The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-11-14

tftaItHp uisconttHt ana uls SatlSfactlO
against the Administration and the wa
amongst unreasonirg people. Our atten
tlon is especially called to this subject b
very abusive and fierce TRADE In th
communication Of correspon dent of tn
Hawkeye from Cairo, who charges all tn,
blame of the loss at Belmont upon polite
al Generals, and talks about the soldier,
throwing down their arms and reti ring from
the contest in disgust
Now such charges and uch threats are
worse than senseless; they sre false, alb
surd, and mutinous Because the Admin
'stration appoints politicians from polite
al favorltlsm we are defeated i'm bat
tie so frequently, and especially to thai
is our defeat at Belmont attributable, il tn,
argument and charge of the writer for the
Hawkeye. The universally known fact
that Gen. Grant, a regular army officer
planned and led this expedition, is an am.
pie refutation of the charge. Whether
well or i'll planned, and whether efficient
~ or lnethclently exec uted, political Gen
erals are entitled neither TO the response
bllty or credit Of the affair. Gen. Me-
Clernand, a Brigadier General in the VOL
unteer service, was second in command it
Is true, and it is also true that he is a
member of Congress. But as he is a
Democrat 1t is evident he was moi appoint
ed on account of political favoritism. but
IN view of his fitness for the position
and Thus far there is no evidence that
the Administration erred in their selec-
tion
1T Is to be taken for granted that Brig
adler Generals must be appointed outside
OF the regular army, and it is to be infer
red that they are to be appointed on the
ground OF their general capacity. And
1t is ialr to infer that, a man who has
achieved the highest position in civil and
political life, and is noted for sound views
and extraordinary talent amongst the peo-
pie presents the best show for making a
Bngadier General. In this view of the
case We believe that Senator Grimes would
make the best Brigadier General 10 be
iound IN the State of Iowa, though we
think he would do US more service as
Senator
but 10 return To the original charge
that all our troubles and defeats ara
ehaFgtole to political Generals :" facts
prove directly The contrary so far as this
war goes TO prove anything. Bull Run.
our great defeat, occurred under the lead
o. een. Mcdowell, a regular army officer.
and the worst feature in it, the failure of
The reserve, was owing to the drunken in.
efficiency Of Gen. Miles, another regnlar
army otheer And the last great disaster.
at ball Bluff, in which the lamented NO.
htical General Baker was sacrificed while
tAiiah'iy lighting against hopeless odds
was the result Of General Stones com.
inahas, another regular army officer
These with Springfield and Belmont
where our victories were more costly than
ordinary defeats, are examples of the
most prominent bales of the war. for the
results OF which political Generals are not
at all accountable and there have been
no such disasters under the lead of nolt.
icai Generals East or West. Butler is a
political General in the east, and Jim
Lane another in the West, and il strikes
US that their capacity and achievements do
not suller IN comparison with the regular
army Bngadiers, such as Stone, Sturris
and Pope.
In view Of these facts, it is time we had
an exhibition Of less sensecss clamor and
more common sense in regard 10 the CON
ouct OIL Tie war, and the causes of defeat
ana 70 those who are constantly COM
painting that orr forces are always small
81 man those Of the enemy, we sneoes.
the simple, practical remedy that thev
themselves volunteer. and We guarantee
.na' Y all from whose lips this complaint
IS heard, adopt our suggestion our num !.
Ders will be greater than the ene,nv's -
future engagements.
Another Murder in Eddyvine.
About two o'clock Thursday afternoon
returned Californian, By tile name IL
Humphreys, wa hanging aro I'd the house
OF Jane Crayens. soldiers : fe il III.
dyvilie, whose reputation was not such as
C@zars Wife should have IT. i.g,y,af