The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1821-06-13
Bp aDaii.
GENERAL ORDERS.

WAsBINGToN CITY, juno lst, 1921.
GENERAL ORDER
On assuming the now duties prescribed to
Rim by tho Department OF War, the Major
General considers il duo TO his situation to
direct tho attention of tho army 10 certain
points relative 10 It's discipline and du'ios.
The state OF tho military establishment is
of a nature IA excit& deep concern for IT'S
interests. The minute divisions which 1t
has suffered, from the necessity OF furnishing
1arrisons for the numerous pos!s that line
our inland ADD maritime bordeIs, and the
abfidgement Of the sources of competition,
ihssparable from IT'S dispersed condition, are
alike unfavorable to its discipline. The
principle OF emulation, which, IN combined
forces, has an irresistible operation by
force inherent in itself, IS lost upon bodies
which do not feel the influence contact, and
can find substitute only IN The increased de-
vo,ion Of those who are invested with CON.
maud. Discipline, no longer Doo'ished by
principle of constitutional activity, becomes
in grea, degree dependant for existence on
tho application Of auhoruy by those IN COM
mand, oo the principle Of obedience
in those OF subordinate situations. View
Ing the subjects as he does, the Major
Cenerai cannot ecpress = solicitude Tor
tho prosperity Of the srmy--a solicitude
which is relieved oniy by confidence in
those, by whose cooperation his own efforts
are To be sustained. SubordiDsion IN ao-
,hority is tho essence Of military government,
and II. must be fos,csed by that respectful def
erence, which is duo from all differs to each
other, in their private as well a. in their OF
fetal correspondence.
The Major General feels it bis duty lorci.
oily to enioin on the officers Of the army, the
necessity OF maintaining spirit OF harmony
among themselves. In addition TO the con-
siders,ioo that personal schisms tend directly
20 ths subvo,sion Of military ordsr and disci-
pline, il will be obvious 10 them that their
profession imposes obligations, which 90 not
exist in the other walks OF life. DissentioDs
and controve' sizes among private gentlemen
affect only the characters Of the individual
parties; whilst those an,ong military officers
impair the reputation OF tho body OF which
they are members; and it is but Just to ex.
pcct that every gentleman OF honorsbie sen
,iments will ssciEcc the gratlfica;ion OF his
personal emily 10 the consideration that the
reputation of bis associates will necessarily
be involved 10 the obloQuy which he dsaws
~pon his own. Although il may be alleged
that the dis,inction which has been made be-
ments Of society il an artificial one, aud that
n is deducible rather frnn the popular jeal-
ousy Of military institutions, than from any
principles of reason or justice: an admission
OF the fact would form no argument against
the existence Of the propensity TO charge up.
on the body tho errors Of its constituent
parts and while the propensity exists, it is
the duty Of ell to afford no pretext for its &C.
tion.
The prevalence Of desertion has been an
evil Of serious magnitude, and il does not ap.
pear 30 be justified by view OF the past con-
ditioh Of the military establishment. All re.
search in this field for its causes has been
onsatisfactofy,-rhe character of the militia.
~ profession is honorable [; the soldier is as
we'll provided with comforts as tho citizen in
common life, and his occupation is neither
more offensive nor more laborious. There
are restless, discontcnted spirits in every
sphorc Of Iic, which no induigcncs nor kind.
ness can bind 10 stability , but these exam
piles do not exist in suflicient plumber to JUS
ti!y the range desection has taken 10 the ar.
my. The evil mus be referred, In degree,
20 an Undue severity; or 10 tho absence ct
system in the conduct Of officers towards
their mcn. The ofsisec is the depositary of
the rights Of tho soldier, and the obligations
os his oils as we'll as the laws Of honor and
humanity, claim a faithful execution Of the
trust. When the soldier ceases TO regard
the officer a. his protector, the authority
VITA which the laws investtbs latter loses its
efficacy in his estimation. The surest reme-
DIV for the evil Of desertion is contained in a
rigid and steady discipline. To be ssluta.y
I, must possess both those qualities; bu, no
violation Of law can be doomed essential to
its enforcement. It's effect upon the soldier
becomes impaired tho moMent he feels that
the system which governs him is Aoctus,ioe
in It's conrse, or tha, 1t violates the priDci.
pies upon which it is fouuded. The certain.
" Of laws constitute their principal efficacy,
and, however seveie restrictions may bc,
they are obeyed so Ioog as they are dispensed
BY the hand Of justice, aod 10, OF oppression.
1t should be tho study OF officers TO cult
vate Estimate relations with society, and to
attach the community to tho interest. OF the
army, by mineling, with cifeumspec'ion aud
prudence in those social channels wherein