The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-23
Disc ontented Volunteers.
the Philadelphia North American, Aug. g.

From the Philadelphia North American, Aug.
We are weary of the grumblipg of VOL
unteers. The catalogue of their woes
seems to be endless. They complain of the
hard bread and fat pork. They have no
hot rolls and omelettes for breakfast. The
hlet'de-bOuef and croquettes are missing at
dinner. There is no lobster salad. Spring
chickens are invisible. In fact, the larder
of the camp bears no comparison with that
of the Continental, and every chap who
enlists appears to make up his mind that
he ought at least to live on the best the
land can afford. Then the clothing is not
fine brOadcloth. 1t does not always fit.
The stuff does not suit, and every man has
his separate beau ideal of what sort of O
uniform he ought to wear. Complaints of
the officers are endless. Captains who want
to rise are forever disseminated with their
colonies. Ditto lieutenants. Most of the
privates are ambitious, and of course grum-
blers.
Why is it that the American volunteer,
so intelligent, enterprising, courageous and
valuable, should be so perfectly helpless
and disconnected. 1t is because the press
and the people both have vitiated the SER
vice. Defects have been purposely exagger-
ated in order to injure the War Depart.
ment, the State government, the contractors
or the officers. Each of these in turn has
host of rivals or enemies constantly bent
on magnifying all errors. 1t is common
dodge to make the men discontinued with
their commanding officers, in order to make
position for others, and the lntrigues to dis
place officers have become so general and
dangerous as to call imperatively for some
point out glazing cases among the Pennsyl-
vania troops where the most disgraceful acts
of characterization and treachery have been
committed by men who are now seeking to
be colonies, &C., in order to get rid of their
superior officers.
We do not eXaggerate when we say that
the whole of the three months volunteers
from Pennsylvania, and many from Massa-
chusetts, New York, and other States, were
rendered discontinued by publications and
representations from parties seeking con-
tracts, or who were purposely bent on doing
this in order to SANDER and break down the
Republican administrations of those States.
As Tor the hunters after contracts, we had
thought their lies had been pretty well
shown up, but they still keep industriously
at their work OF disappearing the char
acter OF the supplies furnished and thereby,
OF course, inducing the soldiers to believe
they have been greatly wronged.
Public opinion can reach and remedy this
evil, and thereby confer an inestimable
blessing upon the country, by resolutely
and scorDtully refusing to listen to any
more complaints. We do not know how
others may act, but as for ourselves we
never bear volunteer making complaints
without turning our back upon him as be
ing no true soldier. This ought to be the
universal course. If any man eDlists with
the idea that he can escape hardship, he
deserves to suffer rather more than his fel-
lows. 1t is tie business of soldier to
endure. Pampered and indolent at home,
it may 60 hard with him 10 sleep on the
ground and eat fat pork in the camp, but
he is all the better for it, as is clearly prov
ell by the health of those who have come
home.
Complaints of officers or fare ought to be
sterny discountenanced, and letters contain
ing such should be severely replied to. 1t
is high time that our volunteers were made
to feel the weight of home sentiment, and
compelled to do their duty like men, rather
than reluctant schOolbOys. For those who
pursue it, this course is losing all the re-
spect of the community; and SO far from it
being merit, hereafter, for man to have
been among them, the chances are that he
will be obliged to prove that be actually did
any service and was not grumbler. In
this great crisis we want none but effective
fighting men, animated by patriotic impul-
ses. and ready to do or suffer patiently
whatever is necessary for the glory of the
republic.