Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-05
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MONDAY, MAY 5. 1859.
Re RESPONSIBILITY OF OFFICERS.

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We are well aware how dull and fruitless
all speculative discussions are at time when
events are likely to happen that will sir pub
lie passion to its depths. While congress may
be wrapped up in the consideration of its new
questions OF policy, the Issue of impending
battles may change the whole field of contro'
versy, and settle is vexed questions with a
blow, The advance of a division of the army
not feint, make believe, or a failure, but an
honest. genuine advance Of loyal troops-prac.
tically accomplishes more for sound public
policy than the shrewdest diplomacy, or the
most correct ethical reasoning Glance along
the Vast line of operations held by our army
il will be seen that wherever the territory of
the rebellion has been penetrated, with pur-
pose TO conquer it, by generals not tam
glel up and encountered with strategy,
rapid III their decisions, and daring in their
execution, avowing their purpose to the world,
and in 50 doing "scorning any other justifca-
ton than the high motive that placed the
sword IN their hands," there the beginning of
the end has been made of all those moral con-
troversies which have divided the country for
many years 1t is so in Missouri, where FIRE.
MONT sounded the first bugle blast of the war.
1t is so in South Carolina, where HUNTER is
esta blishing his position in the affection of the
people whose just rights he secures. 1t is SO
in NORTH Carolina, as far as the lines of BURN
SIDE and his glorious army extend. 1t is the
same, only less striking in degree, along the
Upper Potomac, and the lines of the army Of
the west. 1t is this fact, clear and patent TO
all, that gives courage 10 the country, and in
spires the confidence of the nations of the
world in our cause. Congress may pass its
confisCation measures, as we trust they will.
The president may give them his approba-
ton, as he surely will, ii lie follows the
same unerring sense OF duty which has pre-
served him till now. Why should one who
has committed the least crime that is possible
against public safety be protected in the COM
Portable enjoy ment of his estates, while the
best blood Of tie country is shed in conse-
quence Of his crime But while the war
lasts, ard AS between the defenders of the
Union and its destroyers the law of force is
The public law, the success of every Off.
Ger who does his duty is worth more to
I've country than all the coufiscatou acts that
could be passed from this time forward to the
declaration of pence. Such was the victory
os SIGEL and CURTIS at Pea RIDGE the
Charge OF ZAGoNYI and his guard at SPRING
field; the last gallant fight of the lamented
LANDER at Burning Gap; and others on
larger scale which have given imperishable
honor to our arms The higher the officer,
the more responsible his command the
greater the advantage that generous
and patient government have given him,
by SO much The more ought he to set
the example Of making some return to
the government adequate to his power. How.
ever much others may achieve, however
hop ful the cause of the Union looks from a
survey of the whole field, it cannot be sur.
prising that individual off GERS, who fail
in any of the indispensable proofs OF fitness to
command, should suffer in public confidence.
1t may be hardship-but history insists that
every officer shall contribute to the sum of the
final triumph according to his power,-or take
his place with the long line of incompetents
whom it has piIoried for all time.