Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1832-01-13
1881 probably

r. AooO lOysO82
1881 probably 1882
The tabular statement accompanying the re-
lport of the commanding general shows, that
1.-THE pay OF the non-commissioned officers, mu-
lsicians, and privates, may be increased SO as
materially TO improve their condition, and not
Iexceed the aggregate amount of Ss5, 1920. The
non-commissioned officers particularly are in
our service, inadequately paid. Every milf
tary man is sensible of their Importance to the
character snd efficiency of the army; and such
inducements should be offered, as would en-
sure the engagement of competent men, quail
he'd, by their principles, habits, and intelligence
Ito acquire the confidence and command the re-
lspeet of the soldiers. That this additional,
compensation would have tendency to dimin-
ish the mischief of desertion, there is no doubt
whether in SO great degree as to save the
whole sum proposed to be given, experience
only can determine.
A very large proportion of all the crimes
committed in the army may be traced to hab-
its of .intemperance. The vice is in fact the
prevalent one to our soldiery. | am satisfied
that ardent spirits should not form compo-
nent part or the ration. By issuing it, we fur
nish to those already accustomed to its use the
means of vicious indulgence, and we invite
those. who are yet temperate, to acquire this
destructive habit. 1t is certainly sufficient
for all useful purposes if, there be in truth any
utility in the consumption of ardent spirits.
that the officers be authorized to grant permits
sion for its purchase, in proper quantities to
those whose situation may require it, without
the direct agency of the Government in allow
ing and providing it,
There was issued to the army, in 1907
S27 gallons of whiskey, at the cost of Ss2 80,
If this sum was applied to the purchase of tea,
tcofee. and sugar. for the use of the soldiers,
their habits and morals would be greatly impro.
we'd ,and the discipline and responsibility Of
the army promoted. The regulation of this
i Department, by which an offer is made to the
soldier of committing the whiskey ration BY
the payment of one cent, is productive of lit
tie advantage. In this estimate of the value o
this part of the ration, reference has been hae
only to the actual cost of the article, delivered
in large quantities at the various posts. Blu
/ this is unjust to the soldier. He estimates
} very naturally at the retail price, averaging
/ probably FIVE cents, and the present offer o
: accumulation is in fact to ask him to sell hi
E whiskey at one fifth of its value.-It is far bet
: ter to leave the troops no choice, but to allo,
: them a liberal compensation, and in such arti
cles as will be most useful The America
!. soldier is well paid, fed, and clothed; and, i
f the event of sickness or disability, ample pre-
0 vison is made for his support. But his NOR;
: culture is wholly neglected lhere is no al
d rangement in our service for his mental or re
improvement And there is perhaT
| mo similar service. in which such measure
l. more necessary. Many of the positions occ,
d pied by our troops are upon the verge OF civil
,-Iization, or beyond it. There, they are fetais
is ed for years, and under circumstances, whicl
,eI if not counteracted, almost necessarily lead
ctl great decentralization. None of the ordinal
ir means OF instruction are within their reach, al
I'd neither their habits nor principles can be il
.dl proved or fortified by those institutions, viii
e. are elsewhere so generally estaplished, and
to useful. independently of any obligation viii
he may be supposed to exist on the part of c
Government, to provide for the moral as w
DIS as the physical wants of of class OF men, w
ut in dcvoting themselves to the service of t
h. country, become unable to provide for thu
p own wants it is certain, that. as a question
n, expediency, this measure is recommended
rs, powerful considerations. Where moral a
m religious principles are practically acknoy
edged, their sanctions will add validity to
,y, obligations voluntarily assumed by the soldi
Of and his duties will be performed with me
re- fidelity and alacrity. As he becomes bet
he man, he will become better soldier Dis
of pline and subordination will be promoted, pu
diminished, and all the details OF