Nebraska advertiser., 1862-05-01
The FIuCtuadOn OF Public opinion
Heroes among our Military

Heroes among our Military
Generals.
The public are very prone to lionize
every General who gains a single victory
or meets with any success. They imme-
diately make up their minds that he is
perfectly master Of eli military science;
they place as much confidence in him as
if be was @the hero Of a hundred battles"
But when be loses a battle, or meets with
any reverse the public then suddenly
change their opinion. They may be en-.
tirely ignorant of the circumstances that
surround their General, but they do not
stop 10 enquire into cause or effect, but
are clamerous for his removal.
When this war commenced Major An
defson was the hero. He soon, however,
was abandoned for a host Of others
Wool, Harvey, Mcdowell, Patterson, it
was predicted by their respective admir-
ers, would be the champion of the war;
but circumstances not being favorable for
them to develOpe their military talent hey
were soon almost forgotten. Then we
were ~captivated by the prOclamations and
letters of Butler, he was going to drive
affairs TO a speedy termination. He
would be the next President" Then,
after The brilliant success of McClellen
in few small battles in Western Vir-
ginia. all looked to him as the greatest
military genius of the age" He was
promoted 10 the position of Commander
iD-Chief, with the consent of the entire
North bat after his headquarters were
moved 10 Washington, on account Of his
apparent hardness be sank very much in
the estimation of q portion Of the public.
When Fremont was appointed to the de-
parlment Of the Missouri, great things
were predicted. The "Great Pathfinder
bad the energy, the experience, and the
indomitsble will" that would soon clear
Missouri of every rebel flag. But after
campaign of a few weeks, the claimor
against him BY a portion of community
was so great, that be was removed
Whether he possessed any military talent
Or not he never had much opportunity to
demonstrate. His proclamation of Mar
tial Law in Missouri, and his efforts in
raising the army Of the West were pointed
TO by his friendsas evidence that be would
accomplish great things. But these alone
would be no proof hat be is capable of
successfully headings large army through
an active campaign. Since the investiga.
ton at Washington of his campaign, the
President has seen fit TO give him the
command of another department. Alter
the advance Of the armies of Buell. and
Grant through Kentucky and Tennessee,
and the victories Of Fl. Henry and Dom
elson the praise Of these Generals eclips-
ed that Of all their contemporaries. But
since the surprise of the Federals at
PiusbuFg Landing, the cry is raised that
something is wrong! Either Grant or
Buell. were 70 UfarHe: That Buell. was
always tardy;" than she has always been
one day to late" &C., SC. The truth is
those who know nothing of military sci
ence. and who are entirely away from the
scene Of action, are not qualified to Judge
the merits Of military men, and military
movements one victory, or even five
victories, do not positively prove that the
commanding general is a great military
man; nor does a defeat prove The Gene
rails want Of capacity. Il is true that
success IS the most reliable criterion to
Judge Of a mans merit; but it should be
after sufficient trial. Success or failure
II. one or two instances may be the result
81 accident. or Of ~fortuitops circumstances.
The News.
.--~ , 1ecnafeh porccd