Year: 1861

An accomplished writer thus groups together
with skill and dscernment the incentives to mil.
itary service under the flag of the Republic
"Never," he saws, "has there been in the his
tory of the country, and never probably will
there be again, such another opportunity for
young men who desire a noble career. War is
the most stirring of all human doings, the sphere
OF action which calls out the grandest energies
of our nature. In it, real superiority tells the
quickest and the surest In civil life, mere cir
cumstance has great deal to do in shaping a
young mans destiny. If in trade, no diligence
and no prudence can secure him from the con
slant eicissitudes of the commercial world. II
in profession, his speedy advancement depends
greatly upon fortunate connections, and other
Influences quite Independent of his real merits.
Agriculture and the mechanic arts. however re-
spectacle in themselves, can hardly satisfy him
who aspires to distinction. Politics, in these
days of political degeneracy, present little in
ducement to the young man who relies upon his
manhood; the chances are ten to one that chi.
cane would thwart him. But war, i'm its stern
necessities, brings the young man quickly to the
fairest of tests, and when it is once proved that
he has the true steel in him, there is no rank
which he may not hope to reach. 1t is a matter
of comparatively small consequence where he
begins. No young private, however friend
less and unknown, can exhibit superior intel
ligence and promptness in the camp, and su.
peror gallantry in the field, without attracting
the notice of his superiors. Promotion is sure
to come to him, because it is OF vital interest to
the entire army that it should be Officered as ef
ficiently as possible. He will not have to wait
long, inasmuch as vacancies are constantly oc-
curing both from the casualties of battle, and
from the forced designations of those whose un.
L ~elx~ L.
his foot into the ranks, the road to honor opens
before him, broad and high; it is for him alone
20 fix his mark. Many Of NapOleon's most ia
nous marshas began their career as privates.
Ii is the policy of our government to encourage
the same sort of promotion. Our War Depart
ment has already given the pledge of it by leav-
ing a considerable number of Eeutenancies va
cant for the express purpose of supplying them
with young men who shall prove their title to
them by noble action in the rank and file. The
places thus won will be far more honorable than
any obtained by personal favor. Their very
possession will be testimonial of sterling quail
ties that will in itself be continual recommen.
dation for yet further advancement. We hear
of young men who fail to 60 into the service oi
their country simply because they failed to &c,
the commissions they applied for. The military
spirit-saying nothing OF the pa:riotic-that car
be thus dashed must be of a very poor sort
The very fact that these young men are thus in
| fluenced to stay at home is pretty good proc
that they deserved to be disappointed. The
nan OF real soldierly qualities would be KEEP
back for no such reason. Every soldierly fibre
in him would be stimulated to make good hi
claim to what he had asked, and carve his way
to a commission with his own good sword. s.
long as the ranks are open to him, he need rely
upon no favors.


Not only military distinctions are to be won il
the service to which the country now calls, bu
the best chances for future civil preferment
There is no country in the world in which mill
tary galantry Is more honored than in this; an


he who has once proved himself true and faith
ful to the flag Of the republic in the storm o


battle has passport to the popular confidenc


that nothing else can give. 1t is certain that 70


the present generation the great majority Of ou


offices OF trust, from the Presidency down, wi


be filled by men who shall now peril their live


for the stars and stripes. The people will d.


volve their trusts upon the tried soldiers, bot


because they will desire to honor them and be


cause they are thoroughly tired of profession,


politicians. No sordid, corrupt, faithless natur
} can belong to a true soldier and the people il


stnctively feel it.


livery young man who seeks an honorab


future, who cares to figure in the grande.


drama Of the century, who has spirit enough I


feel that


| One crowded hour Of glorcus life


j. worth sy. without q name.


, who has soul enough to realize how sacred
, thing is patriotism, should hasten to the help


his country in this, its death grapple with hideo,
treason. Duty and glory alike urge it,"