Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-06-12

the prosperity OF The army-a soiic',uue
which is relieved on,y by confidence Ia
those, BY whose cooperation his own efforts
are to be sustained. Subordination in au-
thority is the essence Of military govern
ment, and it must be fostered by that re-
spectful Difference, which IS due from all
officers to each other, in their private as
in their official correspondence.
The Major General feels it his duty sens'-
bly to enioin on the officers Of the army the
necessity of maintaining spirit OF hal mony
among themselves. In addition to the con-
sideration that personal schisms tsnddirectIy
to the subversion Of military order and dis
eipline, i. will be obvious to them that their
proft ssion imposes obligations, which do
not exist in the other walks of life. OLSEN
tons and controversies among private gen.
tlemen effect only the characters OF the IN
dividual parties while those among militia
ry officers impair the reputation Of the body
OF which they are members; and it is but
just to expect that every gentleman OF hon.
orable sentiments will sacrifice the gratih-
cation Of his personal enmity to the consid.
GRAFTON that the reputation OF bis associates
will necessarially be involved NTH obloquy
which he draws upon his own. Although
it may be alleged that the distinction which
has been made between The military and
the other departments ofsociety is an arti
fetal one, and that it is deducible rather
from the popular Jealousy o. military insti.
turlons, than from any principles OF reason
orjustice; an admission Of the fact would
form no argument against the existence of
the propensity to charge upon the body the
errors Of its constituent parts; and while
the propensity exists, it is the duty Of all to
afford no pretext for its action.
The prevalence Of desertion has been an
evil of serious magnitude, and it does not
appear to be justified by a view Of the past
condition of the military establisbment.-
All research in this field for its causes has
been unsatisfactory The character of the
military profession is honorable: the soldier
is as well provided with comforts as the CT
tizen in common life, and his occupation is
neither more offensive nor more laborious.
There are restless, Disconnected spirits in e.
very sphere of life, which no indulgence nor
kindness can bind to stability; but these
examples do not exist in sufficient number
to Justify the range deserlion has taken in
the army. The evil must be referred, in
degree, to an undue severity. or to the abb
sence of system in the conduct of officers to-
wards their men. The officers is the dep
ositary of the rights of the soldier, and the
obligations of his Office. as well as the laws
of honor and humanity, claim faithful ex-
ecutiCn Of the trust. When the soldier cea-
ses to regard the officer as his protector, the
authority with which the laws invest the
latter loses its efficacy in bis estimation -
The surest remedy for the evil of deserton
is contained in rigid and steady discipline.
To be salutary it must possess both these
qualities, but no violation of law can be
deemed essential to its enforcement. Its
effect upon The soldier becomes impaired the
moment he feels that the system which GO
verns him is huctuating in its course, or
that it violates the principles upon which
il is founded. The certainty OF laws consti-
tute 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.
1t should he the study Of officers TO cult
vate intimate relations with society, and to
attach the community 10 the interests of the
army, by mingling, with circumspection and
prudence in those social channels wherein
the sympathies OF individuals naturally flow.
The objects Of military service are of ma
tional concern, and il is but rational that
there should!be an intimacy between the ma
tion and the agents to which its external de.
fence is entrusted. The affections Of the ma
ton. constitute the only certain and perma-
nent basis upon which the military establish
ment can build its reputation. Under 60
vernmeht whose whole efficacy is dervatIve.
it is apparent that every subordinate instilu-
,ion must participate in the general depen.
dence upon the common fountain OF power.
To the country. then, in its most enlarged
sense. the army must look for the rewards
of its successes, and for support in the hour
OF adversely; and it is only by deeds Of arms
in war, and devotion to duty in peace, that
its object can be attained.