The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1893-04-08

up narrowing
thoughts of summary trials, decisive
acton, terrible sentences and quick
retrlbntioD, intermingled with tor
meqting visions of austere courts, de-
Jecaed offenders, and scenes verging on
the inquisitorial abuses of old A hor-
rlble panorama of an execution in some
secluded spot in the gray dawn haunts
the dismal fancy of the morbidly sensi-
tive, and in the minds eye is depicted
the hapless and helpless victim as he
totters on the brink of an open grave
and receives the leaden messengers of
death from smoking rifles in the hands
OF an unfortunate firing detail, who
are afterward seen to perform the sad
duties of a burial party.
In the face of such conce options who
could regard the life of the soldier as a
happy one? While such fancies NAV
not have been beyond the possibilities
OF dread reality in that gloomy time
when families were divided and brother
fought against brother, they are in
time of peace too absurd to be enter
tanned by intelligent persons, yet l
have frequently been asked if such
conditions now exist.
No, my innocent and civil brother,
such conditions do not exist nor have
they ever existed in this glorious coun-
try except in time of war, and even
then in fiagrant and desperate cases
only. Discard your gloomy thoughts
and learn that in these piping times of
peace, when every little offense and
minor breach of discipline is investi-
gated by either summary, garrison,
or general court-martial, it is not IN
uncommon occurrence for the genius
OF comedy to enter the inquisitorlal
chamber.
Who would think it? Comedy parad-
ing before court-martial! Even so.
A case comes to mind the ludicious
features of which came very nearly up
setting the dignity of the gold
decked members of court-martial
which was in session at one of our
western posts.
Private Schultz of Company B,-th
infantry, was arraigned to answer to
the awful charge of conduct to the
prejudice of good order and military
discipline. This charge is one of the
stereotyped kind which, like charity,
serves to cover multitude of sins. 1t
IS always on tap, is used extensively.
and will be found covering large per-
centage of accusations against military
Offenders. When all other specific
charges covered by the articles of war
fail to meet the requirements of case,
the somber and well-worn blanket of
conduct to the prejudice, etc" is
spread over sheet of legal cap and
the entire omnibus hurled at the un-
fortunate offenders head.
In this particular instance, the
charge was followed by long-winded
specification wherein it was set forth
that the aforesaid'Private Schute ''hav-
ing been duly and regularly detailed
as barrackroom orderly, did become
intoxicated and did fail to properly
perform the duties of his office,' and
that sin his drunken and unsightly
condition he did walk through the
streets of the garrison. This to the
disgrace OF the uniform which he
wore," etc.
To the reading of the foregoing bud
get of seriousness the unmanacled
prisoner listened in painful and patient
silence. When the judge advocate of
the court asked him what he had tosay
the stolid face Of the bronzed warrior
underwent a transformation and took
on soul-stirring air of injured inno-
cence as he very modestly asked that
plea OF not guilty be entered.
On behalf of the prosecution three
witnesses were introduced who testi-
led in support Of the heinous offenses