Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-08-23
ToRCEs E R
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST ga, 1871


10 give tue peers Illuminating sense Vi llel
lessened Importance, and bring their attention
once more to the fact, that they are no longe
the class to be consulted first on great questions
But, the force of the blow they have received
can be more fully understood by considering tn
history and constitution of the British army
For the last two hundred years, this army, ST
far as concerns its officers, has been one OF TIN
most exclusive and useful possessions Of the
aristocracy, None but those recognized as gen
tlemen" have been allowed to receive commits
sions; and these, together with promotion, have
depended on purchase. The bravest soldier il
the ranks, no matter how capable and inteh
oent has not been allowed TO rise higher thar
the rank of sergeant. He could no more get be-
yond this than he could transform himself into
a prince a duke, or an earl. 1t IS easy to sec
whv the peers would not vote to change this iea-
ture oftbe army, and not difficult to understand
why the change was demanded by the public
opinion which now represents the nation and
controls the house of commons.
Previous to the revolution which destroyed
Charles /, Great Britain had no regular army
Before this time under all the sovereigns subse-
ouent to the Norman conquest, as well as in the
Saxon period, her fighting hosts consisted Of
lords and their retaners, the retainers, under al
circumstances, following the fortunes of theiI
feudal lord. In the time of Elizabeth, this mill
tary system of the feudal age was no longer eff
ficient. Social and political changes had modi-
fed the old relations of king, baron and vassal
out of which the system sprung, and it was be-
coming unavailable. What the system was, at
that time, is told in Froude's history of Eliza
beth; and the military condition of England, in
her reign, was accurately described by de Feria,
the Spaniard in letters to his sovereign He said
"The truth is, the realm is in such state, that
we could best negotiate here sword in hand
They have neither men, money, leaders, nor for
tresses while the country contains in abundance
every requisite for the support of an army"
The art of war was changing, but England had
not changed her old system. The first English
army organized and drilled in disregard of the
feudal system, was that of the Puritans, which
overthrow Charles l. and his cavaliers. A new
power the people, became visible, and the ar
mics organized by Cromwell and his associates,
were not subseryient to king or lord.
The present constitution of the British army
Charles H. sought to retain the regular army in
troduced by the Purtans, and keep it under his
own immediate control. This was strenuously
opposed by his parliament. Finally, it was
agreed that the army should be disbanded with
certain reservations. He might retain all the
regular soldiers necessary for guards and garri-
sons, and, also, as many more as he would "pro-
vide fol out of his own charges" and of this
concession, the king took pains to make as much
as possible. BY means of it, he kept an army
afoot; and his successor, James H., applied him
selfdigently to increase this army and fill it with
men who would support his purpose to revolu-
tionize the government, reign without a parlia-
ment, and restore the Catholic ascendency.
James was vanquished, which astonished him
beyond measure, and moved him TO run away
to France, as fast as possible. He was defeated
and William of Orange was made king, by
combination of "the noblemen and gentlemen
of the realm" They Immediately took meas.
ures to have it settled, that none save "noblemen
and gentlemen" should hold commissions in the
army; and, as a part Of this arrangement, the
purchase system was established. 1t was an ar
rangement between the king and the lords only,
the aim being to place the army SO much under
control of the peers, that the king could not
use it against their will.
This constitution of the British army was es-
tablshed two hundred years ago. During these
two centuries, the social and political changes
of the country have been so great and so rapid,
that is no longer the same. The influence Of
the peers has ceased to be supreme. They are
no longer able TO change the dynasty by de-
throning one king and setting up another. The
house of commons, so long mere creature of
the peers, is now becoming their master. This
house, which is coming more and more to rep
resent the people, is the actual governing pow
er of the kingdom. The peers reduced the
sovereign to be little more than form; the
commons are now doing the same for the peers,
and this is one inevitable consequence of the
great change going on in the nation itself. An
army controlled by the peers, and used by them
for social purposes, does not now represent the
nation and cannot be made properly efficient.
The abolition Of the purchase system means
that the English army shall be transferred from
the peers to the people, We are told that the
change causes a great sensation in "society ,
and'that "lades," as well as gentlemen" de
nounce it. Nevertheless, it is decreed, that
hereafter, the award of military commission.
shall be determined by merit and not by none,
and lordly favor.
In Cromwell's army of the Commonwealth
the officers were selected for their ability, am
their gallantry in the field, without regard I
any claim of social rank. After the restor,
ton, Charles II. carefully excluded from con
missions pebians who had no connection wit
'noblemen and gentlemen; and, under Willial
OF Orange, this system of exclusion was forma
ly established as the rule. We find the reaso
for it stated and explained very frankly as fo
1owo' '1n England, where men accustome
IRON thelr Doyhood to command. are the n,
eep'ed leaders OF men accustomed to obey, W
are entirely exempt from the hazard of havin
Lne army used to aid rnopuar revolution.
That is to say, the army. 80 orcanized can neve
De used in behalf of tb e people. for any purpos
which the aristoera-, v d;sailow. its chief mn,
pY'0 10 ~ - the people in their "prope
P'a0 ano uphold those who were "bom I
'e This was the original intention; bu
r sometime, it has been chiefly social al
pendage of the ariseocracy, needing radical n
construction to make it worthy of the BIRTHS
nation, as a military force. This reconstructo
has now begun, and CromwelPs rule relative
its commissioned officers is to be restored. Til
will not, as the tories have said, increase IL
hazard Of revolution; it marks the progress
that change which transfers power from II
arlstoeraey to the people, who will revolutions
Great Britain by taking control Of the house
commons.
The Irish People Advised.
The Boston Pilot talks 10 its readers in YER
sensible and wholesome way, concerning the du
ties Of lrishmen relative to public question.
and such demonstrations as sometimes rous