Military virtue in an Army is a definite moral power which may be supposed wanting, and the influence of which may therefore be estimated--like any instrument the power of which may be calculated.
Having thus characterised it, we proceed to consider what can be predicated of its influence, and what are the means of gaining its assistance.
Military virtue is for the parts, what the genius of the Commander is for the whole.

The General can only guide the whole, not each separate part, and where he cannot guide the part, there military virtue must be its leader.

A General is chosen by the reputation of his superior talents, the chief leaders of large masses after careful probation; but this probation diminishes as we descend the scale of rank, and in just the same measure we may reckon less and less upon individual talents; but what is wanting in this respect military virtue should supply.

The natural qualities of a warlike people play just this part: BRAVERY, APTITUDE, POWERS OF ENDURANCE and ENTHUSIASM.
These properties may therefore supply the place of military virtue, and vice versa, from which the following may be deduced: 1.

Military virtue is a quality of standing Armies only, but they require it the most.