Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-11-02

We insert the following, containing sew
eral excellent suggestions, which was writ.
ten for insertion in the Gazette but refused
a place in that journal for some reason
which the writer an old soldier, was unable
to comprehend. To us, and our readers, these
| reasons are immaterial:
"A FRIEND TO JUsTIoEp ON "EoUAL JUSTICE TO
REGULAR AND IRREGULAR OFFICERS"
CINCINNATI, October 80, 1861.
Gents: Much as desire Ito refrain from
further intrusion upon you" again feel
myself irresistibly, yet reluctant ly, pressed
into the service by the astounding rumors
from Washington, found in yesterdays Ga
zeHe, combined with your editorial of to-day,
headed as above. l therefore once more ven-
ture to draw my rusty sword in behalf of
what regard as the right side of what may
yet prove most monstrous question.
To begin with the editorial, suffice it to
observe that you are not warranted by facts,
in assuming that "in any misfortune which
our troops have suffered in this war, it has
been generally thought as sufficient cause
for 1t that they were commanded by volun-
teers." Such may be said by the ignorant,
unthinking and prejudiced but not SO by
rejecting, well-infofmed or unprejudiced
observers. If there is any truth in the old
classical adage: "P0etd tacitur; non ft;" or,
in plain English, zone must be born a poet:
for he can not be made one." So, without q
natural genius or heart for any particular
profession, science or art no man can ever
become eminent therein; but by dint of
mere education or practice he may reason
ably be expected to pass muster in the COM
mon discharge of the duties which he has un-
dertaken; and of this we meet with remark
BILE illustrations every day, in every walk of
life.
All, therefore, that ought to be expected
is, that those who have been regularly train
ed to the profession of arms ought to be the
best officers and generals; and, generally
speaking, such is the case, though brilliant
examples to the contrary are not unfrequent
and yet, after all, these are only exceptions
to natural and legitimate rule, as the edi-
torial subsequently admits. In fact, were
this not the case, where would be our lead
ing spirits and geniuses in every art or
professioD2 And how would you find men
generally and naturally finding their own
level? So, pray let things remain as they
are, and do justice to all.
To turn to the utter injustice still contin-
ued to be inflicted on General Fremont. In
my late 'few last words" on that subject l
was Indignantly led to remark that "he WaS
| the first General Of an army ,0ho enjoyed the
singular distinction of entering the field Nth a
head of the Government would be induced to
persist in go unwise, undignifed, nay puerile
and mean, course as represented in the pa
pers of yesterday, in "the orders having last
Saturday been issued, and committed to
special messenger, for General Fremont
making over his command to the officer neat
belo,O him. unless he tOaS actually IN presence
| Of the enemy, or pursuing for a battLel Well
may your cotemporary of the Press ask, in
his usual playfully, sarcastic way, "What
constitutes the presence ofthe enemy2 Is it
an actual presence, face to face, or is pre-
sumptive presence all that is necessary to in
aict or await the impending decapitation2"
AT all events, am unwilling to credit the
matter, however loudly Rumor, with her
hundred tongues may below forth so insane
| a report; and / am the more borne out in
this charitable persuasion by finding such
an anathema in juxtaposition with an equally
impertinent attempt to influence the head of
the Government, ascribed to four highly re-
! spectacle civiLidns, viz Senator Chandler, of
Michigan; Wade, of Ohio; Trumbull, of ILL
nois, and Wilkinson, of Minnesota-in re-
| curing, as the popular demand, that General
Mcclellan, or some other General officer,
should Immediately proceed to whip the
! rebels, and roll the tide of war South ward
to meet the waters of the Gulf! fsuch un-
warrantable interference with the Executive
is to be tolerated among the freest people in
the world, it is indeed time that their mill
tary leaders should at once turn their swords
into plow shares, and their spears into pru-
ming booksl But 'the time is not yet"
In the meanwhile, if there be any truth
in the threat ofthe eventual fate described as
harging over the head of the gallant com
mander of the Western Department may, as
proud spirited though humble old mitifdire,
| be permitted, in conclusion, to express a
hope that in spite of all that has been done
and said he will persevere in his gallant
course until he has inflicted signal defeat
upon the enemy; but then, if he chooses, let
him Indignantly break his sword across his
knee, and transmit the fragments to the
head of the Government, bound with fllet
of red tape with respectful request that
his resignation may be Immediately accepted,
and successor appointed with as little delay
as possible.
Once more, farewell.
Your obedient servant,
A FRIEND TO JUSTICE.