The National Register.
London, England, 1808-03-13 00:00:00

the radical improvements which it appeared to demand ;
and the subject has henceforth been sank oblis
The change which Mr. Windham proposed to introduce,
respected chiefly two particulars—First, he abolished en-
tirely the ballot, and proposed to recruit solely by voluns
tart' enlistment. Secondly, he adopted the plan of enlist,
ing for a limited number of years, relinquishing. the re•
ceived mode of enlistment for life. The present Ministry
have departed from his plan, in both these respects. They
had hardly ascended into office, when they reverted to the
ballot, as an instrument so entirely to their heart's desire;
that they could not feel I hems,:lves comfortable without it.
By a clause which has been just now introduced into the
Mutiny Bill, they has e resumed the plan of enlistment for
life, only haying reserved the option of enlistment for a
limited period with an inferior bounty.
Laying aside, for a moment, all regard of the superi-
ority or interiority of the one of these modes to the other,
there arc a few reflections of a very im:iortant nature,
which force themselses upon every considerate mind.
Upon such men as compose the mass of armies of alb
countries, frequent changes have the noer.. pertious
feels. They unhinge and distia:t their minds. They de;
stroy that idea of the II:veil and unalterable obligation of,
military rules, on which military obedience rests. They
destroy that magic of opinioa, ithout which corporal pu-
nishment exasperates rather than reformats. In the course
of two short years; not to speak of our Army of Reserve
I Act, of our Additional Force Act, and other ephemeral ar-
rangements, our soldiers have seen the ballot in full ope-
ration, and all enlistment for life; after this, they saw the
ballot abolished and enlistment for a term of years esta-
blished ; they next behold the ballot resumed, and enlist-
ment for life chosen as the system of Goiertiment. \\
a deluge was once introduced, there was, front its ery
introduction, a most important political reason for adher-
ing to it ; and a wanton subversion could proceed from
nothing hut great weakness, or great knavery. A change,
it is clear, might be so decidedly and so exorbitantly per •
vicious, that it ought to be got rid of at all events. But
were i; a doubtful point between the plan adopted, and'
any other, either old or new, in military atrairs, at least,
the existing institution should be preferred. ignorant must
they be of human nature on whom these views make not
the deepest impression.
The character of Parliament is deeply involved in these
transactions. Since the rupture of the Treaty of Amiens,
Parliament has appeared to he seriously engaged in stud-
lug the amendment of our military system. The im-
portance of the subfect is uncpeakable. What has been
the result of the mature deliberations of ocr National
Council for years, during the mast momentous period of
our history, on the improyemeat of our army ? Cader
the Administrations of Mr. Addington and Mr. Pitt, they
sanctioned, without a seruple, the olditsystetn of the ballot,
and of enlistment ler life When the Administration of
Mr rJA: and Lord Greta% propesei the abolition of the