Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-12-12

can't be done" policy, and Of cosrse VIII do nothing.
permit ything to be done.
The President has already alluded in Of his MESA
ges to the fact that the war has thus far DEVELOPED very
few improvements in the art Of offensive and defensive
warfare And why Is its Is it be wondered at when
there Is no method-no bureau proper persons APP
pointed to investigate proposed improvements of any
kinds Is it surprising when any one coming TO Rich
mond with any improvement for which he wishes TO OBJ.
tain hearing, finds every avenue to Investigation or
experiment closed against himunless be has the re-
quste "lnHuence" in his behalf?-and by men, gen
orally who have shown that they their subordnates
are equal to the task Of designing single Improvement
which the crisis has urgently demanded-of river de-
fences defense of Notifications Improvements in arms
projectiles &C. The of it is evident for, whoi
dollars day, to investigate, much less originate, any
hing9 The plain well as the remedy, which
is as already observed that there should be bureau
persons appointed capable and willing to investigate,
in order to sift the practical and usefa improvement
from the utopan themes Of the dreamer instead Of
ferrng all accidental person supposed to be the
suitable one for reference whose personal affairs or IL
difference prevent his giving the subject any attention
II he had the necessary qualifications to investigate
have no axe to grind, except desire in with
every well-wisher of the cause, to see the rofe
Of the Confederacyj developed for Its defence
which they be 80 long there Ia opportunity
or encouragement given for their Development bat
have no doubt that nineenhs of those who have come
to Richmond with the patriotic hope of aiding the com
mon cause in the ways referred to, will endorse the
views above expressed.
1t is with departmental life and with the operations Of
armies, with animal life "the tall is bound to follow
the head and if the right Is not at the head Of
department or army, the consequences soon force
themselves upon the attention Of the government and
the country Unfortunately stoo often the that
the clustering parrot who would make you think he
performing wonders to judge from his "stye" and fine
speech the who is selected for responsible posi-
tions while man Of uuassumng and quiet demeanor
would accomplish ten times much in ectual results
As before observed the skill and ingenuity Of the
country is certainly not to be found among the pension
era Of the IN the subordinate departments
at Richmond, and seldom among the regular Offices oil
the army and navy for they have their especial duties
to perform and are without the usual incentives to the
necessary exerton which many others have. The most
important Improvement that has been made during the
war as ever are by persons not regularly connected
with the army or navy. The Arkansas, and have no
doubt the Virginia pierrimac) was originated and de-
signed by persons not connected with the navy, and SO
of almost every other important improvement that has
been made Therefore the necessity of some plan Of
encouraging exertion and method of developing the
useful talent and skill of the Conederacy and preventing
the department officials at Richmond from being bar
to such development instead Of an aid.
OivIL ESGISEER.