Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-01-27
DISCRIMINATION OF THE ARMY.
~ ORANGE G. H., Va, Jan. sth 1854.

To the Editor OF the Ricnmon6 nag: ,
There is .subjec. under discussion in the great
Council of the Confederacy which is of far more
interest to the brave defenders Of the country than
the substitute principal law. Ajust solution OF the
same is considered by them as more relevant to the
efficiency of the army than the filling up of its ranks
. to OVERLOOKING with nondescript dodgers" we
allude to the reorganization Of regiments, and to
reelection of the field officers thereof. Judging
from the signs Of the times, there seems to be
disposition in Congress to deny to the veterans OF
three Summers campaigns the right of reelection
of officers after transcription. And the grounds
Of such contemplated action appears Ito be based
upon "fear" that, if this privilege is granted in
the face of the enemy" it twill demoralize the
armv" Experience proves that such reasoning is
faIacious: Why did not the first reorganization
dernoralize the srhys Where did it take place ,
At Yorktown, in the very teeth OF, McCleiisns
hosts Whist tie reelection Of officers was
transn;ring at required several days. the enemys
shell ere falling around the polls, in the very midst
Of the File ctors. In or about the same time, our
lines were being occasionally attacked and the foe
invariably repulsed. with great slaughter. The
grand assault was daily andnightly expected. Yet
there was no Generalization, All were ready and
eager to meet she second edition Of tyranH on the
ground halloween by the glorious achievements OF
Washington and LA Fayette. 1t is trne the reor-
ganization had resulted in the displacement of a
goodly number OF the old first year officers, who
owed their election to social qualities or personal
popularity, rather than qualifications to command
and in. thai. stead new officers were placed. Did
the army exhibit any signs Of denomination under
these2 Let williamsburg, Seven Pines, and the
Seven Days fights which followed IN rapid success
sion the heels Of re organization answer: These
ese s tks Rsfosm
played, the efficiency exhibited by these Supposed
by outsiders tobe) untried officers, prove beyond
cavil the competency of the rank and file to choose
iud;ciously their comm hing officers. II, with one
years experience, they could select officers capable
of rejecting so much honor on their country and
themselves how much better must they be prepared
to do likewise now afeer three years experience in
the fiery ordeal When the first reorganization
occurred we knew comparatively nothing of cam
paigning; but n small ton of the army had
"smelt gunI.owder," and consequently many were
ignorant as to the clements required to constitute
an efficient officer Even under these disadvantages
we improved ON the old. Bur now the case is far
different Every man in the ranks knows who in
his company or regiment is the. best qualified to
lead in BATH and provide for the II comfort To say
that in the selection of officers. these brave men
will now regard social qualities or personal popu
larity as pa, amount to competency and efficiency,
is to deny them that intelligence gained BY expert
ence and that patriotism attested 10y the honorable
scars they wear 1T is well KIN own in the army
IudS Ill pfctcI
bosuse they know that such an OF 6cer is generally
impartial IN Judgment decisive in the exercise Of
authority, bold ID action, and resolte under trials
and such only Will they properly esteem and re-
spect, and such ranly will they con 6dently follow
through the hail storm of bullets. I
But Mr. Editor it is not absolutely necessary to
reorganze, &c, "in the face of the enemy" after
the campaign opens The regiments need not wait
until their respective termsof service Expire They
Lot
adopt law suffering those regiments whose term
expires on or before 1st July to reosga nize censsl
didate, and re- elect officers this sosnter emo those
which expire after that date to do likewise when
the summers campaign is over Such . measure, it
seems would be satisfactory, to all parties
Officers who have been in the habit or spending
wo-thilyis of their time at home or in hospitals
who have shirked from the battle fields--who have
not the capacity to distinguish discipline from ty
ranny-aho have exercised cruelty bordering on
barbarisu.2in word, officers who are totally unfit
to comma ad will alone offer any serious objection
to such Al measure rs we recommend, or something
similar thereto. These officers, in pluu,ags, but
not in SPIRIT are alone afraid of elections Would
it impair the efficiency of the army to s,,lace all
suchp- Are we to be conscipted for war that Tray
last ten years, and forced to the horrible necessity
Of beir;g eommanded by officers whose heroic fol.
lies shsual indugencies, and intolerabfs. cruelty
togeeer with their natural imbecity and weakness
are disgrace to the. profession of arms? Heaven
forbid. The oiesarei is too hideous for cont empia
ton. IS = X: e'' :" $685. ~ ~ ~
Let1Congrss, Mr.. Editor, do Tie warlworn veto
rams the to recognize their claims snd gran
them the privilege of organization aud re. scsion
of of6csrs for this indeed constitutes the last re-
lie OF the volunteers rights and the last vestige Of
his rational existence. Withhold it not = :. =
An Off GER WHO IS Ner ARA ID or RsELEcIIoas.
49, sss.---- - :. - gz,a 80 s5t#G -As~e
AsorHE,s RAID,A fsw days since, four = WON, il
living ia toe neghborhood Of Morveu, proceed "a
with horse snd wagon, = short distance below tb s
piace, to . house IN which Mr.. Rufus Lilies b. u
some corn and wheat They forced the lock, 40 I
Msnt III aadhs.p6 themselves to corn apd wheat:
liking % much as their horss could we'll drav.-.
Two Of thekls woman are married Their hrsbsnds
work ip the gnn taetory. The ,etier two sre IN.
TGrried. As It IS probable thst the matter ,wiil
onaesgo legd iuyestigs siou, We fsrbsar apmms1t
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