Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-19
The French and Austrian Military Systems

The present war in Europe is giving paipa-
BILE evidence Of the effect which the cutlNa-
ton of military spirit in the masses OF the
nation, and the adoption of u democratic sys'
tenn in its armies, produce on the affairs ot
the world.
France and Sardinia are now arrayed
. against Austria Tie burden of the fight -
sustained by the two great military empires,
with forces nearly equal in numbers, armed
/ with like weapons, skilled in similar tactics
aud neither inferior in courage. Yet the
chance Of battle has uniformly been III favor
OF the French armies aud their Italian allies.
In seeking for the calIsrs of this continuous
result we are constantly carried Ia one great
influence. The military system Of France
Is IL democratic one, and opens to the num-
I blcst soldier the paths Ia the highest hon
urs. Every mun knows that courage, skill
and enterprise will bring Promotion, and
therefore ambition prrNadrs all the ranks
and stimulates to the highest effort. Aud
II does more than this. Merit being the
test that carries the soldier Ia the highest
/ command, it fills the posts ol leaders with
men superior in their class, and secures the
greatest efficiency among the officers.
democratic system from her military organi-
tattoo. Rank i, there conferred onl on per
| syns who can claim it through the accident
of noble birth Her officers are highly edu'
Gated men, but education alone cannot make
superior generals and merit has no hope t"
rise from the Austrian ranks. Her armies
are thus deprived Of the spur "t ambition,
and though they fight with courage AMI de-
termination. they are deprived, 10y the very
system under with they are organized, al
| that skill in leadership which IL different Sys-
/ tenn has given Ia their opponents. While the
! French generals have shown their merit aud
attained their positions in the schools OF the
wars in Algeria and the CrineI. the Austrian
rolls show only officers who have been parade
! soldiers of peace. and have attained their
commissions for services rendered III the
saloons and the ante chambers of the Court.
The democratic system OF promotion from
| the ranks has been introduced 10y Victor
! Emanuel into the Italian army, and rs ma
tural consequence the Italians are swelling
its ranks with great rapdity stimulated 10y
| the double motive OF patriotism and ambition.
| The SONS Of the nuhleSt families eagerly enter
/ the ranks To learn the art of war in the daily
practice of soldiers life, and 10 We with
merit of every class III the contest "t emula-
| ton. This system will secure to Italy III
! future wears skill in command and i noble
! spirit of enterprise in the act OF obedience.
Ii is the same principle which animates our
own mighty army of volunteers, and which
secures To Us in time of war the certainty "f
IN abundant supply of good soldiers. Dur
ing the piping times of peace our little army
is converted into Il sort OF polIcec corps to guard
our Western frontier, and promotion lagS;
! but when the blasts of war ring in their ears
each man experiences the feelings :" rurtiy
expressed by one who rose in the campaign
Of Mrxico:-"A yellow sash or six feet Of
! earth - N,w York HyuM