Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-10-09

in rigid and steady discipline. 10 be
salutary, it must possess both these
qualities: but no violation of law can be
deemed essential to its enforceme emit
Its effects upon the soldier becomes inn
paired the moment he feels that the sys-
TEN which governs him is fluctuating in
its course, or that it violates the princi-
Piles upon which it is founded. The GER
tainty Of laws constitutes their principal
efficacy, and, however severe restrictions
may be, they are obeyed so long as they
are dispensed by the hand Of justice, and
not of oppression"
This censure is too general to be just.
The time at which it is made, and the
source whence it comes, have astonished
every generous soldier.
The part which attributes, i" in de-
gree to an undue severity, or to the abb
sence Of system in the conducto officers
towards their men," the unexampled
prevalence of desertion in our army, SO
far as relates to the division of the South,
do unhesitatingly say is not founded in
fact. 1t is due to candor and truth to at-
tribute this evil to its real cause. This
will be found to exist in the want of adc-
| quate punishment for the crime of de-
sertion. That, prescribed by law in a
state of peace, transcends the offence,
and no other certain punishment is au-
thorized. While this is the case, deser-
ton will increase, let the conduct of the
| officers towards their men be ever SO le-
nient. 1t is we'll known fact, that more
| assertions have taken place at recruiting
rendezvous, than have occurred in the
regiment; and at no recruiting rendez-
vous in the division of the South, has
there been, as far as am informed, any
punishment inflicted upon soldiers, ex-
cepting by the civil authority. 1t is well
known that, in many instances, the SOL
der has found it source Of speculation
to go from rendezvous to rendezvous,
enlisting, receiving the bounty, and de-
sorting. In some instances this has been
practised from Boston to New.Orleans.
The punishment at present inflicted
for desertion is hard labor with the Ball
and Chain; but this bears more heavily
upon the faithful soldier, who is compel
led TO guard the convict under a hot sun,
with all his accoutrements on, than it
does upon him whom it is intended to
punish. Every desertion, therefore, but
adds to the duties, and increases the fa-
tigues of the faithful and trusty soldier.
And suppose the convict will not labor,
| by what means is he to be coerced g.
Stripes and lashes are prohibited; there
are no dungeons guard houses are
pleasant places for the lazy, worthless
soldier, who sleeps and shores while the
faithful sentinel is at his post, on his
nightly watch, guarding him. Is not
this, with the general pardons so often
extended by the orders OF the President,
calculated to cause the best soldiers, who
are oppressed with double duty in guard
ing the worst, to mediate desertion also.
The government must annex an ade-
quate and certain punishment for the
crime ofdesel ton; and, experience COM
pels me TO say it, although at variance p
with the more refined and sensitive feel
ings of the day-must restore corporal
punishment in the regulations for the
government of the army, as it formerly
existed, and as it now exists in the navy,
or desertion and INSTRUMENTATION will still
increase. But it is said to be dishonor-
able. Why should it be more SO in the
army than in the navy? Is it more dis
honorable to receive twenty-five stripes
and be ordered to immediate duty, than
TO be marched with chains for months
and years, all object of disgust to every
freeman who sees him, more properly an
appendage of ancient despotisin, than
any thing belonging to republican insti-
tutions Let the deserter in time of
peace, for the first offence, receive thir-
ty-nine stripes, for the second double
that number, and for the third let him
feel the highest penalty Of the law. I
will venture to say, that few examples
will put an end to that extraordinary fire.
quency of desertion which at present
prevails, and the cause Of which, has
been SO unjustly imputed "to an undue
severity, or to the absence of system in
the conduct Officers towards their men,"
/ sincerely regret the cause which has
given rise to these remarks, but the re-
putation Of those officers, in common
with whom have encountered SO many
tolls and dangers, is dear to me; and l
cannot remain silent, when I perceive an
unjust attempt to tarnish their well-earn-
ed fame, let the motives which dictated
the Objectionable passage in the order be
what they may. These remarks, my
brother officers, flow from pure source
Of justice to you. Popularity l have
never sought. ! have pursued the course
- L u L.