Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-07-19
SPIRIT RATIONs FOR TIE ARMY.


We were surprised to hear few days ago from
an old soldier that spirit ratOns not served out
To the men in our army. In our opinion, this ac-
counts in some measure for the ravaSeS Of disease
and Of death in our ranks. small quantity OF
whSkey twice day is almost essential to the health
Of men who undergo such exposures and hardshipS
as those of the soldier. Especially is this the case
where the men are unable to procure coffee. Coffee
is great snulant and invigOrator. In the French
army it is greatly in use, and perhaps deserves no
little credit for great victories. In the Yankee
army the men have regular spirit and coffee ratOnS
1t is rather hard that brave fellows should have
neither and be obliged to contend against superior
numbers besides. This great omission ought at
once to be reclifed There ought to be whiSkey
enough in the country to supply an army as large
that of NerXeS for year. We had supposed
when the sale of whiSkey was prohibited to citizens
and to soldiers in cities, object was to preserve
the supply, which, in moderate quantities, is highly
important for the fighting man. 1t was right and
proper to keep whiSkey out of the hands of those
who would it for civil purposes, and to prevent
soldiers who off duty from drinking to excess;
but wine glass full twice day to a man who is
digging bitches from sunrise till sunset and sleeping
on the wet ground at night or standing guard in
winter SHOWS till his feet frozen to the ground
repeatedly happened to sentries last winter
IS a very different matter. 1t is thing, under
such circumstances Of almost absolute necessity,
and the quantity being regulated by army rules,
excess is impossible. We have heard that old Stone
wall says that, though he never drinks himself,
nothing does him more good than to see his men
refreshing themselves with the modest allowance
which is contained in the spirit ration. This shows
the practical good sense and discrimination of this
valuable officer He docs not tickle his own palate
with wines, and then withhold whSkey ratonS from
his soldier; but on the contrary whilst he denies
himself has no desire to make his own abstinence
a rule for everybody else Nothing can be more
horrible and disgusting than intemperance, and an
army OF drunkards would make short work with
any cause committed to their hands. We should be
glad indeed if whSkey were put out of the reach of
every man, citizen or soldier who has not the virtue
of Selfcontrol, but that should not lead us to de-
prive men of prescribed moderate quantity, who
are performing such extraordinary laborS us those
required of the soldier. Richmond Dispatch.
TRADING win THE ENEMY.-LaIge calculations
made by the enemy of retaining cities and dis
tricts of country by their forces, through
the influence of trade This plan Of subjugation
must be fought and resisted steadily-aS lercey-
as stubbornly, resist their armed legions -
The cupidty of some and the urgent necessities of
ALL will afford facilities for the enemy to make art
full appeals to our people wherever their armies OBJ
tain ioothold, and their peddling traders are ena-
bled to display their wares. The banefu effects of
this insdious policy, upon the Southern cause,
already exhibited on the Southern borders of Ten
nesSee. Indeed regular trade is being carried on
between Nashville and the counties Southeast OF it.
The passenger and freight trains running regu-
ly between Nashville and Shelbyville. Cotton and
other produce are being transported by railroad and
wagons to Nashville, and Yankee goods bought in
exchange. 1t is said that even low down as
Chattanooga lively trade is going on with the en-
envy. Even at Atlanta coverts blows are stricken
at the Confederate cause through its currency, and
dealings of daily occurrence in which Confeder
ate notes are bought and sold at discount, CON-
pared with Tennessee notes. 1t is evident the de-
nand for Tennessee notes. and their appreciation
Confederate notes, are the result Of the trade
going over the enemys lines.
The Confederate Congress has passed an act pro-
hibiting under heavy penalties all trade with towns
in possession of the enemy 1t is important that
this law be strictly enforced at whatever cost,
wherever possible. Otherwise, subjected to
greater danger than that of the cannon and bayo-
net True, the enforcement of the law will atiIct
many innocent sufferers. 1t will, perhaps bear
much harder on friends than foes in many cases.
But such are among the unhappy incidents of war.
great public policy is sought to be accomplished
by total non-intercourse with :he enemy-whether
at scaports, along the Mississippi across tho bor-
der If the rule is relaxed and our people get into
the way of trading with the enemy, they will be
more than half prepared for the yoke which they
have sought to avoid at such immense cost of blood
The battles of this war will then have been fought
in van.-Au3uStG Constitutionatist