Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-12

that Gen Smith felt called upon TO ask a
legal investigation into the conduct of all
concerned, both high and low, with view
OF Kidding the government of incompetent
officers. He has also applied for e board to
examine into the tactical attaiHments Of all
tho officers of his oommand-doubtless for
the same purpose. Ever since these events,
Gen. Smith has been assailed with news
paper squibs from those who have joined the
army, MOTTO serve the country, but to fatten
upon its ruins And every pretext has
been seized upon by these persons which
might be contorted, however falsely, into q
ground of complaint against an officer SO
infexibly opposed to every scheme Of public
plumber and all laxity of military discipline.
Hence the hue and cry that Gen. Smith is a
protector of Secessionists, and that Gen.
Wallace had in consequence rebelled, receiy-
ing all the same time assurances of co-ope-
ration from Gen. Paine, all Of which state
ments are known to be false by those who
make them, bit were intended to pave the
way for such articles as that which appeared
in the Democrat, calling upon the authors
ties to remove Gen. Smith, when, if any
body was to be removed, even according to
their own showing, it should have be- one
OF both of the former officers, for their in
subordination, and not Gen. Smith for his
enforcement of discipline . Thank God, the
day ID fast passing away, when either the
civil or military powers must longer truckle
TO the rawlings Of every hungry and distract
cd scribbler, and when he who would rule
must first kiss the dust off the feet of every
correspondent. before aspiring to his presi-
Dental bow u I'D 5-ref taJ-- SIS
There is another point, also, underlying
this newspaper twaddle, and that is the
contest now going on over the country, be-
tween conservatism and rsdicalism-which
will continue to embarrass our armies wher-
ever they have TO deal practically with the
''nigger." For the present, our govern
ment has pronounced in favor of conserva-
tism. Leaving the ''nigger in the wood
pile" it has boldly proclaimed that the war
is wsged not to destroy, but to protect the
South-not to exasperate her people, but
TO extend over them the shield Of the Con-
stitution, which has been so ruthlessly
tora from them. In short, the government
evidently hopes, not only to conquer, but,
what is far more difficult, to conciliate those
whom 1t treats as deluded brethren, and still
claims as citizens. Whether this policy be
right or wrong-eficious or ineficious-
it is not, fortunately, for the soldier to de-
termine. 1t is sufficient for him to know
that it is the viii of the government for the
time-snd then to act IN accordance there
with, even though his own head be the first
to be Topped off in consequence. The whole
course of Gen. Smith, since he has been in
command at this post, has been in accord
ance with that will; and, If any abuse falls
to the lot Of any one, let it fell where it be-
long-upon the law-msker and not the law
executor. ..-- "a .. s7.- 4.--s. Il /.
For one, hope this policy Of coneiliation
may prove the proper one, aud suited to the
generous and impulsive nature of our South
ern friends. At any rate it is worth the
trial, and does honor to any government
which has the magnanimity to apply it.
Should it fail, than let sterner dictates rule
the hour, and when that hour comes, if
come it ever should-which God forbid
when desolaiion and determination must
follow the track of our armies-there Is
one who viii still be true 70 the stars and
stripes, on every occasion, and on every
house-top, whore real manhood and bravery
are required to plant it, though it had to
be borne through seas of blood and over
the charred and biackened hearthstones of
half q continent That one, your CORES
pendent believes to bethe General COM
handing at Paducah. PISS. seGA
Ak OBSERVER.
ANOTHER VERSION FROM ONE OF TIE gLEv-
.r--...., - gETH INDIANA. -,hs s-- "a
lcorresponpenoe of the Indianapolis Journsi.J
.vsI CAAP MAoAuLEY, Nov. rs, 1851.
The usual monotonous routine of camp
life was greatly enlivened to-day by an oo-
currence Of very exciting interest. From
what can learn, the facts Of the case are
as follows: ~ u 4 s .. - :
It appears that q certain family bearing
the name of Voolfolk, had been in the habit
of displaying q secession Gag from the win.
dows of their house, and particularly were
they anxious to show their sympathy for the
traitorous Southern government by waving
it on the event Of the reception Of dag
of truce" from tho rebels at Columbus.
Their doings, and that, too, in the
very face Of the loyal troops stationed
here, were more than the gallant Eleventh
were In the habit Of taking. This after
noon, therefore, 9 party of our officers pro-
cured beautiful flag bearing the stars
auley, waited on the aforesaid family, re-
minded them Of their late suspicious 4"
doings, and positively but firmly stated their
intention of "placing the American flag
upon their house" The lady requested
them to wait until her husband he being
then absent) returned. To this they con-
sented, not wishing to violate the domestic
sGnctify of any citizen. In the meantime
one Of the ladies wendell her way over to
Brig. Gen. Smiths headquarters and asked
him to protect them from the "sacrilegous
y outra &c that was about to be committed
upon their premises In q few moments
and just as the husband of the lady returned,
here came Brigsdier General Charles r.