Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-01-26

agEnatfuettye guard OF the reVolutlonary times,
~ tl1at the military should be kept under strict sub
roraidato6 70, and governed by, the civil power.n
bHeaxsa knows It is sad thing enough for freemen.
b to haVethis great writ SO dear to them-ths "Bi-
BILE ofeths English constitutional and brthrght of
every State suspended for moment, even against
o6sadss bat suspend it for the causes indicated
by the Mississippi Senators, is the supremest mock
fs@rttsh Constitutions that has ever been ex7
hibited in the face Of freedon.-PrOgress. -.
: "a REORGANIZATION. OF THE ARMY. .7sL
,,iussoo JIsJ 6RANGE C. Fl Va, Jan. Sth 1864.
7 70 tie Esit6rl q Of II az scRia5psSqnd Wig:
SS There is subject under discussion ia the greats
Hs6ouncil Of the ConfederacE which is of far more
interest TO the brave defenders of the country than
the substitute principal law just solution Of the
same is considered by them as more relevant to the
efficiency Of the army than the filing up gifts ranks
S to 'oyerfo kingIWith ,nondescrips dodgers" We
aiiude 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 tothe veterans of
three Summers campaigns the right of reelection
of officers after reconscription. And the grounds
of such contemplated action appears to bebased
upon fear that if this privilege is granted Gin
the face Of the enemy" it will demoralize the
army. Ex perence proves that such reasoning is
fatiacious. Why did not the first reorganizatior,
a'demofalze the army? Where did it take place ?2'
At Yorktown in the very teeth of McClellans
hosts?!,'s Whilst the re- election of officers was
transpiripg ut required several days. the enemy's
she'll were falling around the polls in the very midst
Of the Electors 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 and nightly expected Yet
there was no Generalization All were ready and
eager 70 meet the second edition of tyrants on the
ground hallowed by the glorious achievements of
Washington and La Fayette 1t is true the reor-
gahintion bad resulted in the displacement of
goodly number Of the old first year officers, who
owed their election to social qualities personal
popularity, rather than qualifications to command;
I, and IN their stead new officers were placed Did
the army exhibit any signs of Generalization under
these? Let Williamsburg, Seven Pines, and the
Seven Days fights which followed in rapid success
sion on the heels of reorganization, answer These
renowned battle fields attest the wisdom of re-or
ganization and reelection. And the heroism dis
played the efficiency exhibited by these Supposed
by outsiders to be) untried officers, prove beyond
cavl the comp etency Of the rank and file to choose
judiciously their commanding 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
r TO do likewise now after three years experience in
= the fiery ordeal When the first reorganization
occurred we knew comparatively nothing Of cam
-paigning; but small portion OF the army had
'smelt gunpowder," and consequently many we're
an efficient officer. Even under these disadvantages
we improved on the old. But 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 battle and provide for their comfort To say
that in the selection of officers, these brave men
will now regard social qualities personal popu-
slarity as paramount to competency and efficiency,
is to deny them that intelligence gained by expert
encs and that patriotism attested by the honorable
scars they. wear. 1t is we'll known in the army
that all good soldiers prefer the rigid dscpinariar,
because they know that such an officer is generally
impartial in Judgment, decisive in the exercise of
authority bold in action, and resolute under trials;
and such only will they properly esteem and re-
spect and. such only will they Confidently follow
! through hekaI storm of bullets. ~ T. ~
:. Bot Mr. Editor, it is notSbsolutely necessary to
,reorganize, &c bHin the face of the enemy" after
the campaign opens. The regiments need not wait
until their respectiveterms of service expire. They
were not required to do so in 1882 let Congress
adopt law suffering those regiments whose term
expires or before LIST July toreorganize, consol
didate, and, reeleet officers this sO'nter End 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 of spending
stwo-thirds of their time at home orin hospitals
who have shipked from the battle felds--who have
not the capacity to distinguish discipline from ty
ranny have exercised cruelty bordering on
barbarism-in sword officers who are totally unfit
to command, viii alone offer any serious objection
to such measure as we recommend, or something
similar thereto. These officers, in plumage, but
not in spirit are alone afraid of re- elections Would
it impair the efficiency of the army to displace all
such? Are we to be conscpted for Q war that nay
last ten years and forced to the horrible necessity
Of being commanded by officers whose heroic fol
lies sensual ndhlgences, and intolerable cruelty,
together with their natural mbecility aud weakness
are a disgrace to the profession of armsrs Heaven
forbid The picture is too hideous for eontempia-
sLst,congress, Mr. Editor, do the var.worn vete.
rams the justice to recognize their claims and grant
them the privilege of Reorganization and reelection
of officers; for this indeed constitutes the last
lie Of the volunteers rights and the last vestige of
his rational existence Withhold it not. -.
EsAN OFFICER WHO IS NOT AFRAID OF Re. ELECTIONS.
/ ANOraER RAIIp,,s=-A few days since, four women,