The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-04-09
No. 35.
B Change Needed.


W hef the permanent government was inaugurated Es
expeftea to see new line Of policy adopted--a Inns
appropriate, Vigorous and consistent We had hoped
that The complaint of favoritism would be hushed that
the ely p UNIQUE attachments to eete factions seIec
uonstoG office pup0SelY made from ancient political
associations, and the selections of politicians Incapable
Of giving or obeyng an order properly to the highest
positions IN the army and cabinet would be wholly IL
noreQ aad men chosen who were known to be equal to
the thsk We regret however to state that there has
as ye baep but little, if any change-that it is in fact
getting from bad to worSe"-that our affairs are still
undef the control Of men wholly incapable of appreca
ting 1he demands of the crisis as they arise The war
department has metamorphosed an nnumerable number
OF heutenants captains and coones into maorgeneras
and rgadlergenerals without achievement or Justice
BY ppe}ie partalitv men have been placed over our
gallant soldlers IN whom they have confidence what
ever aud who because clothed with ''te brief au-
thonty rule them with despotic rod and subject them
to eyRrN species Of barbarous treatment We know of
some instances where sick soldiers have been treated
like ea5ts by the officers and are confident that thou
and now repose beneath the sod who would to-day be
battling manfny IN our cause but for the nhnmau treat
men OF some:of the officers. 1t has tendency 70 re.
ard volunteering at home and the reGnisng Of twelve
months amen IN the army When some of the sick sol
dIers nqW IN our city, were coming down to Memphis
they were crushed out Of the cabins of the boats by
ofces and compelled to lie down on the guards in the
cod,inany OF them low with the pneumonia measels &c
Nheh cur soldiers falling back from Leesburr to
peef taem to march twentyfour miles one day which
was ehti ely unnecessary as they only marched six miles
the uexi day Many fell exhausted on the way and one
beiorgg to the 18th Mississippi regiment actually died
from fatigue " = might mention many other insances
OF the snhumanty Of the officers, but these will suffice
TO hPw that We have generals devoid of feeling and
bruJgis Of the hardest caste
FoF months tile pen has hardly dried from chronclng
one qlsaster to our arms than another was upon US
Mistakes OF the most grieyous have been committed
tod tho
and the men are tosng confidence in them
Iherf must be radical change i'll some of our officers
or WI shat continue to be subjected to calamity and
dlsgrRceu discontinue. Unless officer acquires the
full cPnndeDce of his he cannot expect to have that
unan mEty OF feeling and thorough discipline which is
necessary 70 keep the soldiers courage and cheerulness
unawed amid tue roar Of battle and the rush of flying
misse5 To these an officer must have the full
conhfeHce Of his men before the battle and then when
the cPn1ct does commence the courage of the men will
be seFere.
ThRre are, ne told some generals in the services
whosP very name IS obnoxious the men under their
eomTaI.d not because Of their enforcement of military
discipline, but on account Of the unfeeng disregard
they natest towards them, and their frequent iutoxil
cauoh The Safety the efficiency the glory of the sol
dIetydePendS upon their having good leaders and if
the gpvcrnment wII but place such at the head Of
the mics, oui noble soldiers will follow them every
Wherf--~chng TO them with the affection of a brother
andFig country through the fiery ordeal in safety
:
Judgment and energy Of purpose in the field command
our afmlos and secure our independence The people
are cIamorng for it. The press all the south is
urging H. The public interests demand it. and the repu-
tatio Of our soldiers is inyoivedn it, Wemay not get
ruernen but confidence exceedingly delicate plant
Of SLOW growth, and will revive without the change
There but way Of regaining the loss of confidence
in public men, and that's by change of men and meas
ureS. Let the change but be made and the principle Of
JUSTICE and right embazoned the banner Of the south
will rise triumphant above this gloomy struggle.
NG have been slow to complain of the mismanages
ment of affairs lest be placed in the category Of
pragTlatca un5as, Who notwithstanding their iusignil-
cancy f%ncy themselves the embodiment Of this revou
tion nG are continually crhcising the conduct of the
war. We accepted the military and naval men sp-
pointed with confidence because it proper to do So
and VIE you'd not now complain it not that ncou-
petenf men are running the country They are nprac-
ucab and have brought disaster and disgrace upon US
w tilnN 1t the duty OF the press demand change
IN all thedepartments-arm navy, and cabinet Men
OF ability perseverance and indolntable industry are
needed. The government wants more talent The de-
partmfns must be fled wthnen who have the vigorto
call into service the full resources of the country and
then tp use 1t With discretion and wisdom The strong
est sn ocs uen must be sougdta and their ability
ana not their past political views be their recommenda
ton ProrGence has smiled upon our endeavors for
tune has avoreG U.s. resources adequate and our
soldiers are brave and wiling and obednt to their com
manderS We have everything with which to gain the
golden prize but talent and that be properly and Judi
ciousy placed in the field and cabinet our ndependenes
viii SoPn be secured. LFicksbarg Wing,