Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-08-16

hAt Will lOt act ullNh III until luN next session.
REFORM
Il is with no little pleasure that we notice
almost daily tho multitude Of reforms that arc
being made in the management Of the affairs
of the army The sanitary committee are o.
yerhaulng the arrangements OF the camps
and introducing such improvements as sci
ence and experience shall dictate as being con.
duciyc TO the health and comfort Of tho.r
whom military necessity has for the time sub
jected to the exposures Of camp life. Thc
food and clothing, and their personal habits
as TO cleanliness and regularity, have all bee
subjects Of personal inquiry, and in accord
ance with their recommendation such in
provements and reforms are being introduce
as will guard our soldiers from excesses an
render them more efficient in the labors Of
soldiers life Not the least Of the evils to b
done away with, and one which perhaps
much as any one thing detractcd from the el
fciency of the army, was the growing habit
intemperance. As the excitement and novel
ty Of their first Introduction into camp wor
away, and the heavy work Of entrenchmcn'
and Notifications yielded to a sort of monoto
nous routine of inactive duties, the use Of IN
toxicating drinks was becoming iearfully com
mon. and the health of the soldiers us well
their efficiency for more active duties, was be-
ing impaired, so that reform in this rcspcC
became a military necessity, and the sale
liquors to the soldiers has been forbidden
several Of the commanders, and the offender
summariIy elected from the camp. Congres.
also, has found it necessary to take the ma.
ter in hand and impose heavy fine upo
those whose cupdit, induced them thus {
destroy boti the hsLlh,and usefaluess Of th
soldiers. Both officers and men are pruhibi
ed from leaving their quarters and spendin
their time in !ounging about bar-rooms, s'
looms and dram-shops, to the neglect Of thei
duties in camp; and the utmost scrutiny
exercised aver all parcels sent to them froi
abroad. to prevent the introduction and use
Intoxicating drinks by the soldiers
The effect Of this new order Of things is u
ready apparent in the improved order and di'
cipiue of the camIs. Where before the OFF
GERS neglected their duties and left their trl
positions in camp for the ease and comfort
the hotel, those under their command beir
lei to their freedom and without those Who'll,
some restraints which the presence of the
commanding officers alone could impose no
every man is found at his post, and the il
furious effects Of liquor drinking disappea
order and quiet is everywhere visible,
both officers and soldiers are addressr
themselves to the wotk of rendering the arm
more efficient for crushing ont rebellion W
certainly hope that when next they take u
their march to Richmond we shall hear of
more battles lost, and no more disgrace {
our army by reason Of drunken officers
drunken soldiers.
But is there no lesson for us to learn fro
these reforms in the army, Is it any mos
necessary for soldiers in contending again,
the enemies Of their country that they shoul
be temperate and orderly and have prop
regard to their daily habits Of life, than +,
those who are engaged in the great battle
life Ii it is necessary for the efficiency
the army that each member Of it be tempera
yea, abstain entirely from the use of
that intoxicates, that he observe strictly
the laws Of health, and that Lis own person
habits be such shall comport with the eff
cheney Of the whelss IA is net just as neeessai
for our success in life that we conform
those rules and submit with due Difference
those restraints which the good of the who
requires Of each individual member of society
A great crisis is upon the country, and
successful issue depends upon the combin,
efforts Of the individual members Of our a
my. Abuses and Irregularities had crept il
threatening their decentralization, and requn
ing the interposition Of military and legal at
thorty, and each soldier must submit to u
necessities Of the emergency or share in Il
disgrace Of ultimate defeat So in our ever
day life are we in the midst Of a great NOR
crisis, so to speak, requiring cool heads az
firm hands aud discreet judgment to mou
society so that it shall prove blessing ralh
than curse, and each individual is respons
Bile for the part he acts. Personal excess
and Irregularities detract from individual
fciency, and as the individual standard
lowered, in corresponding ratio will who
communities become debased. Let us N,
learn lesson from our army, aud
ember that in no position in life can We is
late ourselves upon individual responsibilit
but that we are accountable each TO the OF
er and to the whole body polite for the eff
cheney with which we discharge our individ
al duties, and VIC have no right to claim {
ourselves indulgonccs which would detra
from the physical or moral condition Of Il
whole.