The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-02-24
{ NUMBER IS.
Rebel Military Genius.
LoSGsrEEr, JOE JOHNSTON AND THE VACANT
BRIGADIERsIIIPs. -r..f 80.

L From the Springfield Republican
The New York Evening Mail takes Of
tense at the casual remark Of the Repuhli-
can that "many accounts it is to be. regret
ted we arc not yet far enough advance: TO
take advantage Of tn. splendid military tai
ent OF the South, Tho Mail expresses
the opinion that 1.-THE gallant regular officers
graduates Of West Point before the war,
who remained true to the flag" would not
appreciate such magnoLimity. Now, ii
we may venture to assume to know as
much about the regular army as the!Sfail,
we would assert that, setting aside the
single selfish consideration that increasing
the number of applicants would diminish
their own individu.l chances of promotion,
the officers Of that service generally would
give cordial welcome to a fair proportion
Of appointments from among the distiu-
guished soldiers of the South. That fact
alone does not make it right or des rabie. !
nor did we express ourselves finally OF un-
rescrvedly as in favor of such course; but;
only intended give expression to- .;
proper and patriotic feeling ofregret. that
the army of the United States should.
any cause, be deprived OF at least one-half
the highest military talent Of the land
Our difference with the Mail is on two
points. The Mail understands that the
regular army is maintained, ii not chiefly at
least among other things; to rewwaifi the
graduates Of West Point who remained
true in the recent conflict. On the con.
trary, we regard it as the purpose OF al ar
my to have. the most perfect instrument
attainable, for attack or defense against the
public enemy. There are seventeen genet-
i officers in the army, besides Department
tai officers holding that rank. Now We do
not suppose it possible for my sensible
man to assert that seventeen men can be-
taken from the late Union army. and not
i.Icude eight, at least eet us be that much
patriotic) who are surpassed in every MILL
tary qualification by citizens Of tho United
States who followed the Confedes ate for
tunes in the war. Nor does the Mail Sc
riously believe that il EweIl, Longstreet,
Malone or Dick Taylor were to accept
positions in the United States service,
they would, in such reasonable contingency
az it becomes a statesman to consider,
plot against the country, refuse to obey
the orders of their snperiofs, or act any
otherwise than as brave and faithful sol
diers. II this is 80, the reason for exclu-
ding them must be either to punish them
or to reward loyal officers. AS 10 punish
ing any man 1t this time, for participating
in the rebellion, the views Of the Repubai-
can are too well known TO need statement
here. Nor. do we believe that the couu.
try can afford to reward even the most
faithful and well-intentioned officer by
promoting him to position in the mill
tary or civil service, when there is q better
man for the place. II is right to give q
preference, and . considerable preference
TO Union officers; but when it CONES 70 q
choice between Joe Johnston and 8. r.
Heiutzelman, the country sacrifices good
deal for the sake. Of iexarding 10 iDdiifer.
ent sort of hero, il it chooses the lattet.
The second error Of the Mail, as We con-
ceive it, is regarding the admission of late
rebels to the military service as something
peculiarly dangerous. But wbyf Many
|of the Southern officers, it is true, ' went
with their States in the war; but did not
the Southern politicians also Nay,
There was this difference that almost eve
Try Southern officer threw his influence
against secession Until il was Inevitable
and accomplished, while tie politicians de-
sired It, and plotted it, and forced il upon
1.-The people. Take Ewell for example,
lees ablest lieutenant after Jackson.
whom he succeeded. II there was man ii. ,
in the South who honestly deprecated 60
cession, demonstrated against it. and strove
against it to the last, it Was Richard 8.
Ewell. Now. as between the soldier and
The politician in this case, We would trust
the, soldier, and admit him 6rst 70 favor.
Take Longstreet there is not amore truly
reconstructed man in the South than sth;;ss
bold. vigiiant and sagacious soldier. His
loyalty is unohallenged his political dis,-
bilities have been removed by SPECIAL erace
Of Congress were he to enter Congress-
as . Senator from hrs native State, no
would receive o perfect ovation. Bot ii
seems to be regarded a. something kttle,
less than treason 70 express a regret that
the sword Of SO accomplished soldier cav
not be at his country's command Now
this seems to us something very ike non
sense. A disloyal general to-day would
not be half ~ much to be dreaded q de.
loyal Senator yet you shall meet p sS0fa
Of men who will advocate the refrioyd' Of
all political disabilities, to one Who 'darea
TO sDeak above his breath Of abpc;ni;ho
Ewell or Longstreet To commands IN tho
army. We are willing TO admit thst s1Ii,
step would be serious one, and shodli
not he taken without ample deliberation !:
we do not advocate il, in any ssnee as a
thing to b done at once or done ANYHOW ]:
but we shall take the liberty To repeat that
u