Washington telegraph., 1865-03-22

/ tins letter. W hist we ars not disposed to
diminish one perticls of ths admiration justly
D. slowed upon ether generals, we are satisfied
that she Efforts made to disparage Gen. smitb.
whether prompted by honest conviction, or an
unfair and unxenerous spirit, ara sqSally = n
'just to him and detrimental to tn, psblic SER
| vice.
| We have been panied 10 see the Richmsxd
/ papers 1t this crisis in fortunes, engaged
without any in,n .diats esuse. or present ncces-
sity1 IN fassllsf up the cid ashes of events long
| esst, to find sparks to kirdle an excitement
/ gsinst the Commanding General OF this de-
I artnent. What has prompted this VIC cannot
| & II, and it would BIS unfair 10 suspect. We
&c areely think that it vas wholly spontaneous,
OF at all necessary. The people of Virginia are
nu eh absorbed just raw in thsir own sT.iF..
and not very com retent judges of The military
adm. uistration of desar.Laent oas Thousand
| miles away and cut Of iron any sat acei2en.al
GONNA inicaticn. The Presiasn. and Cabinet
| DO not resort TO newspaper articles for Tie in
! fornaii 'n by waich they determine the comps
sency al d fidelity of those subject to their or
!srs, nor should they. ..-- 1--
Prompt d by whatever motive. however, she
object of 81 is Sudden opening upon Gen. Smith
st Richmon IN concert with those who disap-
prove his CO, rse en- this side, is snuisakabls.
L. il to bring ush force Of public epiaioz TO
bear, as Is pro,'uss al. reno .sl frcn shis cora
| maud.
| That viii bs Al unfortunate day for the de-
partrnen.. Mark tho prediction, should it un-
Fortunately happen. Even should We get 8
better man, which \, not st all probabl., tie
precedent would BE destructive sf all harmony
aud concert of actor. aa. .e--l .-.-
ssd work, indeed weuli result from this
rnede of appointing aud relieving Generals. 1t
doe, fer politicians 10 times Of peace, whom
hsrnony Of opinion is by no means desirable
sAd the pespls are the constitutional tribunals
10 which questions Of pulley are referred. Bus
there arc limits to all things Ths very checks
and counter checks which in peace form the
brs: safeguards of pubic virtue, beseu;s in
time Of var destructive oil all active, energetic
effort in any direction. inducing 4 wsakaess,
under which any natisn bfccm5s any sssy prey
to the enemy. Whilst the psopls ultimately
| rule all .hinea, mould ths!r aN1 constitutions
| set up and take down .heir own President and
Congressnen, and hold them strictly sscoun +
able at the Or Of public opinion, il 10 not only
fitting, but in The high Neat degree Indispensable
| 20 their own national existr.cs tha. the pcople
render ready obedience to the Laws, and shssr-
fully sustain, without litigation ,r di:cord. these
peilit.ry agrrts, the .pScintmcnt cf which, con-
fding il his judgment and iatesrity. thsy have
entrusted to the President a.s.- ..,
/ TAis wise theory OF our government, which
nc rejecting rlan can deny, is thuarted at once
when tho people, dissatisfied Or impatient,
| elansr amongst themselves, and excited by tbs
! press, array themselves into pal..is. for and
against military COMMANDERS, demanding their
removal OF appointment in the facs Of an eaemy,
and rhen every consideration of national or
personal safety demands the energy which can
| only rrsult from : concentration no. only o.
setisn, but cf the rind and hearts of all tn.
people.
we have Sigh. fears. Of President Davis IN
this regard He is man firm of purpose sad
rot easily swayed by passion. We may :. as
sured tha, ne " III keep open al prefer chan ael'
| ef information, and calmly decide al question,
with due of his high respe a.i6ility tc
/ bis country in its hour of peril He would b,
unworthy Of the confidence reposed in him BY
the people, were he to permit sye-y burst o.
popular feeling to sweep from their places .hoa,
whom hs has placed there for the public good
Hs would feel the mcckery of being entras.s:
/ with discretion, sad shnartc1 in its exercise
The danger il, that excsllent generals find
ing their plans discsncsrtsd. or weakly sup
| ported, their motives miscenstrued, and then
| popular ccnsure, may, from self respect, and
sense of delicaey, more pardonable than CEN
| nendaLle ask for relief, and their services be
come lost at sEy most critical ho,r. Therefor
| it is, that we have erdeavored to old havin,
any preferences for the military fortunes of an
particular general, however pleasant OR s.cia
relations, OF however srdently ro mag adnir
his virtues or abilities. We eadeavor to reg.r
him or any who may succeed hin, az the dul
appointed instrument for the salvation of on
county, and foel bound, regardless of persona
relations, TO sustain him whist in his place, g
far as We can do go by concentrating publ
opinion in the support Of all mis- lawful publ
acts. and repressing all discord with regsrs t
them, amongst tAe psosle feeling confident tn
while, that any corruption or incompetenoy ma
BIS properly brought to the notice of his supe
riors, and that the remedy will be spilled wit
more judgment and justice than is possible b
means of popular ezciIement. At the sam
time We always stand ready with pleasure, t
join with our csurtrynsn in be steriny ou
varsaesi appreciation for whatever Is wise, an
gallant and noble in their conduot, makin
those generous impulses which we all ,houl
cul.ivato, tho cement of that solid and cssces
tratad support which is 30 essential to their pub
| lie utility.
Al the same time va would not hide .ingl
defect sr cloak single error. Let then all b
exposed il tho clearest light, but let it be don
with proper deliberations. upon proper evidence
and before The proper .fitgaal Our s.atesnlsl
whs framed eur constitution, and make our law
have no. considered public opinion the prope
tribunal before which Niiitary con unapdsr
sheuld be tried and aeposed. We ttiiak the
are right 20 - .i A.
Lei Us be faily understood We sincersl
hope tsas no word of eornmendstion We eve
have, OF may ever hereafter uttsr, will be di,
engenuoes, or prompted by policy That i
| yestb.4r bor n or VI