Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-08-06
DISCIPLINE OF THE ARMY.

DtStfFLkNE of HE Ahhf.
The following memorial, now in circulation
in New York, has been signed by nearly every
one of tho leading capitalists who have been
in the habit Of investing largely in Govern
mont securities:
MEMORIAL TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES.
To HIS ErceheHcy tie President of the
URitd States The undersigned, in behalf
Of the class which is daily called upon to sus-
tain the credit Of the nation with loans and
contributions, and upon whom the burden of
taxation for the present war must heavily fall,
feel that the time has arrived distinctly to in
form the government that the property hold
ers of the country are greatly alarmed at the
lack Of vigor and decisiveness in The control
and regulation of the army raised for the de-
fence of our nationality and our constitution
and that, unless aD.immediRte improvement is
effected in the discipline and ordering of the
troops, the government will experience great
difficulties in obtaining the means of carrying
on the war.
They complain that a suitable supervision
has not been extended by government to the
Cheering of the volunteer forces; that the
principle Of allowing companies to choose their
own officers. or officers their own colonels. is
fatal to military discipline; that political
local and personal interests have had far too
much sway in the selection Of officers; that
undue laxity prevails in the control of volun-
teer officers by their military superiors; and
that an ill-grOunded apprehension Of local or
political censure has prevented the proper
aut1 1orities from removing incompetent com
manders, and from placing in responsible mil
itary positions those most capable Of filing
them, without regard to anything but their
qualifications.
The undersigned are convinced that the
local and politiosl considerations which at
other times and under other circumstances are
IN rhnlIry kcc,
this serious and critical moment in our national
history. Oar existence a nation is al stake,
and our army holds this stake in its keeping
Is this time to grstify local pride, or per-
scGal ambition, to make political capital, or
indulge professional military jealousies, at the
expense OF the honor of our arms, and the sue
cess Of our cause! Hust the educated and
experienced military knowledge and skill of
the c0Gntry be set aside, to humOr the yearn-
ings Of individual States, the aspirations Of
civilians, or the plans of party? The solid
and thoughtful men of the country, on
whom the Government must ultimately rely
for moneyed support, are determined TO put al
end to this state Ofthings. They demand that
the right men shall be put in the right places
In the army, without regard to anything but
their fitness to control our troops and lead
them to victory. They demand that neither
State Sride, party considerations local wishes
nor personal feelings, shall any longer infu-
ence the authorities in military appointments
They demand that regulars shall be advanced
not because they are regulars, but because
they are ht, and only when they are fit; that
volunteers shall be disIrusted, not as volun-
teers, bat only az inexperienced, and only
when inexperienced. They demand that all
other considerations shall yield to the single
question of fitness. Let the army IN all It's
departments be Immediately Ofiicered with sole
reference 70 its efficiency. Do not ask we'll
known and superior military men 10 serve un-
4 hat flr rpN anil Sin
Do not promote local politicians or national
politicians TO military posts, while officers Of
yignr and experience, whose profession is arms,
are left in subordinate positions. Do not hes
itate to call your captains and lfeutenants of
the regular line to brigadior rgeneralships, if
qualified for those posts, because it is not
usual in time of peace to make rapid promo
tiOns. The country has a right at this time to
the benefit Of the men il has educated to mill
tary duly. Tae Government and Congress
mistake the feeling of the nation, when they
hesitate 20 ser qualification above every other
consideration in the offering of the army.
We think II due to the business and wealth
Of the county to urge upon the Government
and upon Congress the immediate tightening
of the cords OF military discipline. The war
is no longer regarded holiday affair. The
blood of our citizens has already flowed, and
hundreds and thousands of families are filed
with intense anxiety for the evil that is to
csne. Let the army, throughout its whole ex-
tent, be put upon the strictest discipline, every
ON 'ef held rigidly responsible to his superior,
and all the vigOr and authority ever exercised
IN the control cf the regulars be now applied
t. the E1icers and men Of the volunteer force
Humanity and interest require that our army
should come completely under army rules, that
our force should be treated as United States
forces, and that to the utmost extent, the dis.
tinction kept up by jealousy and pride between
the volunteers and regulars should be done
away. This can only be effected by treating
them alike, subjeetDg them to the same rigOr,
and holding them responsible to the same OBJ
legations. 1t is "a much for their happiness
and safety rs il is for the good of the cause al
the hOror Of the nation, that an indulgent and
exceptional policy should cease towards the
volunteers. Let their officers, if negligent, be
Immediately subjected to court-martiaI, and if
this be not prompt enough tribunal, Jet the
GeBeral-iR-Chief be entrusted with even larger
and more summary powers than these he ex-
ercissd when 10 Mexico. The country can en-
duTe DO further triting. no playing at soldier,
no leviiy in the presence Of national peril and
an inscriptions foe. .-..
The whole nation is now thoroughly aroused.
. It does not entertain the idea Of failure in its
purposes 1t means to conquer Union and
peace and permanent prosperity through arms
It's loyal citizens, one and all, are prepared Ia
sustais the government in all measures which
are necessary to give immediate discipline
yigor and efficiency to the brave and noble
body Of troops in the field, who need only to be
ftly governed and directed, with their good
cause and their true hearts, to become ire
sistible. r--- ---...r
Respectfully, your fellow citizens
--e-s--- avs
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