The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-08-18
THE DEMORALIZING CANTEEN.
An Appeal for Its Adjustment from
the Army of the United
States.

An Appeal for Its AbOlishment from
the Army of the United
States.
The canteen is a drinking vessel in
dispensable to the soldier. Nobody OBJ
jects to it. There is another canteen,
also for drinking purposes, of such
sort as the saloon of towns and cities.
1t is authorized to sell a variety of
articles of use anG luxury, such as sol
diers ought to haze; but it is very often
little more than a drinking saloon.
Now, whatever a solder may need,
we know that he does not need alco-
holic drinks. If he needs alcohol in the
form of medicine, he can get it in the
hospital. The temptation to use it as
a beverage ought not to be thrust
upon him. He is under far less moral
restraint than at home; what he
might resist under the influence of
family and friends, particularly good
women, he succumbs to under the
careless morals of camp life.
Every canteen that sells liquor thus
becomes, under the natural laws of
dissipation, source of decentralization
and disorder. Rigid discipline may
keep down disturbances, but harm is
done to individual soldiers which the
keen eye of the drill master can hardly
fail to detect. Not only does the cam
teen business affect the moral and dis
ciplinary life of the country's defend
er, but his physical well-being. We
read of the rigid examinations which
the government surgeons are making
at state camps, resulting in the rejec-
ton of so per cent, in some instances,
of the applicants. 1t wants sound,
strong, sturdy men. Having taken SO
much care to get them, ought it not
take every care of them when they arc
in its service? Heat and tropical dir,
ease, which constitute a foe as for.
midable almost as the Spaniards. for
bid alcoholic drinks. Stanley said any
strong man could stand the climate Of
the Congo, if he would let fermented
and distilled liquors alone.
On the ground OF health alone the
government should forbid the can
teen. 1t has done so at Camp AIger, in
Virginia, because that happens to be
prohibition territory, and the civil au-
thorities are vigilant in defense of the
laws But great wagon loads of beer
are consigned to the officers, and the
rule forbidding sales at the canteen
are thus nullifed. The results of the
regimental cauteen at Chickamauga
are shocking. They are often crowded
with soldiers still in their teens. The
profits go to the regimental funds, and
these funds are used to buy ice and
various supplies, and this is made an
excuse for sales that ought not to be
tolerated in any camp. The scenes at
Tampa in the drinking places are riot
Gus and disgusting. Soldiers stand at
bars five and six deep fighting for their
turn.
We do we'll to honor our soldiers, to
provide them with good camps, good
food, good clothing and all other
actual needs; it is right that they
should be paid for their inestima-
BILE service, and when disabled or part
ly disabled they are entitled to pen
sions; but it is not less important that
their moral welfare should be upon
the heart of the nation. Abolish the
canteen, rescind the special privilege
of officers, and let our camps be freed
from the presence of that which breeds
incalculable moral and physical evils.
Our men must have fruits and
canned delicacies, and articles of
comfort and means of reasonable rec
reation. We already have, in the army
commission, in the National Relief as
sociation and similar organizations,
channels whence gifts of that nature
may be sent to our soldiers. The can
teen is not needed for these supplies.
Let the country offer of its vast re-
sources dainties, comforts, needful
luXuries for our army, and let that
scourge of civilization, the saloon,
the moral pest-house of our slums, be
barred out of every camp. 1t is shame
to us to be engaged in debauching
those who should be our stanch de-
tenders. or to allow others to do it.
Colonies can suppress it; surgeons can
protest effectually against it. Cast
out the canteen.-N. Y. Independent.