Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-05
The Right Remedy.

Attention was called in yesterdays Repub
lican to the fact that Gen. Beauregard has
directed the Colonies of his command to re-
quire the prompt return of all the volunteers
absent from the ranks for auy cause; and. in
obedience to that order, the Sheriffs of the
several counties and cities have been fur b
nished lists of the absentees, with instruc-
tions to arrest and return them Immediately
This step OF Gen. Beauregdrd deserves the
highest commendatlon, and we hope it will
be promptly followed by every one of our
Generals. The number of volunteers absent
from their posts in the army, upon various
pretexts, is absolutely enormous. When we
say they number more than one-thir6 of those
who are acting in the field, we do not exag-
gerate the number. The streets of Richmond,
and every other city, town and village in
Virginia, are lined with brass buttons and
gold lace Almost every private house in
the State-certainly every one along the
thoroughfares 10 and from our armies-is
filled with idle volunteers, indulgiug the
ease and comforts OF Virginia hospitality, and
playing the gallant to our fair daughters.-
All OF our railroad cars, and public convey
ances OF every sort, are daily crowded with
travelling soldiery. Go where you may, 10
city or country, in private or public house,
and you will find floating volunteers. JUS
tice requires US to say that many of these
men are really invalids and unable to per-
form military duty, and some few are absent
from their posts for good and sufficient reas-
ons. But it is an undeniable fact that the
great body of them are perfectly well and
hearty, and just as fit for duty as thousands
who have never seen their homes or friends
since the day they enrolled themselves among
the defenders OF their country. Some of them
have been sick, and have gotten well. Some
have gotten leave of absence for sufficient
reason, and have overrun their time But
the great mass of them have gotten leave of =
absence upon various insufficient preteXts,
just to escape the hardships of the camp and
crafty their vanity by strutting in uniform
before the public at home. Nor is this the
most Objectionable feature of the case These.
men, while lounging about the country in
idleness, and leaving their brother volunteers
to do all the fighting, receiving their
regular and full compensation from the gov
ernmeni st =
This shameless state of things must be
broken up at once. This vast floating VOL
unteer population must be made TO return to
the ranks of the army. Not only does the
public service imperatively require it, but
the good OF society demands il, because il
converts thousands OF young men into idle
and dissolute characters, besides imposing
most burdensome tax upon the poor families
OF the country who have to support upon an =
average at least half dozen of these idle
men. Gen. Beeuregard has adopted the only
plan which can prove effective in bringing
these absences back toduty. Those voiun-
teers who have not honor and patriotism
oHouSu W Ittulu upOu tltlT own sense OF
duty, ought TO be arrested and carried back
by the public authorities. ~ eff7 = ~ essa = =
One other consideration. Our public Off
Gers are doubtless very much to blame for =
this Generalization among our volunteers.
Colonies grant thousands OF furfoughs when
they ought not to be granted, and Surgeons =
continue thousands on the sick list who are
fit for duty. Surgeons ought to be men of 81 2
sense, experience and nerve They ought TO sssi
know their whole duty, and have the firm
ness to perform it, without fear, favor or af
fiction. We know some such surgeons but IA
we know many more Rho are not snch-men
whose false sympathies and sometimes whose
ignorance totally unit them for their solemn
responsibilities. The Governmeat. therefore, -
should be exceedingly careful who they :
make. surgeons. The health and lives OF our 80
men, no less than the good organization Of ~.
our army, require that none bus meu Of ex- -
perience; and decision should be assigned
such. posts Of honor and trust.-LymehbHrg =
Republican.