Washington telegraph., 1865-03-08

=
warmly he may admire it, TO eulegze very
sparlngly the conduct OF those military and
elvll tanctlonarles who surround him. and may
be deemed capable OF affecting his interests.
The world is not charitable, and very prone to
seek the lowest motives of human conduct in
preference TO the higher.
This tendency is well illustrated in the case
OF the General commanding this departmert.
Tie has not escaped the foul breath of calumny,
as what human canl-syen the purest His
military conduct las IN also, in some quar-
tiers, severely and yij Istly criticized sometimes
no doubt in good faith. but often it is to be
feared, from unreasoning attachment TO other
tavoritcs, or the spleen of disappointed schemes
OF traffic OF advancement. This is all wrong.
II onr country is saved, it must be by the unan-
NOUS and hearty support of our military sutho-
rites on the part OF the whole army and people
/. This support should not be given grudgingly,
as if exacted by law. If il cannot have the
strength and vigor of spontaneity, let us at least
afford it the aid OF careful culture. We should
school ourselves TO think well and charitably of
them: to suppress resentment ef private griev-
ances: ami most especially 10 discard unfounded
rumors or hasty charges of Irresponsible men.
kVyry. one who knows Gen. Smith perspp-
ally, or has known him before will at once re-
cognize the absurdity of attributing 10 him any
conduct unworthy christian a gentleman,
and the much greater absurdity of supposing
tudl Uc hOuiO GO any ACT 10 IAulSn the DIl1-
| liant military reputation, which secures him
not only place and power, which to the patri.
etic are minor considerations, but also the con-
hdenee and esteem of his countrymen, and the
gratitude of pcsterity. We have not wished to
say this. But it is necessary and just With
ri ID to his military and administrative capa-
e !, we may speak with less reserve.
q Take calm survey of this department as it
was when he arrived; review dispassionately
its subsequent fortunes. Reflect upon its pre-
sent condition, and say if We have not reason
To Congratulate ourselves that ne was sent
amongst US. Ask yourselves calmly for whom
he could be exchanged, that we are likely to
get, and think how sad il would be if by
our murmurings and caHlors, and open and
| secret opposition. he should be- compelled by
sense OF digaity 10 ask relief; aud should be
substituted by some EIntried man, who might
ruin all we yet retain, and hold SO securely.
With the exception OF Gen. Msgruder's I'M
| portant re-conguest of Galveston, and Gen.
| Greene's very handsome affair at Berwick 5
| Bay, the fortunes OF war had been adverse to
| US here before the arrival of Genersl Smith to
take command early in the year 1903. From
| the North and East and New Orleans, heavy
masses of soldiers threatened and the whole
| Texa coast and the Rio Grande, as we'll as the
| Arkansas, Were, as subsequent efforts proved,
marked by the enemy for destruction. This
| WAS felt and understood, and looked forward to
with fear and trembling. 1t cannot e con
cealed, too, that it was about that time consid-
cred that this department WAS neglected by the
government 1t was spoken of as the Botany
Ray Of Incompetent officers. This was derisive
and unjust, fer we had many of the abIest
| generals in each of the States who have since
covered themselves with glory. But they acted
without concert or unity, and their armies were
disorganized and undisciplined. The material
was there truly-material of the bravest, as has
/ since been roved but It lacked the controlling
power to consolidate It into force. Confidence
WIS shaken in the disposition of the Confede
racy to protect us. We Were losing Oh every
hand and the citizens looked across the rivcl
and longed for the peaceful security of the in
ternai cities and districts of the more Eastern
States. Not one OF us here believed our forces