Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-02-16
SOUTHERN MILITARY GENIUS.
LOBgstreet, Joe Johnston, and
the Vacant Brigadierships.

From the Springfield Mass Republican,
The New York EVening Mail takes of.
fense at the casual remark OF the Replt6-
Zican that "on many accounts it Is 10 be
regretted we are not yet far enough ad-
vauced to take advantage Of the splen-
did military talent OF the South.n The
Mail expresses the opinion that the
gallant regular officers, graduates OF
West Point before the war, who re-
NAMED true to the flag, would not Rppre-
ciste such m8granimity. Now, if we
NAV venture to assume to know as much
about the regular army as the Mail, we
would assert that, setting aside the single
selfish consideration that increasing the
number Of applicants would diminish
their own individual chances Of promo
tion the officers OF that service generally
would give cordial welcome to fair
proportion Of appointments from among
the distinguished soldiers of the South.
That fact alone does not make it right or
desirable; nor did we express lnaily or
ulreservedly as 10 favor of such course /,
but only intended to give expression to
q proper and patriotic feeling OF regret,
that the army OF the United States
should, from any cause, be deprived OF at
least One-half the highest military talent
O. the land.
Our diff renee with the Nail is on two
points. The AGG understands that the
regular army is maintained, If not
chiefly, st least among other things, to
award the graduates OF West Point who
remained true IN the recent conflict. On
the contrary, we regard il az the purpose
of an army to have the most perfect IN
strument GttaiGaDle, for attack or de-
fense against the public enemy. There
are seventeen general officers in the
army, besides departmental officers hold
ing 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 (let Us be that mucn patri=
oticl, who ATe surpassed in every mill
taFy qualification by citizens Of the
United States VINO followed the COnfed-
crate fortunes 10 the war. Nor does the
liaiI seriously believe that if Ewell,
LoDgsIeet, Malone or Dick Taylor were
TO accept positions IN the United States
service, they would, in any such reason
able contingency as it becomes a states
man 10 consider, plot against the cOun-
try, refuse TO obey the orders Of their su
periors, or act any otherwise than as
the reason for excluding them must be
either to punish them, or to reward loyal
IL eers. As to furnishing any man, at
this time, for participation in the rebel
lion, the views OF the Republican are too
well known to need statement mere. Nor
DO we believe that the country can afford
to reward even the most faithful and
officer by promoting
him to a position in the military or civil
service, when there is better man for
the plscs. 1t is right to give prefer
ence, and q considerable preference, to
Union officers but when it comes to a
choice between Joe Johnston and s. 2.
Helm z3lm9D, the country sacrifices a
good deal for the sake Of rewarding an
Indifferent sort OF hero, if it chooses the
latter.
The second error Of the Mail, as we
conceive it, is regarding the admission
OF late rebels to the military service as
something peculiarly dangerous. But
why? Many Of the Southern officers, 1t
is true, went with their States in the
war; but did not the Southern politi-
clans also? Nay, there was this differ
ence; that almost every Southern officer
threw their influence against sec 5ssion
until it was inevitable and accomplished,
while the politicians desired 1t, and plot
ted it, and forced it upon the people.
Take EweIl for example, Lees ablest
after Jackson, whom he suc-
ceeded. II there was man In the South
who honestly deprecated secession, re-
monstrsted against it, and strove against
il to the last, it was r chard s. Ewell.
Now, IS between the soldier and the pol
iticisn ia this case, we would trust the
soldier, and admit him first to favor.
Take Longstreet: there is not a more
truly reconstructed man in the South
than this bold, vigilant and sagacioUs
soldier Els loyalty is unchanged bis
political disabilities have BEEN removed
by special grace OF Congress were he to
enter Congress as q Senator from his ma
tive State, he would receive q perfect
ovation. But it seems to be regarded as
little less than treason TO ex-
press q regret that the sword of 50 accom-
Dlished a soldier cannot be at his coun-
tryis command. Now this seems to US
very like nonsense.
A disI0yal General to-day would not
be half 80 much to be dreaded as q dis
loyal Senator yet yCu shall meet score
Of men who viii advocate the removal
Of ail political disabilities, to one who
iares to speak above his breath of sp-
pointing EReli or LOBgstreet to COM
nands ia the army. We are willing to
admit that SUCH q step would be serious
lne, and should not be taken without
ample deiibersliOnj we do not advocate
IL, in any sense, IS thing to be done at
Dnce, or done anyhow but We shall take
the liberty to repeat tnst it is pity the
United States cannot avail itself of the
splendid military talent of the South
and we bslieve that no long time will
pass before the sole test ia the army or in
the State viii be ability and present 10y
atty. Does anybody suppose that If the
United States we're to be involved in
general war, Massachusetts and New
York regiments would not fight side by
side with the troops Of South Carolina
and Alabama, and under commanders
taken indifferently from the Union and
Rebel armies OF Ave years ago? Ii it
would be safe and proper then, why is it
mr. dav