The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-11-13
Our SOLDIERS ONCE MoRE AT HoMr.-Thers
are some persons whs have many fears for the

Our SOLDIERS ONCE MoRE AT HoMr.-Tbere
are some persons whs have many fears for the
country when, our armies being disbanded, our
soldiers shall return to civil life. They are
appEehensire that they will bring back with
them habits and opinions adverse to the we'll
being Of society. Nothing can be more ground
less than these apprehensions. The discipline
Of the camp Is in fact salutary one for those
who have been under Its influence. The man
who becomes obedent to his superiors, who
has often exposed bis life in battle, who is, by
the very nature Of things, obliged to be regular
in his conduct aud is continually Gallo upon
to exercise selEdenial and devotion 10 the In
terests of his country, has been In a school Of
a most unsellsh character. All petty and
trihing interests are laid aside under the
pressure of large considerations. The emo
able Objects and the character, while 1t is
sorely tried by restraint, nevertheless improves.
While some men, with vicious habits, soon sink
into disgrace and early lose health, reputation
and life, the largest portion who return to
their homes bring back with them the
very best kind Of feelings, and gain
corresponding esteem of their fellow citizens
They see and feel the Importance of many
duties they may have before neglected, and
the lessons they teach their children are of the
most honorable kind. How many families
tt 40 pride in the fact that they are the descend
ants of the veterans Of the Revolution and
how many strive to preserve the good name
which has thus come down to them. The very
best citizens, the most conservative the most
respectable and the most esteemed have this
sort of feeling; 1t is natural, and it ennobles
them. So the soldiers who have fought against
this rebellion will bring back to the communal
ties where they belong experience and an
example fruitful of good. Their children will
learn to emulate their love Of country and their
devotion to its institutions, and preserve the
good name which they inherit
During the recent exciting election in this
city, there were thousands of soldiers scattered
about among our people, and to the honor Of
these brave men, be it said there is not single
cause of complaint against them. Full of the
spirit of fun and frolic engendered by the
varying scenes Of camp life, they employed the
brief respite allowed them in amusing them
selves and in making all their friends happy.
Bnt for the uniform they wear, it would have
| been hard to tell the soldier from the civilian
during tho election. As intelligent and well
behaved as other people, they freely mingled
with the citizens and were everywhere well
received. In fact, so far as the department oil
the soldier Is concerned when away from the
discipline and restraint Of the army it is emf.
nently satisfactory. He is neither vicious
rude violent nor unmanageable, and can al
any moment divcst himself of his uniform and
return to the peaceful duties Of a simple citi
!, ecu. We think that this should be noted as
one among the other triumphs Of the American
| army.
| 1t has been remarked that the soldiers who
have served their time In the field, and pass
through our great cities, are we'll behaved,
modest and manly. In the excuses committed
by the disorderly in the streets we rarely see
our soldiers compromised. In the cars, in all
public places, they are quiet, respectful and
orderly. In the country homes to which they
have returned they become instructors and
philosophers, with attentive audiences. In
fact, they are producing the most interesting
changes in the popular MUD, and are a
guarantee against the decadence Of love OF
| country. These hundreds Of thousands Of re-
turned soldiers will be new element In the
moral force of public opinion, and q safeguard
for our future liberties