The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-20
Tho Militia DIutiny.

The disgraceful conduct Of the members of
the Eleventh regiment ct Prospect Park.
Brook lyn, on Thursday, calls for prompt and
decisive action on the part of the authorities.
The State of New York has reason to be proud
of its National Guard, and such an unforeseen
occurrence as that which now blots its fair
record should never be permitted to happen
again. This desirable end may be attained by
making signal examples Of these mutineers
and INJECTING upon them the heaviest punish
ment that the military code calls for in
such case The men evidently were igno-
rant Of the first principles of military
discipline or they would never have been
guilty of such unblushing audacity. The
action of the General in command is praise
worthy for its promptness and uncom-
promising soldierly firmness, and such an
example will be beneficial to the officers Of
the National Guard. The mutineers were
taught q severe lesson that they were not
merely playing soldiers" but that the stern
discipline of the tented field must be main
tanned, even at o parade. The cause of the
mutiny was liquor, and strict investigation
should be made at the court mar
tial into the conduct or negligence
of the officers who allowed their men to drink
on the parade ground to such an extent as to
be incapable Of obeying orders. Discipline
should be maintained in every militia regi-
ment as strictly as among the regulars, other
wise our national guard will become dam
gerous and useless luxury. We understand
that the Military Commission appointed to
try the mutineers will commence their labors
at an early day. Report speaks of lament
able condition of affairs in the Eleventh
regiment, cashiered officers and outside parties
serving in the ranks. For the good name Of
the National Guard of New York let not this
disgraceful affair be hushed up, but let stern
justice be dealt out to all, general or private.
The Loss OF THE PACIFIC MAIL STEAMER
COSTA RIGA, on Thursday last at Point
Diablo, near the entrance of San Francisco har-
Dor, was evidently in consequence of the most
culpable recklessness, negligence, or stupidity
on the part Of the responsible officers Of the
ship The steamer, it appears, was trying to
make the harbor under full head of steam in
dense fog. when she struck with tremendous
force, wrenching her timbers from stem to
to stern, and making hole in her bows
through which the water rushed in torrents.
Of course the ship went down but strangely
enough under all the circumstances, all the
passengers and crew escaped with their lives.
This is but another added to the remarkable
list of such misfortunes suffered by the Pacific
Mail Company but from the present up
heaval in Wall street this loss of the Costa
Rica calls for something more from the COM
pany than passing report of the wreck and
the company, it is to BIO hoped, appreciate the
dangers of the financial situation sufficiently
to know their duty in the premises and their
course of safety.
ALL GAMBLERS. The men in Wall street.
whether they be bankers or curbstone specu-
lators, who buy and sell, and enter into
schemes to make money out Of fctitiously
created values, or by taking the money Of un-
wary and simple-minded people on o false
pretence of values, ore not o whit better than
professional gamblers. The men who deal
at faro and the proprietors and touters of
gambling houses arc scarcely pursuing
worse or moro demoralizing business The
gliding which the names of bankers and
brokers and the air Of responsibility give does
not make the offence less immoral If man
goes to his neighbor making false representa-
tons knowingly, and through the influence of
his assumed responsibility and cunning argu-
ments induces him to buy stocks or bonds
that have not the value pretended, wherein
does be differ from the mock auction menp
If banker takes the deposits of his confiding
customers and invests them in very doubtful
schemes to promote his own interests or to
bolster up his bankrupt condition, is there
much difference between his conduct and that
of robber who picks ones pocket2 Many
of the Wall street Spectators ore no better
than faro gamblers, and though the law may
not reach them, they systematically rob the
unsuspecting Need we wonder, then, at the
frauds, defalcations and general demoraIza-
ton that prevail in the community