Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-08
Spirit OF the state Press.
The Newbern Progress holds the following strong
languages about military appointments.

language, about military appointments,
THE OFFICERS.
We ara sorry to see that there are those in this
our day of great peril who openly claim all the
officers at the disposal of the appointing power in
the organization of the military of the State for the
original secessionists This is decidedly wrong and
if persisted in will operate seriously against the
efficiency of the service.
We abandoned the Union soon after the election
of Lincoln believing that it was gone and gone for
ever and openly and boldly declared in favor of as
sociatng North Carolina with the Southern Confed
eracy. We were behind some but ahead of many;
we claim however no patriotism oyer those who con-
tnued to battle for Union till the last moment, for
since the war of subiugation hassbeen declared by
the North we have seen these much abused men, all
over the State, offer themselves their means and all
they have in the defense of the South freely and
cheerfuly the original sccessionist themselves
Guilford Davidson and Orange counties, that gave
heavy Union majorities in February, have offered as
many men for the defense of our rights, homes and
families as Edgecome, Wayne and Duplin that gave
heavy secession majorities. Why then, in the name
of all that is fair honorable and patriotic talk about
a Southern Rights Party now, or draw offensive
distinctions which do not existP Why claim all the
offices for the original secesstOnists, when all re-
CARELESS of all former political differences, are now
banded together to defend the South against the COM
mon enemy. The original secession party professed
itself willing few months ago to ignore self and
sacrifice everything for principle; why do they not
rush to the ranks then? Is there not much glory
and heroism in carrying musket as in welding
sword Cannot as good fighting be done on foot
as on horseback? If those who few months ago
were for Union are unfit to hold office are they fit
to fight the battles of our country in the ranks p
If they not to be trusted in the one position are
they worthy of confidence in the other.
Vance and Leach, gentlemen who were amongthe
strongest Union men in Congress, are in the field
with their men, both of them only holding Captains
commissions, which were first conferred upon then:
by their companies; Gilmer has at Fort Macon,
in a company too which was among the first to go
there But where are the members of the late U.
S. Congress from this State who were among the
early secessonists? With the exception of Senator
Bragg who we learn is private in one of the COM
panies at Raleigh, we do not know of a single one
of the members in the service, unless it be those
who have been given fat offices; and in justice to
Governor Bragg il is as well to state that he not
claimed by the original seceSsiontss as one of their
number. We dislike to speak of these things but
will not hear portion of the people of the State
who are acting patriotic part, abused, andsay
nothing in their defense.
In ordinary times that " to the victors belong the
spois is fair in politics willing to admit but
any man or set of men who attempt to have the
offices in military organization parcelled out
among political avorites at time like the present
deserves and will receive the excavations of ndig
nant people. We will not believe that Governor
Ellis can or will be influenced in his high trust by
any such dictatiOn. We have too much confidence
in his patriotism and integrity to believe that he will
for amomentswerve from the conscientious discharge
of his duty to his State to please selfish demagogues
He certainly will not, he cannot overlook efficient
men at this time simply because they cannot boast
that they were original secessionists, when he him
self opposed them only last June
We hope that those who are keeping up war
upon all who have ever been Union men will see the
&c tho;- oil
now that it only result in injury to themselves
The Milton Chronicle concludes long article thus:
If you want your troops to be victorious-lf you
do not want them cut down grass falls from the
touch of the keen blade-ARN THEM WELL. That is
the secret to in nne-tenths of the battles
fought and we want some body to whisper it into
Adjt General Hoke's ears, who we fear, is not the
man for the times. He may suit well enough in
times Of profound peace-or as Adjutant Gen. of a
" broadbrim Government"-but judging the mans
fitness and qualifications for that important Office
from what we have seen and heard we very respect
fully mplore him to resign and let man skilled IN
Military science take his place during the War. Mr.
Hoke is no doubt Lawyer Of eminence, but he must
pardon US in this plain spoken age for saying that
he is not the man demanded by the times for the
Office he now holds. If we wanted house built
would prefer getting man to build it who I'M
derstood the business; one who had served an APP
premiership to the trade would unquestionably be
preferable TO one that never touched plane or chsel
with his hands, Let him resign, then, and let mil
itary man Of rank be put in his place. The sooner
the better.
We would respectfully suggest to Gov. Ellis the
proprety of dsregardng all applications orappont
ment to Office Of military character unless they
are predicated on true military merit. This is no
time to confer favors on political favorites-to re-
ward pack of broken down politicians and beard
less boys with the most important military posts,
without eye n their fitness We hear of Num-
Der of kid-gove young gents strutting the streets
of Raleigh and fourShing gold headed canes who
have not Volunteered and who do not mean to do it,
unless the Governor gives them an important Office!
And we told that most of these fellows were
among the first to flourish the secession badge