Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-09-20
Field Oaicers-.Thsir Qualifications, &c

We take for Our text, the following
interesting item, which will be found
published IN connection with the Gov
ernor's proclamation calling upon the
people of this State for four thousand
additional volunteers
HuRLBuT AND WILLIAMs.-The re-
port prevalent yesterday that Col. Will
iiams Of the Third Iowa Regiment had
arrested Gen. Hurlbut for drunkenness,
struck Us as first rate Joke. 1t seems,
however, that for once Williams was SO
badly scared that he was sober enough
to arrest Hurlbut, who was dead drunk.
And just in the nick Of time, Gen. Pope
came along and arrest Col. Williams for
cowardicc, and sent both him aud Hull
but on to St. Louis for trial.-Ke0kuE
Gate Dry.
We do not know whether the Colonel
referred to in the foregoing compliment
tary paragraph secured his position by
election or by appointment direct from
the dispensing power. We ito know
that, if report be true, we could not find
better illustration of what field Off
Ger should not be. The time has hap
PLY passed by, however, when political
demagogues and wire-pullers can secure,
by bribery and intrigue, positions which
OF all men they arc least competent to
occupy, and no more shall we witness
the terrible farce of an election by a
regiment, of its field oflicers-a scene
which has no parallel except in the de-
clinng days of the Roman Empire,
when the leyions put up the crown Of
the Caesars to the highest bidder.
Tho recent act Of Congress, placing
tho appointment Of field officers in the
hands Of the Governors OF the several
States, imposes upon our Chief Magis-
trate, duty the most delicate, a rcspon-
sibility the most fearful, and one for
which the bravo men who are pcriling
their lives and their all in defense OF
their country, will hold him strictly &C.
countable.
The very peculiar condition of affairs
in Missouri, where doubtless most OF the
regiments now organizing will be called
upon to operate, where house is divided
against house, township against town
ship, certainly calls for men to lead our
armies widely different from those who
have thus far commanded in that Sec
ton; for men who possess that delicate
tact, combined with manly force, patri-
otto determination and honest purpose,
which knows how to deal with that dis
trac' cd and infatuated people, and which
removing the causes Of the continued re-
taliations and evaporation, will restore
the mild sway Of reason, bring back the
old lovo Of country, and make it the
glad choice Of all, to rally once more
under the old banner OF the Union.
However bitter may be the aspersions
cast upon the Governor and his advis-
ers, however pointed the insinuations Of
his enemies, however inexplicable and
inconsistent from our standpoint may
appear many of the appointments made,
and much of the conduct of affairs in
in this State, we will still have faith in
his honesty, his earncstncss Of purpose,
his scf-sacrifce, his patriotism.
We will still believe that he goes
straight forward about the great work
which his position now assigns him, re.
cognizing the fact that to-day, at the
North, partizanship meets with little
better favor than secession, without IN.
curing into the political faith Of any
candidate and without reference to past
political associations or sympathics, re-
gardless of his own personal aggrandize-
ment, repudiating all party platforms,
and intent only on bringing the best
talent, the best influences, ALL the re.
sources Of the State to sustain her cred.
1t, and assist in the vigorous prosecution
of this war.
1t those who stay at home and grum-
bic, would only 60 to the polls as tbei,
brethren 60 to battle, with no rallyiuc crv
but "our Country, our schole Countr.
and nothing but our Countrvn there
would soon dawn upon us the glorious
day of deliverance from political trick.
sters and demagoguss, and the Augean
stables of political corruption would 70,
once be cleansed. No Procrustean he'd
would be required to regulate the stan.
dard Of party faith; no stretching o.
conscience until "the SPIDERS thin at
tenuated web is cord, is cable" in com
par'son; no cutting and pruning dowr
ofopen, manly, vigorous minds, too hon
sst TO turn to the right or to the left
whether the popular breeze blow over .