New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-08-01
RIM IN TsaE ARMY,

Tie moral army.worn is drink. II is capable
of eating far into tie heart Of our fighting
material and Of couuterac'iug the prestige Of the
movement for the Union with blight and disgrace.
We trust its devastation cannot extend go for.
1t will net, if thp humane discipline Of tho COM
me- ..ang officer Of one department is adopced ia
every department Of the army.
Gen. Butler has had correspondence on the
subject with o clergyman of this State, which
will lie found in our letter from Fortress Mon
roe. 1t makes conspicuous both h!s energy and
enlightenment. The reverend gentleman informs
the General that reliable man. in the camp
writes that one Of the officers has been drunk
" for n week" md calls his attention to the
(earfully demoralizing effect Of such an example.
The General replies that he did not appoint the
officer. and cannot know him unless the "reliabe"
correspondent informs; no expresses surprise that
man whose habits must have been known in
his own neghbOrhcod should have been elected
to Office; he states that drunkenness Is not toll
Grated in his department, the strictest scrutiny
being exercised over the packages sent to the
men, of which in a single day one hundred end
fee from one Express Company were found TO
contain liquor, aud were turned over to the Hos
pital. II New-York officers cannot be trusted to
receive packages unopened, due complaint should
be made to the Governor, and, with his permis-
sion, the General will subject them to the same
seizure and search. The sale OF spirituous
liquors is prohibited within his lines. Every
barrel of whisky not under the charge OF an
officer when there il reason to believe sales
have been made, has been broken, the contents
spilled, and the seller sent out of the lines.
While General Buffers letter exhibits in the
most gratifying aud encouraging manner bis
thorough appreciation Of the duties Of his post,
and contains the seed Of true reform, its
statements may well awaken reflection out Of
the army. If the friends of the volunteers
wish TO use the best means 10 unfit them for
the service they have undertaken, they could not
do better that ply them with stimulating gifts.
StrycLnine is one Of the weapons employed by
the enemy; the friends WELD one far more for
nlidablc. The figures given by General Butler
are fearful One hundred aud five packages of
rum consigned in a single day TO men of his
command might, if not arrested by his vigilance,
turn the scale in favor OF the enemy in case Of
any engagement. Think, kind friends Of the
volunteer, of tho temptations TO constant indul-
gence which the easy life Of the camp brings.
with ia hours Of aimless waiting, only relieved
by dull and heavy lahors; think of the quality Of
true courage, which is ever moral, on whatever
field Of trial, aud which should not pass away
with the fumes OF lalse and unhealthy excite
m,nt. A package Of good homemade bread aud u
few Of the simpler mAurics Of tho table would be 4
present at once cheaper aud more substantial than
package Of rum with the additional advantage in
the case of the soldier at Fortress Monroe of sccur
ty from confscation. This IL the season when
stimulants are most dangerous, and disease most
quickly follows Indulgence.
While Gen. Butler hns pursued the course die.
tated by humanity and professional pride in hls own
command Gen. Mcclellan has induced the passage
Of bill prohibiting the sale of intoxicating drinks.
May the reform embrace every Division OF the Union
Army The officers may remember that the exam
pie Of their own live. is the best restraint OF their
men, and that the grand names Of war have always
been associated with simple and wholesome habits,