The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-05-30
MiarEllQnRu1a NEtus.
Armies in the East.

There are now assembled in fields of war.
fare large soldery from four races of men,
which have never beiore met in mortal combat.
Sclaves, Turks, CeIts and Anglo. .Saxons. 1t
was TO have been expected that they would
exhibit characteristics quite opposite, which
might influence the character of the campaign
In which they are engaged That French and
English should be blended in war, on sea and
land, is itself an event that has not occurred
for centuries, but that there should be triple
union Of Oriental, Anglo:Saxon and Celtic
forces for common purpose, is among phe-
nomena, rare even in the most uncommon OF
political combinations How they will asslm-
ilate in military action is to be seen. In what
manner commanders will attain unity of coun-
ellis, is not so difficult of conception as how the
whole, in movement and execution, will act to-
gether, formed of such diverse materials. A
Turk in action is impetuous. An Englishman
collected. A Frenchman vivacious. If these
are combined into harmonious cooperation we
must suppose the power Of discipline strong
enough, not only to control national impulses
but 10 bring opposite pecuarites into that un-
iformity which military movements require.
But the difference in these hostilities is not
merely that of climate and country. 1t is a
war of races and religions. The Turk is arm
ed Tor the conflict by national hatred as well
as superstition. Ae will fight to desperation
under his own commanders. There are many
Of them natives of other countries, who have
taught discipline to the troops they lead. The
latter, in daring and impetuous energy, are
greatly in advance of their commanders. How
is all this to be reconci!ed to the European
modes of warfare, of which systematic arrange
ment is the essential feature? When Turks,
French and English are brought to act in mill
tary masses, with efficiency, we are almost
ready to pronounce that political combination
can effect any thing.
Besides these differences between the East
ern and Western armies, the peculiarties, if not
the contrasts. that mark the Western forces
themselves must create some difficulty, we i'm
agine, in bringing them into agreement and al
laying jeaousies In the very rank and file
there are repugnances in idiosyncracy, which
which place French and English soldier at
an immeasurable distance. The former under
all the regimes-mcnarchy republic, empire
under conscription more or less severe, served
serves with lively perception of military fame,
if not national honor, and with capacity
sharpened by exercise in q profession he as
sumes with ease. He has nothing of the feel
ing OF an enlisted mercenary. He is unable,
in the humblest ranks, to separate the glory OF
France from the triumph of her arms. An
English soldier enters the service of his coun
try, and fights with less keen sense of militia,
ry pride, but with dogged consciousness of
duty-a more stubborn tenacity of resolution.
He combats from obstinacy, if not patriotism,
and, if less intelligent, is, perhaps, more firm
and unyieldng, although no less hireling than
he who is forced into the ranks by conscription
These are admirable materials, in their sepa-
rate spheres, for military ends. But we are
perplexed to know the manner of their combi-
nation, when operations are to be conducted
OH an extended scale. We can comprehend
how discipline will temper enthusiasm in
Frenchman or fanatacism in Turk, but how Pc
culiarties Of race and nation, so diss imilar, are
to be brought within the range of uniform mil.
itary action, is not so easily understood.
Charleston NeWs.