The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-12-29
AN ANCIENT SPEECH.

The following from tire Army and Navy Mes
senger, will remind us Of hoy the ancients talked
about the home criticisms Of army matters:
The following extract from Livy, of speech
delivered in full assembly of the Roman people
by the consul Emius Paulus, at his departure
for the Macedonian war, is applicable to large
class of our ciiizens at the present time that il
may be we'll to publish it:
!. Romans: In every circle, and truly at every
table, there are people who lead armies into Mace.
Tonia; who know where the camp ought to be
placed, what post ought to be occupied by troops
when and through what pass Macedonia should be
entered; where magazines should be formed; how
provisions should be conveyed by land and sea
and when it is proper to engage the enemy when
| to lie quiet. And they not only derermine what
is best to be done but if anything is done
in any other manner than what they have poin ted
out, they arraign the consul as if he was on trial
before them. These are great impediments to
those who have the management of affairs for
every one cannot encounter injurious reports with
the same cohstancy and frmness of mind as Fabius
did, who chose to let his own authority be dimin.
ishcd through the folly of the people rather than
to mismanage the public business with a high rep
utation. L am not one of those who think that
commanders ought not to receive advice; on the
contrary, should deem that man more proud than
wise who regulated every proceeding BY the stan
dard Of his own single judgment. What, them is
my opinion That commanders ought to be ad-
vised chiefly by persons OF knowledge by those
who have made the art of war their particular
study, and have derived instruction from expert
ence; from those who. are present at the scene of
action; who see the country, who see the enemy;
who see the advantages that occasions offer, and
aud who, like people embarked in. the same ship,
are sharers of the danger If, therefore, any per-
son thinks himself qualified to give me advice re-
specing the which [ am to conduct which
may prove advantageous to the public, let him not
refuse his assistance to the STATE but let him come
with me into Macedonia. He shall be furnished
with ship, horse, tent; even bis travelling
charges shall be betrayed. But if be thinks this
too much trouble, and prefers the repose of city
life TO the tolls of war, let him not on land assume
the office OF pilot. The city itself furnishes
abundance of topics for conversation; let it confne
its passon for talking within its own precincts and
rest assured that We shall pay attention to any
councils but such shall be framed within our
camp"
Ii, in the days of Fmius Paullns, before the
art Of printing was known, the COMMANDERS in the
field were annoyed by the oficious advice and lip
pant criticisms of the coneei.ed gabbaletons "in
every circle and at every table," how much more
cause have our generals to complain of the tribe
OF editorial ield-marshaIs and newspaper CORES.
pondcnts who, through the agency of the press.
not only excite unjust prejudice, and destroy the
Puoiie confidence in our ablest military men. but
often BY their indiscreet publications defeat the
best LAID schemes Of military strategy!