The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-30
Proposition to Place General R, E, Lee
inCommand of the Rebel Armies,
TIE WISDOM AND VIRTUE OF
JEFF. DAVIS DOUBTED.
TIE WAR IN THE EAST.
Winter Campaign Against Augusta,
Charleston and Richmond
Feared by the Rebels,
THE GREAT RAID
Lee t6bc Presented 10 the COnfederRey Rs
q C0mmander-In-ChieG or dictator.

Lee t,fbc Presented 10 the COnfederaey Rs
q C0mmander-io-ChteT or dictator.
From he Richmond Examiner, Dsrem'sr ~.
Ifthe armies of the Confederate States are in
deed about TO be presented, by way Of Christmas
gilt, with General Lee for their Commander in
Chief It will not only be a most appropriate AMI
agreeable present to them, but % she country IL
viii be such a relief as will elab'e US all %
breathe more freely, and to the enemy terror
and warning. Both COnteuCrates and Federals
will feel ut once that hand both strong and
steady ia laid upon the wheel, that it means hus-
ness and battle, and will make their arrangements
accordingly.
capable OF an act so sane and wise, which may
he Greatly doubted. IL is also based on the sup
position that the order appointing General Lee TO
the full command and control Of all military
operations is real, complete, uncOniiuDnIt; that
he is to plan campaigns, and to appoint generals
10 conduct them; that be Is to decide what p.aCes
are TO be evacuated, and what held. IL Is uOt
probable thai he would accept an appointment ni
the kind on any other kind OF terms that would
he charging himself wh u responsibility aud
perhaps an odum without the means and au'hO-
riy needed to achieve success. He WJlId
scarcely consent TO he set mp as stalking horse,
or TO be used as n generals cloak"
The nrsr and most obvious OF the whoes lme
III cts OF this measure would be the firm assu-
rance which would AZ once grow up in the minds
OF our own people that the strength and
resources of the land will now be ap-
Piled in the wsest and most efficient mIu-
| Ier; and that each separate command will be
placed In the hands best able 70 weld IL, vi, )ut
favor or ailt ctOn We shall know, then, AT least,
! that our independence will not be uiueu away
that the cau'e will not be treated as secondary
| anoir-tte primary business being the grathc =
/ tiOn OF me personal pique, or jealousy, or spite
! MANY good citizens VINO have sustained hOlr
part m his Struggle from the first have yet, OF
/ late, had moments Of miseiying and despon.
| dency not that they doubted Ot the justice an
VITALITY of the cause or of the energy and self
| sacrifice Of the pe0pe, but they have said u
| tbemse YES " hat is the use OF II all My not
these very armies that we have tol ed 20 raise and
| cQup--these armies that hold within them
| the life aUd destiny of the country, DO sent
! on some fools erraud and placed under
| command of some fourth rate officer, who mus
| be mace into u great general ana c)nlu'rDr,
/ whether nature Will or not, and SD all DO ruined
/ and un6Oue3 We say only wlat many reader
! will feel 10 be sadly true, In affirming that dark
, doubts and surmises like these have sometimes
| hroodcd over enterprises Of great pin and mo
/ utnt, and caused men 10 shiFer WIN prcmOll'
| tory chill. Now, II General Lee consents 20 tlya
/ the lending staii of comm nd into his hn ls aud
| TO charge himself with the duty Of seeing 20 II
! that the republic suffer no detriment, tuare Will
/ be- an end OF those painful forehol,ngs, and the
popular heart will beat higher and sic more lightly
| on its throne.
Needless TO say that the Urmie7, not mere y thi
/ Army of Northern Virginia, which has 81 long
! known and followed is trusty CD et, OuE all IN
| fore OF the CoDiedaTacy everywhere, wi eagerly
8 il such an appointment, The way he bids then
! 20 they will tread with assured faith the lead Il
| he bids them follow they will foll0R through
! blood and flame. Armies are iuGllliJle jules Ol
| Ih,ir commanders, and feel when they are uudcI
| the right man by a sure instinct
Perhaps the most marked effect Of AL however
! WOuld be the effect upOn our enen es or this new
power vested in General Lee. They will under,
staud from Il that there Is 70 be no chids play -
that this experienced and invincibe soldier doe
not take our affairs in hand W ithout full I'VE
and stern determination 70 bring out all the hgh'
ing force of the country and make the ruth an t0'
dearly rue the day when they made this struggle
| a war of determination. General Lees name I
specially connected with one measure Of military
eeessity now before Congress, which he ha