The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-03-09
TIE HONOR OF A SOLDIER.
Faith OF the People In Army and NAVY ofaeers
Shocks Which Cause Reaction.
The PhiIadeInhia North Amarfnan

Faith OF the People In Army and Navy oflReers
Shocks Which Cause Reaction.
The Philadelphia North American
says;
The American people have always re.
gafded the Army and Navy as schools of
hoHor and Integrity. The first great
shock came in 1864, when go many men
whose lives were above ordinary sus-
pici0a, and whose regulations were
deemed sufficient consideration for
Continuance In public service, fell away
from the high standard OF honor and pa
tfiotism and turned their swords against
the Government which had educated
them, and to which many OF them were
indebted for position and maiHtenance.
1t was great shock to tue sensibiii-
ties aud blow at the faith of the people
when Gen. Pillow abandoned his post on
| the frontier and attempted to seduce the
| rank and Tile from their allegiance. Per-
| haps it WAS stiA greater blow 10 their
iaith when Col. II. II. Lee sent back word
| from Richmond that he felt constrained
to cast his lot against the Union. The
blow was all the mere severe, because
when Col. Lee LETT Washington he left
ave" edly for the purpose OF arranging
his affairs in Virginia, preparatory TO
assuming high position in the Union
|
intended TO return to his post. He de-
ceived his most intimate associate and
chief, Gen. Scott, who claimed TO have
/ the fullest assurance ofhis loyalty.
| The resignation of General Joseph e.
| Johnston was another great shock to
| persons in official circles. He hesitated
long, and at last handed In his resigna-
lion, assuring the Secretary, General
Cameron, that while his family relations
rendered further service in. the Union
Army impossible, he would never draw
his sword against the Federal Govern
ment. After Lee and Johnston deserted
their posts iii the hour OF danger, nobody
had any faith in military honor. And it
was this falling away from the standard,
or men supposed to regard all as lost
when honor was lost, that made the pub
lie 80 intolerant toward commanders
who failed in the FIRST days and months
Of the war.
| Popular faith in military men was un-
dermlned, and the officers or the Union
Army were obliged to create new
standard OF honor and fitness before the
Government was able TO make any great
headway in dealing with the rebellion.
No allowance was made for the state OF
utter unpreparedness IN which the Gov
ternment found itself, A deep-seated
feeling of distrustprevaiied everywhere.
A most fatal and senseiess prejudice ex.
listed against the officers OF the Regular
Army. Against all these disabling cir
Icumstances the commanders OF the
Union Army were compelled to struggle
for months and even for years. The
wonder il that we obtained amy victor,
at all.
For distrust OF the educated Leaders
prevailed with the rank and tile. consti
. tuted, as il was in the main, of peopl,
who believed themselves deceived ans
betrayed by the highest officers in thl
Irregular establishment. Then came
time when the people regained thei
, faith in military men. But it did not al
! rive until Fort Donelson had capitulate
i and Pittsburg Landing had been rs
Y trieved. From that time forward th
!, growth OF confidence WAS rapid and SCI
Z dom interrupted. The people becam
/. justly proud 0t Grant, sherman, Thomat
. McPherson, Sheridan, Custer, and Hi
4: patrick, as well as Of host of other
whom we need not pause to name. An
+; when the war closed no other class Q
: men was SO popular or SO highly es
teemed as were the officers of the Army
, From extreme 10 extreme is the law, an,
it may have needed some catastroph
like that which has overtaken the bril-
liant soldier at the head Of the War Vi
tce but yesterday to check The reaction