The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-30

Let Them Take "a Back Seat.
The President is being worried almost to
the point of illness by the politicians who
want to be majors. colonies, brigadier gem
erals and even major generals Not one
in a score of them is qualified for the posi-
ton he wants and only a few of them ex-
pect 10 do any fighting. The great ma
jority believe that the war will be short
that the volunteers will never be called on
TO go to Cuba and that the campaign will
be sort of a picnic. A great many
ofsgthese men who want TO command a
brigade or a corps, seek a lItIe cheap
notoriety, which would help them in play
ing the game of politics Many. of them
have made themselves conspicuous during
the last year or two by bowling for free
Cuba, and they contributed great deal
towards bringing on the war with Spain.
They were not animated by a desire TO
sought only to advance their own political
fortunes by trying to make themselves
champions of cause which they thought
was popular.
The time has come for these men 10
take back seat. They have already done.
harm enough. They are not soldiers. and
hence are not fit to lead soldiers. If they
really want to help the country 10 the
present difficulty let them go into the
ranks. They would find many better men
there than they are. The country doesn't
want them as officers.
The raoo,1 vvI,fch r,osf4ioa1 Il ~, -
during the civil war is not forgotten and
is not likely to be. What they cost the
country in blood and treasure win never
be known accurately. but L. is known
near enough to make it certain that their
services are not in demand at the present
time.
There is no reason why the President
shouldn't ignore their applications, and
appoint to important positions only those
who have had experience as 'soldiers-who
are capable of taking care of the men of
their commands and who have ability 10
lead troops in battle. There are such men
and they can be had. They are more mod,
est than the noisy politicians and will not
press their claims The attention of the
President will be directed to them how
ever, If it has not already been, and as
the war has the support of both parties
best for the country He doesn't have to
appoint politicians to secure the influence
of any party or any section of the coun-
try.
1t is said that the applications for the
brigadierships and the major generalships
come almost entirely from the North. The
South is conspicuously modest, notwith-
standing that some of the men best suit
ed for high commands are in the South
II is gratifying to know that the President
has about made up his mind to offer a
major generals commission to Gen Flo
hugh Lee, and also to Gen. Joseph Wheel
er. They are both West Point men, and
they have records al soldiers which justl-
fly the President in giving them high com
mands. There are Southern men who will
be commissioned as brigadier generals
and they will be true and tried soldiers
The South. IS not pushing politicians to the
front for positions. She wants her soldiers
properly cared for and led with judgment
and discretion. She wants them to make
a record for themselves of which the
whole country will be proud Therefore
she is insisting that only men who have
had experience in war; and who have SOL
dierly qualities shall be commissioned TO
lead Southern soldiers. Keep the politi-
clans out of the army, and the volunteers
win make a record with which the coun-
try win have no cause to find fault