Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-11-14
lancaster tntelliuPnrer
wEDNxsDAv 4vEn1Na. NOV, IA. Iees,
No Need for tho Grade OF Generel.

No Need for the Grade OF Generel.
When In 1858 Philip II. Sheridan
found profitable, II not congenial, occu'
patton In the Ohio canals, he would
have thought the wonders OF Aladdin
come again, IL he had been told that
there was future for him when the
laws of the country would give him
higher military rank aud the treasury OF
the United States would give him a
salary greater than Washington's.
Almost last In class of fifty at Wet
Point, the dull young lieutenant found
himself of little service in the army of
the United States, and like his friend
Grant fell out to seek his fortune IN
less circumscribed vineyard. During
the FIRST three years of the war his mill
tary education served him little better
than the intuitive aptitudes of scores OF
others who had entered from civil life.
He was resolute, but unenterprisng
soldier, and though he did his prescribed
duties at Stone River, Perryville and
Chickamauga, he did nothing that in
like cases other soldiers would not
have done equally as well.
1t was, however, his goal fortune to
come into congenial relations with
Grant at Chattanooga in the eXer.
else Of military functions or the display
of exceptional sagacity. In the fullnesa
Of time he was translated to the Army
Of the Potomac and, over the gay cheer
of City Point, the good impression made
in the west was confirmed. When
Early made the Valley the storehouse ot
the Richmond rebels, the fragments of
the misdirected armies Of Banks, Hunter
and Sigel were gathered into one effective
force, and, with the addition of two
corps from Richmond, placed under the
supreme control of the lucky raider who
had won the gruff affection Of the com
mander in chief. C0ntendiug with the
shattered corps and half starved mardud
ers Of Early's restless army, Sheridan
more 10y good luck than pelsOnal ad
dress or strategic combination, succeed
ed in throwing the intrepid raider or
the defensive and forever relieved the
childish alarms of the heldquarter
marplots AS to sudden seizure of Wash
iagton, For this prowesS Sheridan was
b. the indulgent partiaIity OF his com.
mtnder given the highest rank
in the regular armies of the
union, and when the grade rf general
WAS revived, Meade. Thomas, Hancock,
R)secrals, Warren, aud half-score
more OF men Of real military genius,
were ignored, aud the rough rider
carried over their worthier heads to the
distinguished post OF lieutenant general
Advanced thus 70 fortune surprising
his widest dreams, even greater honors
we're to fall 10 him. Through the re
trement of General Sherman he steps in,
By vir.ue of his lieutenant generally, to
the command Of all the armies and,
simultaneously with this promotion.
the signal 10 prO'Opg the grad Of general
for him is given, by the politicians of
the Grand Army OF the Republic, The
grade of general was created f1r Grant
and when he vacated il for The Vresi.
dsncy it was continued for General
Sherman, with the acquiescencc Of the
country. Tue reasons, however, which
justified its survival in his case do not
enter into the proposal t. continue Il ful
Sheridan. Shermau's services duriDg
the civil war were Lot second to Grant,
and any honor the country bestowed WIS
well won. There are twenty officers
still surviving who performed more
brilliant achievements than Sheridan.
His fame is Identified with but two or
three operations, in none Of whic h
the highest qualities of commander
were displayed. He has been paid far
beyond his deserts in the rank OF lieuter.
ant general and given recognition due
only to the foremost military abilities in
the rank of general in chief. 1t is in
geniously insinuated that Sheridau's
translation to general will bring the
lieutenant generalcy to Hancock. Thl.
is thrown in to proposes the friends o.
that officer in favor Of the scheme. Bu
no friend OF Hancock will be for mo
ment caught by this bait. General Han
cock stands foremost in the hearts o
his countrymen for intrepid sOldersbip
No promotion can give him more en-
. during fame: aud, thorough Democra
that he is, he would be the last to con
sent to the precedent involved in th
creation Of useless grades in time o
peace. We have no armies to warran
the rank sought to be continued in TN
person o; Sheridan, aud no good Citizel
will seek to perpetuate eLIpty titles
when they cost the public money ant
add nothing to the esteem in whicl
faithful services are held by the coun
try.
THE Democrats i'm tina Jayiglatur