New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-21
srvuoUu AND s.~

We have come to understand that " inter
arma silent Lges," and We hardly look among
general or special orders for flowers of rheto-
ric OF elegance OF composition. We do. how
ever, retain an antiquated fancy for grammar
and an old fashioned respect for tho rules OF
syntax The facility aud ease with which his
E1cellency Governor Seymour rounds hls sem
fences, when he il discourslng upon the enor-
mites of arbitrary arrests, tho chronic mis-
conduct Of New.England, or the beauties of
local selfgoyernment, prove that he too has
not forgotten these elements OF precision in the
use of language. But when he approaches the
subject of grim.yisaged war, he or his Adju-
tant- General-who is only his mouthpiece-
seems to ignore them. at least We 50 infer
from one or two orders be has promulgated
recently. Thus we find in " General Orders
No. 20" dated ut General Headquarters,
State Of New.York, Adjutant-GeneraPs Office,
Albany, May 6. 1868" issued :" BY order OF toe
COMMANDMENT Chief" aud intended to carry
out the net OF the late Legislature, providing
for the payment of bounties 10 volunteers, such
expressions rs these:
H. Tho second clas' Of volunteers enif"sHii fo
three yolrs uueo sooner discharged
Should The recruiting ticst alyaucs h- ten tUl dollar
b. viii DO refunded upon dopo.ps ghy enlistment paPct'
ldo.sod With iAs receipt, with Tive Pay uAos General
Isit a "yolunteer that is an "eulist
ment," or " class of volunteers p To whom
is the recruiting officer TO be refunded ?
Were we u recruiting officer, though We NIGH
from patriotic considerations consent to lose
our ten dollars, We should insist upon n dis
tlnct understanding as TO the person 10 whom
and the manner in which we were to be " re-
funded VIII Governor Seymour, ut the mex
meeting of his staii, see ii any one car
e pass" in the good old.iashioned manner the
following sentence:
recruiting officer when he has deposited In the Adju
rLsras office OF the state. forty en',meut papers
the United States Mastering Officer wall be desires
TO muster him the service tiF.s Lieutenant"
Or perhaps he will refer it to Judge.Adyo-
cate.G General Waterbury for his opinion whether
it is as inconsistent with tho laws Of war III
it ia with those OF grammar
In tho name Of the General Government We
are obliged TO protest against the abuse oil
State rights contained in the following clause:
Xxx Tho United States Mastering and DsouT'ins Ohcefi
throug hout the State will doubt render 20 ieoiun.
officer. overy facility providing their duties are dchh sod
with hdey, aud by course OF conduct give Hpeo'Aoh"Y
and character 10 their positions.
Why should GOV. Seymour or his AdIu'
tant- General call upon the United States
Mastering and Disbursing Officers throughout
tho State "by course of conduct to "giyt
respectability and character to their positions y
They certainly are not subject to his orders
We had moreover supposed that the position
of United States mastering and Discussing
Officer was not only responsible but respecta
bic in itself. But it seems We were mistaken
tor though Adjutant- General Spragus has hell
that office. be- calls upon the officers to give il
y character and responsibility" We hop'