Year: 1859




paper says that it is generally believed
throughout tho Austrian Empire that tho re-
cent Italian war will result in reorganization
ofthc army, and its assimilation in it's internal
discipline to the standard adopted by the
French. In a country like Austria, in which
public opinion passes ordinarily for nothing,
when opposed by the interest or wishes Of the
governing classes, but little popular clamor
eau hc excited; hut throughout all tile German
part Of tho Empire there is no attempt On tue
part Of tie press or tho middle classes to con-
ceal their dissatisfaction at :ho results Of the
Into campaigu-results which are attributed
not to infcriority Of the Austrian r,lnk-and-fle,
or to lack Of proper munimcntA, but to the
notorious incapacity and misconduct OF the
officers by whom that rauk-and-dlo were led
They say, what is perhaps true enough that
at Magenta and Solicrino, the equality Of the
Austrian, when compared with tho French
man, in all that is essential to victory, was
clearly established; but tlsat defeat was suffer-
cd because tue steady bravery and admirable
discipline Of the MASSES wcrc ncutralizcd hy the
want Of genius in commanders, aud lack Of
capacity in their subordinates Of the line and
staff. Hence the demand is universal that t,rc-
fer1ncnt hereafter shall depend, not upon the
accident Of BIRTH the iavor Of courtier, or the
partiality Of a fami]y, but upon merit alone; in
aword, that, from the highest to tho lowest
tho plaecs Of honor in the army sha1l bo thrown
open to those who are willing and ablc to win
them by their superior skill or bravery; and TINT
tie proscript'vc right Of the aristocsacy to the
leadership aud to all posts Of lesser importance
ehall he abandoned, in favor Of the new and
democratic system Which tic agita.ors labor to
inaugurate. 1t is not probable that any p1o-
BFess will he made in the direction indicated,
The influence Of family. the obedience Of the
masses, tho dread Of change and the hatred Of
mcEitorloua men not Of the privileged class,
Will delay the proposed reform until new de-
tents aad more serious disasters coupcl its
adoption


In this effort Of the real friends Of tho AUS
TRAN Empire to secure recognition Of the fit-
ness Of tic men Of the lower classes for some-
thing else than unquestioning obedience to
assumed authority, the Government Of this
Republic, which, in the organization Of its
forces, haa initiated tho bad example Of tie
worst European dcspotism, Inns something val.
uabIo to learn Our army and navy are stand
ing .cproaches 10 the democratic theory upon
which our civil institutions are founded-are
daily and practical denial Of the truth Of al
that our statesmen and politicians allcge.
Both are essentially exclusive and a1istoc1atic
in their organization. Both arc given IN to
the command Of those whom favoritism at first
-and routine afterwards put fmward. In
neither has tie most conspicuous merit any
chance Of recognition If found outside Of the
otllcia1 circle. Tho t1ado ol fighting man
does not require either that amount Of mental
or moral culture which tic million must dcsruir
Of possessing. War is certainly less difficult
pursuit than legislation. Yet we fcarlessly
entt1st the business u law-making, whereby
the property and liberty Of every individual In
the nation is Affected, 10 those who could not
command an ensign's commission in tue inc,n-
Try if the peace of the world depended upon his
Buccess. 1t is this practical denial Of merit in tbc
rank and fle, this assumption Of superiority on
the part Of those whom have ecized upon tic
posts Of houor this building up an aristocracy
in the ranks Of democratic army, II wl,ict, VIC I
complain. Tho French though submitti1.; to
q civil deEpotism, permit ilo such exclusive
ness in their military system, The road to
pEete1ment j. open to all. The poorest and
most ignorant trooper may not despair Of win.