The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-06-26
From the Scientific American.
The Folly of Appointing Civilians TO
Military Command.

George Washington, in conducting the
revolutionary war, was taught the great
Importance of having educated and train
ed officers for the guidance of armies,
and he gladly accepted the services Of
Baron Steuben and other experienced
military men from Europe, TO aid him in
organizing his forces and training his Off
GERS in their important duties. After the
war, he recommended the establishment
of n national school, for teaching limi-
ted number of students military science
and art, in order that the nation might
never again find itself destitute of this pc
culiar knowledge, so essential for its de-
fence. In 1902, this school was estab-
lished at West Point, and has been in
successful operation ever since. The stu
dents, who are limited to $50 in number
are educated wholly at the national ex-
pense. The course of instruction has re-
Gently been extended from four to five
years, and the standard of education is
very high, so high, indeed, that large
proportion of the cadets, though selected
from the most intellectual part Of COM
munity, are unable TO master the studies.
Those who do graduate are, TO say tho
least, fully equal, in the theoretical knowl-
edge of their profession, TO the military
officers of any nation in the world. 2 '''
The pay Of our officers has been SO
small that many of them have been
drawn into other pursuits; and it was on
ly by means of their knowledge of engi-
neering that the country was able to con-
struct its unparalleled system of railroads.
In 1897, Major Mcneil was in the receipt
of $4,000 year each from seven differ
ent railroads, as chief-engineer, so rare
was engineering science at that time.
But those who have adhered TO the ser
vice have had no other hopes in life than
advancement in that service. The only
thing that they look forward to is promo
ton, and this has been remarkably slow
in our peaceful history. No words can
tell how weary has been the waiting o.
many of these men. AT last there IS
war Now their Numbering knowledge
will be made available, and they will reap
the reward Of their patient persistence.
Captains will become majors, majors be-
come colonels, and colonels, brigadier-gen-
erals. The officers take up the morning
paper, and find that some pot-house poll
tician has been made, at one bound, q
brigadier-general over all their heads
We have no special sympathy with the
officers of our army, but we feel the deep
wrong and disgrace of the republic treat
ing any Of its servants with such unspeak
able injustice.
The folly of this course is rs great as
its meanness. A regiment is a large body
TO be drawn from the pith and marrow Of
the community, and it costs about $1,000
q year to support each one Of these 500
men. A brigadier general has the gui-
dance Of several regiments, and to con-
duet them wisely requires n peculiar
knowledge. The art of war is one Of
the most complicated and difficult of all
arts. 70 trust the conduct of brigade
to man who has never learned how 20
do it, is monstrous stupidity. 1t is vast
ing the resources of the country, and tri-
fling with the lives of the men. And
this is not the worst: it is exposing our
forces TO defeat and the nation to dis
grace.
General Butler had exhibited peculiar
military qualities of so high an order as
fully to justify his appointment; and Gov.
Banks too had given proofs of executive
abilities that would eminently fit him for
the conduct of the commissary's depart
ment; but these appointments of civilians
should form rare exceptions, and the rule
should be to entrust the guidance of our
valuable soldiers to that accomplished
BODY of men who have been educated
and trained TO this peculiar service. With
all respect, but with an carnestness pro-
portiened to our interest in the national
honor, we urge our military authorities 10
appoint no mere politicians TO important
military commands.
The government of tho United States
is engaged in supprossing monstrousre-
belion. 1t needs the cooperative sup
port aud sympathy of men, without re-
gard to political bias. Thus far it has
secured all this; but when we hear Of the
appointment of some small-beer politi-
clans, totally ignorant of military knowl-
edge, to important positions in the army,
we feel that it is wrong TO the whole
country. The brave Captain Doubleday
who heroically fought the enemy in
Sumpter, is now leading his men on to
Harper's Ferry, while no notice is taken
of him by the government. Lieutenant
Slemmer who gallantly defied the secess-
ionists at Fort Pckens, is merely a ma
jor, and Major Anderson is only colonel;
while some local politician is allowed 10
suddenly become an officer Of equal rank.
We are glad to see that the press is TAX
ing notice Of this matter.