New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-16
rHE RIGHT MAN I'm THE RIGHT
PLACE.

THE large mass Of our fellow Americans are
aot military chettains. They never set squad
ron in the field, nor mounted an imminent deadly
breach nor were under fire. They never even
trained Nevertheless, some of them doubtless
,ome up to the standard of military knowledge
which Tom Corwin, in the House of Represen-
tatiyes, during HE famous debate with Crary, the
Michigan Brissdier, erected as the measure for
Militia General-to wit careful perusa OF The
title page of Steubens Tactics, and profound
conviction that, when troops are drawn out in
two parallel lines, the rear rank stands right be-
hind the front rank. Whether all vino have
penetrated thus far into tie science Of war are
now engaged in raising regiments, while the Sc
lect few who have gone one step further into its
dread mysteries are applying for posts at the
head of brigades and divisions, We are not in
formed. We only fear, that in the scramble for
military honors ia the several States aud ut
Washington, there s danger that the good old rule,
q the right man in the right place." will some
times he disregarded. A private soldier may pass
muster with l. tie preliminary drilling. The
commander of company may make credta-
BILE appearance in a dress parade, OF emerge from
a skirmish without disgrace, even though he has
not acquired the skill which Captain Bonaparte,
Of the 4tb Artillery, exhibited at the siege Of
Toulon. But a Colonel, who undertakes to han
die thousand men, ofttimes in the most trying
emergeDc .es, should understand something OF his
business. And General who is 10 be ntrusted
with the lead of ten thousand men, during
campaign, and control their every maneuyer
smid the smoke and carnage of battlefield
ought to know great deal Of his profession be-
fore assuming such grave responsibilities.
1t is laudable, in these perilOus tines for every
body to try and do something for his country.
Let each labor in the fed best adapted TO his
tastes, habits, and capacities, remembering, ere
he make the selection that it does not necessarily
follow that because man has proved to be
good for nothing c.se he s therefore Gt to head
charge of cavalry, conduct siege, or command
a division in q hotly contested engagement.
While il is not expected that every officer who
receives a commission in our volunteer corps Will
be a Ney or Scott, il should be borne in mind
that in the exigencies OF war of unparalleled
importance, the army should not be mado
lazar. house for the reception and sustenance Of
those who have failed to win success everywhere
slse Care. caution, and the sternest tests should
be employed in the selection Of officers to COM
mand our troops. Epauettes and batons must
not be bestowed merely as rewards for partisan
services. nor as lures 10 win political support.
They should be given TO men who possess soldierly
qualities exhibit genius for war, and show that
shcv xycre horr, to command
Where there are 80 many posts % be filed,
come mistakes viii be made. Lot them be recti-
ied at the earliest moment. Sterling qualities
may not be immediately disclosed. When die.
covered they should, according to the Napoleonic
suls. be rewarded with promotion, even though
tAs ranks supply an occasional Captain OF CON-
Dssy, and Lieutenant be- suddenly advanced to
- hsaA Of regiment. Incurable deficiencies
wA ~ tine be concealed. But, if Colonel
~ 0sasni prevss ussaly Incompetent, and viii
~ Ysv1Y9y resisn when requested, his sword
skeAh - tim from kh sias without fear or ia
az U - gras1 s6kssa NJ eowznaiao h com.