New-York daily tribune., 1865-12-26
A giii 10 Revive the Grade OF General
i'm the Army OF the United states.

When we first read this bill as introduced
into the House by Air Washburne OF ILois, we taxed
our memory and asked all military friends whether
such a grade had existed in the armies Of the
United States.
We coul neither recall IT or hear OF it, and came to
the conclusion that the phrase to revive was OF the
same class as the remuneration of Texas popular
some years ago. True. when Washington commanded
the armies OF the Revolution. before tie Constitution
stabl-hel the Pro sdent CommandcrnC hief OF the
arrics he wcs General; and the late C0nfederacy
wishing 10 asimiate their own 10 the cause OK tue
Revolution. made that grade in their seryice-a bad
imitation of COwt modrl-Oecause they already had
Commander Chit OF their forces IN their President
ike ours.
Aner the adoption Of the Constitution, however.
when tie oOnn,ry desired 10 bestow upon Washington
tie highest military grade. of which no one can be
moro dsserng and after he had been twice elected
President aud Commander inChio IN view OF possible
foreign war aad domes Gc insnrreeton the fathers OF
n e republic called him. the Father of the county, to
the riade Of LeutenantGoneral oniy, assuming tie
President and CommanGerlnCh TO be the only con-
,,ulpal General in the Armies Of the United States
IL IS dinicult to whv such a grade with such
precedent should not satisfy the military ambition Of
Ieside. with a. army Of more than a million Of men
in the field most gigantic war has been most success
fully ended uuder tho command Of Lieutenent-Gen.
erai ouy 80 that it world seem that peace establish
ment OF some fifty thousand men could naraIy require
a higher grade for military reasons.
We are constrained Therefore. 10 examine the bill 10
see tie other purposes for which it was proposed.
Af;cr providing that TIE President may appoint some
I
colonel oi cavalry & further provides that the Chief
~ staff of tie present LieutenentGeneral snail be
i0diy transferred to the Generdl but the General IN
les he present tLeuouaniGeners should be promoted
M 't not desire The present Chief Of StaN who, how
crer orthy as an ohicer and gentleman, has had no
military education but he's been brought NJ q lawyer
and politician one Of class o persons heretofore nuI
specially favored By high officers OF tie army In milf
Tie biIl does not abolish the grade ot Lieutenant.
General and IL the President shall follow tho rule OF
In NJ n
Il = evidently intended he SHALL in the Of the Geu-
ernl Haj0rGcn. liaecs will be raised 70 the Office OF
Lieutenant General = reward for his brilliant
services 10 the country during the consumlna.
tion which might at least provoke discussion.
The bin, after providing that the pay emoluments
and allowances Of ofLeuenantGenera SHALL be increased
rne.half-thIs making the pay of tho General quite
cqua 10 the pay OF the President Of the United States
TO say nch.ag OF his six aids with the rank aud pay OF
A colonel ol cavalry. say some So 900 per year each
lille the President and Commander In Chief is allowed
single private secretary with tue pay o 800 per
vear-prOposes that when the Office Of General shall be-
come vacant BIZ death otlerrse then the &C. shall
expire and the Office be abolished. One cannot escape
The conclusion ii they would, that the bill is simply
persona one Or this Gppeers is fIce plainly as
hit was written a bin TO raise the salary ofthe
LieutonGn. General and bis stad until he dies or IS
elected President Of tho United States and then ,ne
reasonable inference is that there IL Lo man NJ " w.
come General after him.
Now we Weld 10 no man In our full and thoro5gh ap'
probation o. the services rendered to his country ~
the LiegteaaEt.G cnera Of his abilities capapMucs
and tho reward he ought TO receive as proper ona
for them end II We were the nearest anu niost eo
dental friend OF tho Lieutenant.Ceneras u.s. iIueou,
have the kindest relations with hi 9r ms sase we
should advise that the bill do not pas,anu LOT tnese Ies
sons Ii Is already runored that the tours over he eouh
try lately made by the LientenaDt- Genera-whch We
doubt not were for proper purposes oi mary ih'pec
ton although the unohartaD'e 81! ma. 'Delc ctu DC
nnderoten in order that the Office OF General might
beeoma vacant 'slasrpiss' than BY death. iet We