Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-31
Wanted. a miiitarv Dictator.

Wanted, a Military Dictator.
From the Richmond Examiner, Dec. 27
IL the armies OF the Confederate States are
indeed about to be presented, by way OF Christ
mas gift. with General Lee as their Oommaa-
der.in Chief, 1t will not only be most appro-
pirate and agreeable present to them, but TO
the country IL will be such relief as VIII
enable US all to breathe more freely and to the
enemy q terror and warning. Both Coincide
rates and Federals will feel at once that q hand
both strong and steady Is laid upon the whect,
that 1t means business and battle, and will
make their arrangements accordingly.
This is on the supposition that Mr.. Davis Is
capable Of an act SO sane and wise, which may
be greatly doGbted. 1t is also based on the
supposition that the order appointing Gen.
Lee 10 the full command and control of all
military operations is real, complete, uncondt-
tional; that is he is to plan campaigns and ap-
point generals TO conduct them; shat hs Is TO
decide what places are to be evacuated and
what held 1t is not probable that he would
accept an appointmen OF the kird or any 9TH
self with responsibility and perhaps an odiu N
without the means and authority to achieve
success. He would scarcely consent to be set
upa king horse or to be used as a ''sene-
rails cloak"
The first and most obvious of the wholesale
effects of this measure would be the firm as
surance which would at once grow mp In the
minds of our own people, that the strength and
resources OF the land will now be applied in
the wisest and most efficient manner; and that
each separate command will be placed in the
hands hest able to WELD il, without favor or
affection. We shall know, then, at least, that
our independence will not be trifIed away;
that the cause will not be treated as secondary
affair, the primary business being the graft
fication of some personal pique, or Jealousy, or
spite. Many good citizens who have sustained
their part IN this struggle from the first have yet,
of late, had moments OF misgiying and depon-
dency; not that they doubted of the justice and
vitality Of the cause, or of the energy and self
sacrifice Of the people; but they have said to
themselves, What is the use Of 1t all
Nav not these armies tn at t0Ila1
to raise and equip, these armies that hold with
in them the life and destiny of the country, ba
sent on some fools errand, and placed uhder
command of some fourth rate officer who must
be made into great general and CONC uerer,
whether Nature will or not and so all be ruined
and undone7 We say only what many read
will feel to be sadly true, in affirming that
dark doubts and surmses like these have some
times brOoded over enterprises Of great pith
and moment, and caused men TO SILVER with
premonitory chill. Now, If General Lee con-
sents to take the leading staff Of command into
his hands, and to charge himself with the duty
of seeing to it that the Republic suffer no detri-
ment there will be an end OF those painful
forebodings; and the popular heart Will beat
higher and sit more lightly on it's throne
Needless to say that the armies, not merely
this army of Northern Virginia, which has so
long known and followed its trusty chief, but
all the forces OF the Confederacy everywhere,
will eagerly hail such an appointment. Tha
way he bids them GO, they will tread it with
assured faith; the leader he tells them to follow
they will follow through blood and flame.
Armies are infalible Judges of their command.
ers; and feel when they are under the right man
by a sure instinct.
Perhaps the most marked effect OF all. how
ever, would be the effect upon our enemies, Of
this new power vested in General Lee. They
will understand from it that there is to be no
child's play, that this experienced and in vinci-
BILE soldier does not take our affairs ia hand
without full power and stern determination to
bring out all the fighting force OF the country
and make the ruffian foe dearly rue the day
when they made this struggle a war OF exter-
mination. General Lees name is specially
connected with one measure of military neces-
sity, now before Congress, which he has strong
ly urged should be passed. We trust it will be
passed, after being first enlarged and amended
to his mind. The very conception of that
measure implies grim resolve. When he de-
mands negro soldiers, be assured he means to
go Through"
Therefore upon every ground we shall re-
joice and the whole Confederacy with us. il
General Lee should be charged with this high
duty. The enemy ia now certainly pressing us
hard and at many points Destruction and
ravage are the settled war policy of the
Yankees; and each march or movement is held
to be grand success, If it leaves behind a
abroad track Of desolation." The burning of
houses which might afford shelter to ssrebels,"
the destruction OF food which might feed
''rebeIs,' and thus feed the rebellion, the star
walton OF children, Who might else grow ND
into ''rebels'-this is the utterly fendish sys-
tenn ef warfare which has been deliberately
placently narrated in bulletins, and which is
now in actual course of application to our
country wherever our fell invaders plant their
feet.
Sherman, after turning wide region OF Geor.
gia into naked and bowling desert, promises
his cOuntrymen to leave as broad q track Of
desolation through South Carolina. Even in
this mid winter, also. there is no relax alton
whatever in their military enter prises against
us by sea and land; no winter quarters for
them: On the contrary, they are campaigning
at a large number of points, and with more
venomous activity than at any former moment
of the struggle. We, also, on our side, must
brace every nerve and sinew, and collect all
our force 10 hurl back and destroy those foul
invaders: and as one vigorous step in that di-
rection it would be satisfactory to see the gov
eminent OF the army entrusted altogether to
Gen. Lee.