed, this
force ought to be able to crush out toe
rebellion by tie let of January next Tte
government Will be furnished vito ample
means for the purpose, and let it see
to it that no further Encouragement inter.
poses between us and prompt termination Of
Inc war. BY acting upon the suggestions that
we have just thrown out, it will not only give
ull effect to all our efforts and sacrifices, but it
will create the nucleus for an extensive mill
tary organization which, without being subject
to the objections incident to large standing
army, will yet place it above the apprehension
Of being again surprised by either domestic
or foreign fee.
burning OF . Railroad Bridge.