The Portland daily press., 1863-10-24
The Displacement Of Commanders.

The fact of Gen. Rosecrans' displacement
by Gen. Geo. ii. Thomas, has been COMMUNE
Gated to the public by telegraph. Gen. Thorn
as was second in command of the Army of the
Cumberland, and made that splendid fight with
the right wing whereby the Army was saved
from rout and wreck at the close of the late
battles near Chattanooga. The reasons for
this step on the part of the high authorities at
Washington are not yet made public. Gen.
Rosecrans was an nuconditionally;loyal man,
and gave hearty support to all the measures
of the Government, SO that his displacement
can be based on no other than military rea-
sons; what these are, is best known to those
who have acted upon them. Upon this sub
iect, or rather the general subject of changes
of military commanders, the New York Trib-
une very appropriately remarks:
We have two reasons for borrowing less trouble
than do some of contemporaries with regard to
chan of commanders for the several armies of the
Union. One is our consciousness that the Pres
ident and his civil and military advisers far bet
ter informed than we or any of the writers be
with regard TO the capacities the merits the achieve
and the shortcomings of our various generals
in the field. lie who can imagine that there is any
warrant for the insnuations of the vile copperhcad
Journals that generals are displaced under the i'm
pulse OF Jealousy, or any other unworthy motive
ought TO let his feet follow his heart into the Confed
crate camps OF all men this earth the President
and his Cabinet are most anxious that the war shall
be honoraby closed at the earliest moment and are
straning every nerve to that sole end Mistakes and
errors they may and doubtless do commit; but that
they displaced general because they feared he
would prove too successful or too popular is caum
ny too absurdy malicious TO deserve refutation They
doing their very best TO bring the speedily TO
benefccnt close; and they promote or relieve gem
erals with single eye to this end, When We know
all the facts in case we may judge that they have
erred in their decision with regard TO 1t; but not till
then
In the second place feel that there are men
filling subordinate positions in the National
vice that enincntly qualified for high commands
and an xous to them placed that they
may conclusiyely demonstrate their capacity. Now
every change increases the probability that these may
be soon placed where they should be- If q general
prove not fully up to his work, 1t is sheer imbecty
to ieep him in command on the plea that you know
not who would do better. Replace him BY the best
you know, he at the worst but fail and thus
give you opportunity TO make fresh selection. If
your predestined Napoleon is as yet corporal this
change may very possibly advance him to the rank of
sergeant aud to get one step nearer him worth
effort. Almost every body was troubled and depress
yet the Army Of the Potomac fought Its credta
bic battle under its new commander only five days
aftcrward, and won victory that electrified the
country.
Let US trust our Government. 1t is doing its very
best and its progress during the present year has
been great Copperhcad oracles dilate ON the fact
ton, and draw thence the conclusion that the War
has made no progress during the past two years
They shut their eyes to Port Royal, Roanoke, New
bern, New Orleans, Fort Donelson, Nashville, Cor
inth, Murfreesboro, Vicksburg, Helena, Fort Hud-
son, Little Rock, &C., &c, and conine their vision
to one spot, and test the failure of the
War by onr progress at this point alone. But, even
thus unfairly considered our progress has been
siderable since the Rebels obstructed the lower Po-
tomac on one side and the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road the other, beleaguering with fifty thousand
men the Federal Metropolis and McClellan's army
one hundred and hfty thousand strong. These days
of humiliation are happily passed, and can hardly
return but through the restoration of their
spirit to the position he so grossly forfeited. Our
acting generals may not be Marlborougis, but they
are certainly great improvement those of our
earlier and darker day.
We entreat those in authority 70 put faith in the
People, and fail TO do the right thing at the
very instant that ts wisdom becomes apparent.
Never fear to do exactly what ought to be done and
you will infallibly secure that public confidence
which weak timdty would righteousy sacrifice
while seeking TO preserve. BE just aud fear not"