Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-01-18
FHECOKsFIFUTIOE-SFLTE Rights.
RICHMOND WHIG.
v10NDAV TT0RNINC. JAN, is, Ise4.
MONDAY MORNING, JAN. Is, Is
Discipline and Preparation.

OlSC1pllHC anu CP1AoeAoA-
There are perhals two detailed men and four desert
ers and sragglers to every one who has pat sub't-
tute in tie army The reports from the several armies
and bureaus will doubtless than substantiae this
statement Which of these classes is most urgent for
Congress TO egslate upon That body has been very
severe upon the least Of these evils VIII it overlook
entirely the grcaer9 If the detailed men, the de-
sersers aud sraggrs put back in the ranks, 30
sweeping call fer men from the county has been
proposed in beth houses would not be required. We
have no General yet who has led forty thousand men
into battle We except the unsuccessful battle of Get
tysbug though the muster rolls have often shown twice
or thrice that number. Is it the proper remedy for
culpAbe or criminal absence at critical moments to let
the offenders 60 undsturbed and put farmers and work
men in their places in the ranks
The army regulations should be rigidly enforced
against all vioators of military Law. Let there be few
pardons and no conceament of punishment in the army
1t is no, necessary that the newspapers should publish
such occurrences to the world. Bat it should be read
in ord rs before each regiment Who in the entire army
has been shot for forged furOughs and deserton The
ishmen in eseh case should be prompt and certain.
1t is but Just to those who brsvey cling all hours 10
their standards that offenders should be thus summariy
treated Ia this way only desertion and struggling
stopped Patriotic aPpsais IrOcamadOns and general
pardons have proved wholly inefficient. To trust simply to
these, ard endeavOr to fill ranks from classes as
neadul to the prosecution of armed soldiers ia
simply TO destroy the means of keeping up resistance
sud making good our defence. Congress should take
consideIate and practical view OF this matter.
L il represented that great preparations are making
by The enemy for what they orally imagine sl prove
finishing campaign next Spring. Grant is expected
10 be sufficiently reinforced to enable him 10 send one
column through Atlanta to Charleston, and another
through AbgdOn to Richmond. This is repetition Of
the schemes the Yankees have been planning from
the beginning of tie war Nevertheless, there is wis
dom in the warning conveyed in this hope expires ed by
the ChArlSs,on Mercury that authorities sufficiently
appreciate the danger stimulate the Conscript Blu
reau, the Commissary Department, the Ordnance De-
partmcnt, and the Quartermaster Department of the
Confederate States to the utmost activity and the largest
and earliest e1eriions Military success is the sole
safety and grand desideratum Of the cluss and for
tie achievement of military success, comprehension
aud efficiency in these departments prerequisite
UuspAriDg energy aud prOydent foresight amongst the
consedpt and Ordnacoe officers, quartermasters aud
eommissarcs, during the next it5 days. would so very
far towards defeating the schemes Of the enemy, and
redeeming the couairy from the suerngs and dangers
of invasion.
II besides gigantic efforts made by these most re
sponsblo officers, the rigid rule of military law
enforced towards all deszriers by military courts and
commanding officers, free from untimely and demor-
aliEng influence from higher authority, there would
exist un5Ouoded confidence throughout the caua
try that With the Generals aod troops have certain
victory would our cause and unfaling success
establish Independence. Sloth and want OF
sagacy pgompt1de and breadth OF preparation, have
brought into present peril. IT. warned by the
pass, officials, everywhere, high aud low, would
form and improve il theee respects the country would
feel easy. No. tie situation of the country, but the
management OF the cause, has created despo5dent
feelings.