NUMBER 3l
{"newspaper_name": "State journal & flag.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
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The President has been censured, for passing by the graduates of West Point, in selecting officers for the mounted regiment authorized by congress, and conferring ap. poin;ments on civilians. We see no good ground of objection in this act; but On the contrary, a prudent forecast. which, alho' it may offend few officers of the army, will please the people generally. The re- cent extraordinary conduct of Gen. Scott, in first declining the command of the army on the Rio Grande, and next soliciting it as his right, will go far to weaken the influ- ence of West Point officers with the people. Military, like civil appointments, nnder our government should be open 10 all classes of citizens. IL is of frequent occurrence, that men, who have been engaged in the ordinary pursuits of fife, have made the very best army officers. There are now in our army quite numbe of able and efficient officers, who were appointed by the late de. mocratic administrations; and of the officers actively engaged in the battles of the 6th S 9th, but small numher are graduates ofW. Point. The oitl, CTS of the mounted regiment are said, by those who know them, to be skllful, and active soldiers-and the selec- lion of such men is what the country, at this Juncture, required at the hands of the Pre- sldcnt. The editor of the South Caroiniah says--that Gen. Smith, on whom the com. maud of the regiment has been conferred, twas distinguished as the most efficient and serviceable commander in Florida, whilst he was serving there at the head of his reg lrnent of Louisiana Volunteers. Gen. Scott said to a distinguished friend of ours who held high grade in the volunteer forces, that he regarded him as the most talented military man whom he knew, possessing uncommon knowledge, and all the requisites of valiant and successful military lead. cr.' To this testimony we have the re- cent appreciation of his services by Gen. Taylor. wbo requested that he should head the endorsements sent to his aid from Louisiana