New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-29
HOW NOT TO RECRUIT.


HOW NOT TO RECRUIT.
| A well-oiganzcd system OF recruiting Is
what this country lacks, and probably VIII
not acquire while this war lasts. We
heartily approve of the recent call for
5O0, 900 mcn, but that is no reason why
We should not say that demand
so sudden for such great number Of
men might as well have been avoided. II
has been too much the fashion to treat this
war on the ninety days theory-to iorcgo the
regular effort which might long ere this have
Icrystallzed and harmonized INTO system
capable Of steadily supplying thc STEADY de-
mands OF the armic, Of The Republic Ana
we have fresh illustration of this pcryerse
tendency in the consent just granted By the
Secretary Of War to Pennsylvania. and it is
said to some othor States, to organize new regi-
ments as an encouragement to recruiting.
We prores, against this lax and complaiSan'
administration Of military affairs. We invoke
against it the concurring testimony OF all mill
iary men, and Of the history Of This war As well.
We oppose it rs weak, even if well meant,
concession to the diseased appetite which Graves
political influence in the disposition of militia
ry appointments. And We hold il up to view as
a mistake which has carried misfortune into the
organization of our armies from an early period,
and which has secured benefits TO the intriguing
instruments Of party at the expense OF the ma
ton and by the sacrifice OF deserved successes
in tho field.
We are well aware Of the argumcn, winch
has had weight in Mr.. Stanton's mind-that
men to whom the nducement Of commission
is held out will bestir themselves TO secure men
and a commission Mt tho .apie Time. But the
J Argument bases itself on false premises. ~ aS'
sumo. that men and officers 50 obtained arc
worth haying--or are worth more than
the smeller number which might other
wise have eulatcd-a total mistake.
Every soldier knows that green troops
with green officers are worthless in the
field. while green troops judiciously internngled
with veterans, fight well. That is 10 say a
regiment raised by officers to whom commissions
officers require moro drilling than its men, is
good for nothing for the next six months. Halt
the number Of mon raised b. judicioUs enlist
nent system, and sent in squads to The Army,
TO be mitrcd into tho veteran organizations
already existing will be worth on the instant
twice as much. Therefore, the greater numbers
obtained under the present system swell the
muster roll of the nominal strength OF the
Army, but do not increase its force.
! Il is esteemed useless to cite European ex-
anplcs, but We cannot help putting in contrast
with this rude and ineffective device, the COM
pacl. well.ofdercd system OF the Irench-the
most military nation in the world; that is, the
nation to whom the details and system Of war
are most perfectly known and BY whom they
are most assiduonsly put III practice. Every
regiment in the French army has its depot for
recruiting N enlists certain average number
weekly and monthly, and the regiment is kept
fuu BIZ help. not of men sent 10 It's ranks
Al the moment of enlisting, but by soldiers
trained for a specified period before leaving
the depot. The regiment in actual service,
therefore, is always veteran regiment The
regiment which under our system marches into
Virginia may not have Il man IN 1t who knows
the manual of arms, or the simplest battalion
movement, Each supplies recruits with the
same rapidity, but one supplies soldiers; the
other material for soldiers. Can there be
doubt which is the wiser way
We desire to see this mistaken concession by
the Secretary withdrawn, and the rule which
has hitherto obtained resumed. Irregular and
uncertain as recruiting Is and must be- it Is bet
ter to trust to its chances than to the sure unit
ness of absolutely new regiments. In ITS effect
upon tho morale Of the army, the superiority OF
the latter is just as striking. II IS an encour-
apement to every veteran TO see the ranks oil
his regiment filled up, even by new men. 1t Is
WEAKNESS and disgust to him to see new regi'
lnents take their places by the side OF old, know
ing AZ he does that the new cannot for mo-
ment DO trusted in the shock of battle. What
ever may be thought Of our opinion, his Is en-
titled to consideration.