New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-09

in the English officer, and places him immeasur-
ably above those genuine Know-Nothings Of
animal instinct and brute bravery who compose
the British sodiery. Hence the French oiiicer,
once himself soldier, sympathizes with the
soldier, knows his wants, and is identified with
him BY that bond of common hardship, common
danger. common death, which is the cheapest
and most effective nurse of military glory.
But if chivslry still finds a resting place in
France, il has long fled from England. Her
Arkwriphts and her Watts have superse led
her Black Princes aud her Marlboro's. Asln-
court and Cressy have faded away upon her
shield, and given place to Leeds and Miuches-
ter. Her age is one of economists and caicn-
lators. The game laws, too, which prohibit to
the masses those manly pursuits enjoyed in oar
country, and the still seyerer ensctments which
nIreland forbid to the pessantry even the posses
sion of arms, maintain an ignorance OF their use
among the population aud discourage the
growth of military tastes. England, indeed,
is a nation of shOpkeepers. The profession
of the private soldier is looked on as low
and degrading. The name is by-word and re-
proach. Instead of thinking it an honor as in
France to have son even in the lowest grades
of the army, it is looked on in England among
the poorest peasantry as mark OF disgrace.
The recruit is drawn from the dregs of the city
or from the scapegraces and prodigals of middle
life. Before him he seesnot one hope of rising,
not a solitary glimmer of encouragement to light
his dull dreary path Honor is given only to rank.
The measure of the purse or pedigree, not
the merit Of the man, ensures the promotion.
None of the middle class or even oil the
decent peasantry enter sthe army unless as
refuge from parental cruelty, wounded love or
damaged reputation. Taken from the class
from which they are drawn, it is hardly to Do
wondered that with the cherries horizon be-
fore them, they are as rule, in peace dlssolute
and drunken In war they are brave as brute
from instinct But they have no lofty impulse
because they have no inspiring hope from which
to draw it. The last poor lrishman VINO lost
his hand was presented with ironic tenderness
with pair of mits worked by Princess Alice. On
the same principle the next poor lrishman who
loses a foot will, we presume, be presented wltha
pair Of boots from the wardrobe of Prince
Arthur Patrick. Can it be wondered that
when England ffes for fresh soldiers and
calls "Where are they ?" eche should
answer mockingly, "Where are they :"
Again, the officers who have shown them
selves on the Crmea as soldiers consist OF three
classes. Young mobiles and scions of aristocracy,
who will not devote time and industry to acquire
military education but trust to their family in
terest for advancement. Next, the sons OF opu-
lent merchants and business men, fired with
desire to mount the scarlet so attractive to the
female fancy and which is an "open sesame" to
exclusive circles. Aud lastly, those from the
squirearcby and other classes, who, too stupid or
too idle to fill any other profession, generously
bestow Cd the army those gifts declined by
pbysic, divinity or law They are all three de-
fcient in brains or the training which mitigates
their absence. There are noble exceptions of a
few, whose nature raises them above low Pur-
suit or sometimes supplies the absence OF mill
tary education; or who, adopting the army as
profession for life, receive at Woolwich or sand
hurst military schools an education which gives
them fair idea of their duties but Is still far be-
hind that received ut the Polytechnic or at West
Point. With the soldier they have no sympa-
thy and no intercourse off parade; they know
nothing of his wants, which are attended to by
the non-commissioned officers; and though they
share his bravery in battle, share none Of his prl-
yations in the biyouacs.
If England would recall that military prestige
which is fast departing from her name, she must
eyince some sympathy for those men who brave
death and danger in her behalf. Human hearts
need sympathy. 1t was this sympathy-the shar-
ing the bvouac with the soldier and the public
mention of every brave mans deed and the pro-
motion which rewarded it-that gave Napoleon
his wondrOus command over the heart of his
men, If the same end is wished for the same
means must be tried. Something must be done
to remedy the shameful injustice, the utter
hopee, sness, which marks the English system.
And if it is to be done, it were well it were
done quickly.