Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-03
MORNING LEADER.
The NapOIeOnio Way of DeaIius with Gen.
From the New York World.l

From the New York World-l
The Government also has duty to per-
form in holding the commanding generals
who are more directly within its control
to 4 stricter sccount The year has devel-
oped great diae ences between the different
leaders in respect to competency and eff
cheney. There has been no corresponding
distinction made in respect TO the duties
assigned. It seems to have been the way
Of the administratiOn-We can't say poll
cy, for there is no policy in ito super
sede as little as possible There has been
an excessive reluctance to make changes
History VIII be searched in vain for any
successful war in which there has been SO
little shifting Of official positions in accord
anoe with the developments of capacity OF
incapacity. England pursued much the
same course in her war against the colo
nies, and to that one circumstance more
than TO any other, is to be attributed her
failure. II may spring from amiable feel
ings, but 1t is in the highest degree iniur-
ions. Congress, by special act, invested
the President with the power to assign
commands without respect to seniority
This power has been exercised to some ex-
tent, but in no such measure as the good
Of the cause required It is a notorious
fact that the best commanders are not all
in the best places. Before entering upon
the second grand campaign, this should be
rectifed. The President, with the aid of
Gen. Halleck, ought to find it not difficult
in the light Of the years history, to make
out some such list of his generals as Bona
parte, in his early career sent home to the
Directory, judging of men, as he said, by
AZ l,n
made, and success insured. 1t would be
an easy matter to take this same list and
substitute the names Of fifteen high Amer
lean generals, having substantially the
same characteristics. Bonapar,e thus
wrote from Italy:
I think it useful, citizens directors to
give you my opinion Of the generals en-
plOyed in this army. You can see that
there are but very few who can be of ser
vice to you.
BERTHIER.-Talents, courage. character
everything in his favor.
AUGEREAU.-A great deal Of character,
courage, frmness, activity, habit of war;
is beloved by the soldiers, lucky in his op-
eratiOns.
MAssENA--Active,i ,indefatigable, daring,
has quiekness of apprehension and prompt
SERRURIER.-Fightsl like a soldier, takes
nothing upon himself firm, has not very
good opinion Of his troops; is i'll.
4 LDEsPIEoIs.-Soft without activity with
out daring, has not fighting habits, is not
liked by the soldiers, does not fight at their
head; has, for the rest, hauteur intelIi-
gence, and sound political principles; fit
TO command in the Interior.
SAURET.-GOod, very good soldier, but
not enlightened enough to be general; not |
lucky.
AR4rUccr.-Not fit to command fifty |
men.
GARNER, MOUSIER, CAsABIANcA-Inca-I |
pables; not fit to command battalion in /
so active and in so serious a war as Ills. /
MAcQUART,-A brave man; no talent, |
fiery.
tGAUrAIER.-Fit for an office, rbureau1;
never was engaged in war.
VAUBoIs and SAHAGUEr were employed 4
In the fortresses; have transferred them
to the army; l shall learn to appreciate
themi they have both acquitted themselves Il
well Of the commissions I have hitherto u
given them; but the example of General
Despinois, who was all right at Milan, and
all v rong at the head Of his division, or
1ers me to judge of men by their actions.
The great conqueror thus discriminaf-
Cannot the President who has - uo Su,
1t stake, do the same thi- zen -I lhoi
Gen. Hslleck do it f. -.hg UT eahno'
II