The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-05-08
A Great Dsty for Christian Patriots.

lhc greatest peril VIII ch threatens tins COun-
try il the risk Of the demOTdiEI'ioH Of her
youth in these Gro Sded camps unless vigorous
and skillful preventive measures b. taken. lt
is impossible, in such a recruiting. to prevent a
fcw vile, obscene, scOundrclly SllOss from
creeping into every one OF our regiments. There
are often men in the companies who ought to h1
in irons. These low, filthy blsck guards get a
great deal Of influence over the current talk
because the more decent and religious part 10
not know one another, and are rather modest
about coming forward. The public tone becomes
often much Influenced by this class OF men.
The earnest and moral set have no nucleus or
Centre they are away from churches, DO ks
and worship, the influence OF refined women
and most OF the usual moral influences Of sOci-
ETY.. They feel as II the army almost excluded
Morality and Religion from II. They cow down
to a vitiated tone AMI In an unmanly way
dodge their religious responsibilities. Thus, by
and 10y, the foul mouthed and vulgar and pro-
fame get everything in their own hands AMI the
whole company or regiment Is gradually let
down In rs moral standard. Besides, we may
as well admit 1t. men together, without homes
or the society Of ladies, are not, usually. very
eliiying in their conversation. 1t needs the
highest military prestige, and the traditional
tone of thorough gentlemen or officers to make
such society long OF the proper chara ;tsr.
The soldiers life, beside, has a tire nendous
temptation in its idleness. Half OF il is spent
in the most vigorous eSerciie, and the other
half In the utmost inactiOn. 1t Is this that
tempts men so much to gambling and drink
ing. II there were sufficient reading matter In
camp, great deal Of this evil could bs avoided.
Now why should not many Of these dangers he
averted by certain simple, practical provisions
First, let every town that sends its regimen,
4 see to il hat II has good chaplain: not a mil
itary official, in black clothes, but good, hu
name man, who " III be the nucleus and centr,
Of the moral and earnest soldiers OF the corps
and " h. will exert a decided and constant In
| huencc OF the side Of right. There will be tel
| thousand ways in which he can keep up the re
.ipous and moral tone Of the regiment, withou
cant or obtrusivencss lie should be recog
nized person belonging to the regiment.
The sober and mo'e religious would gathe
| around such man-strngthen him, and i
| strengthened by him. Remember, large pal
| Of the soldiers of this war are descendants ,
| Puritans, and they offer life and fortune as In
| religious cOntest-for LAW and Liberty, CIV
| such mon the Bible and psalm-book, and the
will be inyincible. Besides all men are he.t'
soldiers who fight under the banner OF religion
Then why should not our brave army /
thoroughly supplied with rea ding mater, new
papers, tracts, pamphlets, whatever they woul
gladly read. Such things would occupy man
an idle hour, aud save a vast iell Of vica.
Weappeal TO the whole community, througl
out the country, TO see to the q vitality impo
tant matters. Tbs future Of our youth and u
character OF the nation may depend upon ther
L. L. u.