Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1862-03-01

~lO ike OURS. iNietoiohe ~
pretending and pacific, engaged in the innocent
and patriarchal pursuits of agriculture, a strange
and harsh reyulsien of the currento OF accustomed
thought, is necessarily produced at its finding
itself thrown suddenly, although not without
warning, into the midst of scenes OF historic
grandeur and intense action, in which each man
is required to play his part. 1t is not to be
wondered at, no matter haw stern and strong the
determination of each to play that part well and
hcroicaliy, that in the newness OF the position, in
which he finds himself placed, every one should
experience a feeling Of w at the responsibility
which circumstances have forced upon him, and
ask himself in bewilderment. what is best to be
done?
AS ours is a Government, popular to an eX-
IRENE degree, it should be remembered always
that such a Government is the weakest of all for
attack and defense. when the feelings of the
war is carried on; but that it is also the most
overwhelmingly powerful and irresistible, when
one enthusiastic purpose and object fires the
breasts of all.
We are proud to aver, that with a few base
cxceptions-so few that their number may be
counted Oh the fingers-such is the feeling that
now animates the people i'll this Confederation.
Our late reverses have but served, like the blast
of the North, to arouse to a blaze the fires which
were smouldering too long. All that is now
necessary to bring our troubles to a successful
termination, is a wise head to plan, and a steady
hand to direct the energies which the occasion
has called forth, and which arc now strung, like
a bow-string for the battle.
AS to cur executives-Confederate and State
their business for the moment, is to furnish to The
generals in command of our armies the men and
the means, to prosecute the war as vigorously as
possible; abandoning to those generals the Sc
lection OF subordinate military officers, and inter
fering with them as little as possible in this par
t%icular. Men in the command of armies are too
deeply interested in the success of their plans,
not to. select the best instruments for carrying
them out. Already in this war have we heard
too much on the topics Of seniority and rank; as
if either, in times like these, were worthy of men
ton. When did ever either make a general. Or
capable officer? A campaign and the battle
field are the only testsof gencralship and military
aptitude. 1t is impossible to Judge from their
antecedents, of the military genius of any of the
officers of the old army of the United States.
They never had an opportunity Of displaying it
on a scale corresponding with the magnitude of
the war which is now being waged. 1t isswell
known and admitted, that one man may manage
a thousand men well, who would be at fault with
ten thousand, and utterly contounded in trying
to command thirty thousand. Yet there are
many whofeel at home with the latter number,
while it is reserved for Genius alone to distribute
forces.
We must, therefore, allow events to develop
themselves before pronouncing, like the vain
glorious Yankees, OH the merits Of our generals.
up to the present time, Gems. Beauregard and
Sterling Price appear to US to be the only men
who have evinced those talents and qualifications
which cntitlc them to high command. We say
this, without denying to others the same-nay
even higher qualifications; we merely say that
they have not yet exhibited them.
But to revert to our W immediate duty as
simple citizens and soldiers; let as remembel
that this is no time for vain ambition-for struggle
for place, power OR position. In the piping
times Of peace, these are the natural and honor
able stimulants to action. But higher and hoilel
motives now prompt the thoughts of nearly all
and it would be shameful to entertain ideas o.
self or personal advancement, amid the scene O.
universal sacrifice which we are called on te
make. Our business to-day is, to do or die
whether in the ranks, or at the heado of regiments
or armies. We are all of us knights in one of tlt
most glorious causes ever defended. The de
vice of each be then the noble words of thu
sweettongued Roman:
I. DI1Ire ct dacor1lm est pro natria NOR. y