Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-12
A Chance for Glory.
CMashington PostD

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A regiment Of would-be officers Is the
patriotic and timely suggestion OF the
Charleston News and Courier. 1t Is
valuable contribution to current war lite
nature. and although offered with special
reference to South Carolina, it is equally
applicable 10 various other States. the
occasion which gave birth to this excel
lent proposition was the receipt OF a let
ter from General NJ. G. Butler, late
senator from the Palmetto State, to whom
the President has given a major-generais
commission because of his attested Mt
ness-or, as the News and Courier aptly
puts it, his skill and courage as SOLDIER
and officer" These qualities were dis
played I'm the heated argument that be-
gan at Fort Sumter early in 1861, ana
practically ended at Appomattox in April,
1865 1t was the same discussion III
which Fitz. Lee and Joe Wheeler took
part.
AS soon as the appointment OF General
Butler was announced storm OF dppll-
cations for staff positions began to pour
in upon him. They came by day and by
night. by mail, by telegraph, and by pri-
yate conyeyances. The storm increased
i'm volume and force, adding largely to
the postal revenues and the net income
of telegraph companies. The number OF
applicants quickly swelled into hundreds
and threatened TO rise into thousands.
10 say that General Butler was astonlsh-
ed would not convey an adequate ldea OF
his feelings. lie was amazed, confused,
ddnfounded, but he was not frightened, for
a man who has often faced 'leaden rain
and iron hail" can stand erect under the
fercest paper bombardment.
And he was sorry. He knew that sons.
grandsons. and nephews of his old COM
rades made up a large proportion OF the
great array of young men who desired
service on his staff. But he was power
less to crafty them. In the first place.
he was not authorized to make his STAN
appointments. In the second place, he
realized that If he had been clothed with
full authority in the matter he could not
have a staff as numerous as the rank and
file of a brigade He pondered on the
situation for a little time while the storm
OF applications was swelling like the flood
that beat on the roof OF Noahs historic
craft, and then he wrote letter. in which
| he begged the editor OF the News and
| Courier to announce for him that his
staff would be made up by assignments
| from the different corps Of the army; that
| he had mo further control over II than
| 10 request the assignment OF some par
|
| service will sometimes prevent this be-
| ing complied with"
The News and Courier, in giving pub
| ucitv to General Buffers answer 70 the
swarm of applicants, blandly remarks:
There Is room, however for lighting
men In the ranks, and 1t would be al
! honor 10 serve as priyates under Butler
command. We have heard a great dea
| about state regiments, immune reSi
| ments. colored regiments, but there ha'
been no offer so far Of regiment o.
/ would-be officers. There are enough o
| them TO make a division or corps, an'
| il would be d distinction to belong 10 sucl
a command. We have no doubt that Gen
| eral Butler would undertake TO leaC
| them. and in the present struggle th'
| patriot should esteem it privilege Il
| fight in the ranks. not as South Carolin
| ians, or Georgians, or MaTylanders, o.
| Massachusetts men. but as Americans
| We only wished. however, TO emphasize
| General Buffers statement, that he ha
| no staff appointments 20 make"
| So far as personal comfort is concerned
a staff position is decidedly preferable
| 10 that OF an enlisted man. Between thu
4 private soldier and the lowest grade Of
| commissioned officer there is -grea
| gulf fixed" But there Is one advantage
| in going into the ranks. Inc clllZeh Wn'
| accepts that place proves his patriotism
| beyond the shadow of a doubt. He takes
| higher ground and deserves better of hi
| countrymen than the young man who VII
not fight for the old flag unless he car
| get a commission.
The Post hopes-or, rather, would b.
| glad 70 have reason for hoping-that thu
| News and Courier's suggestion of a regi
| ment of would be officers will blossom
abundantly and bring forth fruit. Their
are chances for fame in the ranks. Th'
men who went with Hobson on the Mer
rimac are immortal. Their posterity 70
centuries will catCel the reflection OF th'
glory of that great achievement