Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-12
WAR ON nUTToNs ANp FLOWERS.

As a rule. troops that are without dis
cipline can have no great degree OF con-
fidence in themselves or in their officers.
Experienced mCu know that while they
are enjoying the so-called sweets or IL
berry," IL often occurs that cup OF bit
terness is TO follow.
OF course, we would not have precisely
the same sort of discipline for the volun-
teers as for the regulars, for if we did few
men would be found TO volunteer. Ii 10
with the utmost difficulty that men can
be gotten to enlist in the regulars. The
obstacle arises chiefly from the fact that
in the regulars the officers keep their men
at very great distance. No officer would
be seen strolling about town with pri-
vate. Not so in the volunteer army.
There many Of the officers and men are
upon terms Of social intimacy. So. it
comes about that while the volunteer
army can get desirable men by hundreds
the regulars are glad TO get them by fyes
and tens.
But il is the purpose OF our government
TO see TO it that the volunteers are sum
GENTLY well instructed in the duty of the
soldier. The volunteer is 10 be taught
that discipline is necessary TO his own
well being as wei as to the safety Of the
army as an army. And so we find Gene
raj Arnold, who is commanding the Sc
cond Division OF Lees corps at Jackson
willie. issuing an order in which he warns
bis men against depredating upon private
reputable characters. 1t seems, too, thar
soldiers have been seen begging upon the
streets, and this he forbds-very rightly,
too. we imagine. Army rations are GER
tainly sufficient, and though they do not
comprise ali the delicaeies OF the season,
they are abundant 70 sustain life in the
most muscular patriot. Money given TO
begging soldiers is rarely spent by them
for food, but generally for drink.
General Arnold also calls the attention
OF his men TO the fact that all or them
do not carry out the army regulations
with respect 20 salutes. lie demands
reform in this respect. lie regrets to
hear, also. that they appear upon the
streets not in uniform, with badges, but
tons. flowers. ribbons, and other trinkets
on their blouses and shirts"
The General-with much reluctance, we
suspect-orders that these unsodierlike
methods be abandoned. He expresses his
earnest desire that the troops of his COM
mand ''be soldiorly in their bearing ana
behavior and neat in their appearance,
and that they remember they are repre-
sentatives Of the nation, Of which they
are defenders" His men will not be al
lowed 10 leave camp "unless IN uniform,
and badges. ribbons, flowers. buttons, or
other unauthorized decorations must not
be worn on the uniforms"
We judge that this part OF General Ar |
nold's order will grieve many OF the gay, |
young soldiers. by their dress they win |
no longer be able to confuse the minds OF
girls as 10 whether they are privates or |
heterogeneous.
Upon the whole, we conclude that Gen.
eral Arnolds order means that the time |
for playing soldier at Jacksonville has
passed IL would seem that his men have
had much latitude, and that many of them
have used IL 90 the deirimsnt OF their
own hezlth and somewhat to the dis
credit OF the service. There's to be no
more OF that. The boys have had their
tnn--''boys Will be boys"--but they are
now 10 be made 70 "come down" 10 real
BARD work. Henceforth, they are 20 lead
he lives Of disciplined veterans. We dare
Iay the majority Of them will acauiesce
IN this conclusion, especially as It seems
10 be the purpose Of the General 10 use
lhis discipline In tho interest or the sol
Hers health
II We were permitted TO give General
Arnold bit OF advice. we would say to
BIN that he Is right in trying TO maintain
discipline, but that In doing SO he ought
10 give ten times as much attention TO
sanitary measures AS 70 warning against
buttons and lowers. And. inaxmuch as