New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-14
OUR RRTURNING sOLDIERY.

/
When the period of the English Common
wealth was terminated by the death of Crom-
well, and the importation of that hard bargain,
tho Second Charles, tho veterans OF the IRON
sided legions went back to their baking and
brewing, their blowing and other early avoca'
tons, and became as famous for honesty IN
peace as they had been for bravery In war; 1t
was noted that they made uncommonly good
citizens, with whom II was always sale and
profitable aud agreeable to do business, so that
their truth, sobriety, thrift and application be.
came proverbal throughout the land, and eSpe-
cially in London. After civil war more con-
elusive in its results, or at least more promising
in its termination, albeit our Cromwell too il
taken from us, all our highways swarm with
disbanded soldiers seeking again their homes,
and ready, after years Of arms, to resume the
implements of peaceful diligence. The sudden
obtrusion Of so marked an element upon the
social life of that part Of the country which
has not practically experienced tho vicissl'
tubes Of war might, under other condi.
tons, give rise TO certain natural apprehensions
of violence, of riot, Of increased crime and OF
pauperism; but it is q remarkable and cheering
fact. that while tho war has immeasuraby in
creased the military skill and resources OF the
country it has not seriously affected its sobriety
of judgment, nor to any marked extent created
distaste for peaceful pursuits. This arises
chiefly, We suppose, from that distinct UNDER
standing Of the limited purposes OF the war;
which has made every soldier regard himself AZ
something better than the mere instrument Of
leaders eager for martial glory. but rather as one
of great posse comitatss charged with the en-
forcemcnt and vindication Of the law. This
high and holy work accomplished, the whole
work for which the army was organized ID also
accomplished, and the soldier retres, as q
special constable would retire after the suppress
sion of riot, to defend only by his vote the
liberty which no has secured by his sword. All
his suirerings and privations, his wounds and his
loss Of cherished companions, his painful ab'
sences, and the interruption OF his progress
toward competency, are the high price which
he has paid for tho privilege of living and dying
the citizen of permanent and prosperous Ne
public. and for the certainty OF transmitting
that privilege as heritage to his children, If be
can give them no other. The battles of war are
over and he checrfully turns ~ engage in the
battles Of peace. ,....
1t is for society at large, which owes al enor.
nous debt, transcending the obligations OF
common gratitude to its soldiers, TO its victori-
Gus defenders, to recognize each Of them a.
creditor who cannot be paid of by pension.
but who is entitled to watchfal assistance and
warm and helping hand; employment, each in
his private handicran. the respectful treatment
due to good servant Of the State, encourage
ment to surmount difficulties, and, We think
We may say, q preference, other things being
equal, when labor Is to DO assigned. 1t is hard
TO get back into old ways which have boon
abandoned. The places which once knew these
brave men may have been filed, and former
employers may haze disappeared. or may
have changed their business. The routine of
trade may have been dsaranged, and
the mechanic who left his bench to
go to Virginia or Georgia may not find that
bench standing upon his return. But We know
that there must DO work for all in this great and
teeming land. Always main difficulty with
the industriously inclined is, in the turmoil and
tangle Of society, to discover clue to guide
him, through the jostle Of conflicting interests
to the precise points at which daily bread is to
be had for daily work. Competition is too often
slonc-bnd and stony hearted in all that regards
the welfare of others; and those who labor
under peculiar difficulties and disadvantages, are
clearly entitled TO special assistance. God
knows We do not mean alms-gvng! A soldier
begging would be q sight to make an honest |
mans eyes red and rheumy. soldier asking !
for work need cause no tears, unless-which we
hope is not likely to hsppen-he should ask for
it in vain.
We have, by the blessing Of Providence,
achieved all the advantages of great military |
success, without the dangers, thus far, which |
too often accompany it. Now We want conf
pete social order, and a prosperity which shall
not be embttercd by injustice toward any
man, or by even the suggestion of any form OF
pauperism unmerited aud unoccasoned by hu.
man niirmitics. The country il deeply in debt
the waste OF this war, as Of oil wars, has been
postiye; and although We may set of against
this the economical gain likely TO follow the
disappearance Of compulsory slave labor, we
have still great work to do In recreating the
wealth which has been sunk In our ships, }
burned in our warehouses, or blown into mir