The National tribune., 1906-07-26

and the ways Of honor should have done
1t. The only explanation Is that after
leaving the Army Halleck had spent
many years in the practice Of law in
California at a time of feveris.s specula-
ton, when all codes were unsettled and
almost anything was tolerated that
brought success. The ethical tone in
California during those days Of stress
and storm was very low. and Halleck's
remarkable success in winning out OF
their turbulence handsome fortune in
mining properties shows not only that
he had force of character and ability,
but that he adapted himself to the ways
OF the times and country. and probably
did not lose anything on account Of
over-nice scruples.
When Gen. Grant received Halleck's
letter holding out this inducement for
promotion he quietly folded 1t up and
deposited 1t in his files without a reply
or word Of comment. Not 80 Rosecrans
1t was too good an opportunity to get
back" He lost no time in writing a
letter which must have incensed Hal
leck to the utmost. In It he informs
the Genera!-in-Chief that las an officer
and as a citizen he felt degraded at
such an auctioneering OF hOnors," and
then adds: Have we a General who
would fight for his own personal bene-
fit when he would not for honor and
his country? He would come by his
commission basely in that case. and
deserved to be despised by men Of hon.
or. But are all the brave and honorable
Generals on an equality as to chances? :?
II not. 1t u unjust to those who prob
ably deserve most"
"a Soft Answer"
Again Halleck showed himself a let
| ter writer Of quite as much talent as
Gen. Rosecrans. and his reply Is fine
example Of the soft answer which turn
eth away wrath:
Headquarters Of the Army. Wash
ington. March 13. 1863.
Maj. Gen. Rosecrans. Murfreesboro:
General: The names of yourself and
others were presented to the War De-
rartment for Major-Generals In the
Regular Army The Secretary decided
that he would not I'LL the vacancy till
some General could claim 1t as q re-
ward for a complete and decisive VIC
tory. This decision was briefly an
nounced to ycu and others whose names
had been urged. To this note you. on
characterizing the announcement OF the
Secretary's decision as an 'auctioneering
| Of honors' II this be so, the General
Order Of the President announcing that
he would appoint Brigadier and Major
Generals only for distinguished services
IN the HelO Is also Ill ductiOHeeTlnS Oh
| honors,' and should have melted equal
Indignation. Before receiving your let
ter l had not supposed that Govern
ment which offered and bestowed Its
highest offices for military success eth
er deprecated patriotism. encouraged
baseness or bartered away honor. When
last Summer. at your request, I urged
the Government to promote you for
success in the field. and, again at your
request. urged that your commission be
Virginia. thought l was doing right In
advocating your claim TO honors fol
services rendered.
Very respectfully, your obedient SER
: want,
H. w. Halleck, General-in-Chief."
Il The Administration's Urgency.
I The next conflict came over the ur.
/, gency Of the authorities at Washington
, for the Army Of the Cumberland to dc
something decisive. It was the second
largest army Of the United States, and
! occupied a highly important and centra
: position, with the Army OF the Potomac
: on It's left flank and the Army OF the
I Tennessee on Its right. Its advance
would help the other two. The Admin.
} istration felt that II had been liberal t6
the Army Of the Cumberland In men
J equipments and supplies. and naturali,
desired results from such an expensive
Organization. Rosecrans had announced
} that he had won q great victory at Stone
River, and reinforcements were sem
, him sufficient to more than repair the
, losses he had sustained. It seemed mol
Unreasonable 80 expect tb4t Il he hed