Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-05
From the Springfield Republican.
Rebel Military Genius.
LoNGsTREET, JOE JOHNSON AND TIE VA.
CANT DRIGADIERsIIlps.

A"o Ne~ 1ofh EVeRaHg NaH takes
offense at the casual remark of the Repub-
lican that "on many accounts i, is to be
regretted we are not yet far enough adj
vanced to take advantage Of the splendid
military talent Of the South" The Nail
expresses the opinion that the gallant re!u.
lar officers, graduates Of West Point before
the war, who remained true 10 the flag,
woald not appreciate such magnanimity.
Now, if we may venture 20 assume to know
as much about the regular army as the
Mail, we would assert thst, setting aside
the selfish consideration that increasing the
number OF applicants would dimiaish their
own individual chances Of promotion, the
officers of that service generally would give
cordial welcome TO Il fair proportion ol
appointments from among the distinguish
ed soldiers Of the South. The fact does
not make it right or desirable nor did We
express ourselves finally or unreservedly as
in favor of such course; but only in
tended to give expression 10 proper aud
patriotic feeling Of regret, that the army
the United States should, from any cause,
be deprived of at least one-lalf the highest
military talent of the land.
Our difference with the Mail IS on two
points. The 1faI understands that the
regular army is maintained, if not chiefly,
al least among other things, to reward the
| graduates Of West Point who remain.d
true in the recent conflict. On the con-
trary, we regard it as the purpose Of an
army to have the most perfect Instruments
attainable, for AL attack or defense against
the public enemy. There are seventeen
general Officers in the army, besides depart
menal officers holding that rank. Now we
do not suppose it possible for any sensible
man to assert that seventeen men can be
taken from the late Union army, and not
include eight, at least Oet US be that much
patriotic0 who are surpassed in every mil
itary qualification by citizens Of the United
States who followed the Confederate tor
tunes in The war. Nor does The Mail
seriously bolieve that if Ewell, L ,ngstrect,
Mohoue, or Dick Taylor we're to accept
positions in the United States service, they
would, in any such reasona BILE contingency
as it becomes statesman 10 consider plot
against the country, refuse to obey the
orders of their superiors, or act any other
wise than as brave and faithful soldiers. II
this is 20, the reason for excluding them
must be either to punish them, or to reward
loyal officers. As to punish any man, at
this time, for participation in the rebellion,
the views Of the Republican are too we'll
known to need statement here. Nor do
we believe Il at the country can afford 10
reward. even the most faithful and well
intentioned officer by promoting him to a
position in the military or civil service.
when there is better. man for the place.
! 1t is right to give preference, and con-
siderable preference to Union officers; but
when it comes to g choice between Joe
Johnston and s.. p. Heintzei=:an, the
country sacrifices good deal for tie sake
of rewarding an indifferent sort of hero, il
il chooses the latter. .; -. ....
| J The second error Of the Mail, as we
conceive it. isregarding the admission oi
late rebels TO the military service as some
thing peculiarly dangerous. But why
Many of the Southern officers, it is true
went with their States ip the war; bu,
did not the Southern politicians also
Nay, there was this difference, that almos
every Southern officer threw his iDanence
: against sseesssion! yuatilI it was: inesisabl'
and accomplished, while the politician
a desired 1t and plotted il, and forced i
j snpaa ths psopls.; ;sTsks Essli Or EXAM
B pie, Less ables, Lisutsaant Alter Jscksos
II whom be ssssssdeds Htthers:Has,a ms,
4 init the South who honestly deprecated %
4 csslion; sioestialsd sgaih aud ssros'
sgsin.1 y teahs l'ss II sss Rshsssa ssL a