Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-25

dino Powers OF Europe Ss must aot oniy he'ssso
thairo but rye must also build vessels OF corfespoNu
inc size and description with those which they VIII '''
against u.s. . -, .,coosa the re-
| commendaton so often made by my predecessors o'
The establishment of higher grades in the naval service
This will be absolutely necessary II Inc Nasy '"o
be considerably increased and would De hcsny use,u
oven in its present condition Inc rank oi AuHrai 's
:, has existed through long course OF past ages, and
has been fully tested in the experience of all nations
n sin crisis and is still approued can perceive no.
thing in our peculiar situation to prevent US from pro-
| 6ttjno by the lesson thus afforded That which has
been found valuable in the naval service of other
tries, we have good reason 10 believe, will be equally
valuable in our own. But apart from this view OF the
subject, there many of positive character
why should no longer delay TO place ourselves upon
equality in this respect, with all the considerable
nations of the world.
II is, as general rule wise and polite to establish
as many grades possible in all military service. The
officer should always have before him station, yet
to be reached and worthy of high and generous am
bton. He who has attained all that is attainabe, has
no need of any further exertons than just enough to
sustain him where he Isl all beyond this is supereroga.
tory for he is permitted to hope that either the ut
NEST exertions of his powers, or the most generous
sefsacrices in the public service, will ever raise him
one grade higher in the ranks Of his countrymen.
ment according slow rate Of promotion; yet all
those who are fortunate enough to reach it, continue to
feel in no less degree than before, the depressing in
nuences 10 which have alluded. They daily see, in
the navies of other countries men, not older in the
vice than themselves more worthy in any respect,
filing higher stations, and enjoying distinguish
ing proofs of the confidence and gratitude of their
try They also of equal grade with themselves,
cheered and encouraged by the hope of weldeserved
prelerment, TO which they know that their coun-
al. L.
natural than that they should feel dishearened and
mortified and ultimately be forced to compare, dsad-
vantageousy 10 their own country its naval service
with that of other nations,
1t is considered wise and proper in tleArmy TO raise
the rank of the officer in proposition TO the number OF
men subjected to his command. There in that
vice nine different grades of commissioned officers;
while in the navy there but three hence It is very
difficult to arrange the comparative ranks of the two
services. Indeed, it is impossible to do without sup
posing new ranks in the navy, unknown 10 the law
This though not very serious evil, is an inconveni
ence which it is desirable 10 avoid; and, far the
oood of the service concerned is not perceived why
plain in the navy should be considered better adapt
cd to the command Of fleet, than brigadier general
in the army TO the command Of division. The two
services equally require rank according to the extent
Of command. 1t is true there is necessity for so
many grades in the navy IN the army but the diff
ference is in the lower grades only, and not in the
higher.
fcultes and embarrassments in the interchange of CT
Whites with those of other countries foreign stations
The admiral of England, France Russia, not will
inr to admit that he is of no higher grade than the
post captain of the United States Our commanders, in
order TO enforce from other countries the respect
which they themselves willing to pay, are COM
PEELED to insist that the highest grade of service in e
United States by whatever title it may be distinguish.
ed is equal to the highest grade Of service in any
other country; and, of course, that American post
captain equal rank with the admiral of any other
country whose commission is not Of older date This
claim is al least very questionable. Rank is positive
thing and by the consent and usage of nations in
dcated in the naval service by the flag which the
mander 1t is not surprising therefore, that the
admras of Europe should refuse TO recognise their
equals in rank the captains Of the United States, whose
very flag affords conclusive proof that their own
try regards them inferior. 1T is true, this claim Of
equality has, in instances been allowed, but it
is generally denied and hence, that interchange OF
friendly courtesies useful in preserving the harmony
and good understanding of nations has often been
prevented. In war, the inconvenience would be still
more serious. Whatever concessions might be made in
time of peace from feeling of respect and courtesy
lust claim Of rank would be yielded in time of war
The American captain called to act in concert with the
admiral of friendly nation, of younger date, would
necessarily be compelled 10 yield the honor OF the chief
command 10 contest it at the price of that harmony
which would be necessary 10 the of their joint
enterprise. 1t not TO be supposed that nations, whose
systems have been long established and acted on,
will Weld in this respect, to the peculiar views and
wishes of the United States. The inconvenience re-
sulting from anomalous position seriously felt,
and ought, in my opinion, to be removed, by placing
our officers on ground equally advantageous with that
which is occupied by those OF other countries and cor
responding commands
Additional ranks in the Navy would be eminently
useful an instrument Of discipline. The post cap
tain of to-day is precisely equal rank TO The oldest
post captain in the service He feels his equality from
the first moment that lie aains IT, and at the
mcnt the Discrimination 10 be commanded and con-
roed by his equal rises with him. He will not will
ingly submit 10 learn scholar, what his own posi-
ton authorizes him to teach. He looks TO separate
command for HIMSELF he begins to lay down systems
of his own and turns deaf to the lessons of ex
perence impaired by older heads because they cannot
claim auy higher rank. The respect and Difference so
necessary to discipline rarely felt, except where
there is difference of rank; and they are most strong
y felt where that difference is greatest. In this way
the creation Of higher grades would be advantageousy
felt through all the grades below them. 1t would be
particularly beneficial in its influences upon the younger
classes of officers upon whom 1t is so important tina
| correct impressions should be made.
There is vet another encouragement which should be
held out 10 our Navy in much liberal spirit than
has heretofore been manifested. Advancement in the
service has been slow, MS to render almost hopeless
to large number of most promising officers of the
lower grades Many would long since have retired
und pursuits unfit them for profitable occupations on
shore. Surely officer who has faithfully devoted &c
his country twelve or fifteen years of the prime OF h
life, and at the expense of all qualification for other
pursuits entitled 10 be advanced at least grade il
the ranks of her service. respectfully submit that
is not wise in 10 place ourselves in position TO be
compelled To entust to age and mbecility the duties
which require the vigor and energy of younger years
and yet, under the systems which have heretofore pre-
vailed, there few who hope 10 attain the higher
commands until they have also attained period of life
at which the best powers of man begin 10 decay.
If it be purpose TO increase naval force, We
cannot too begin TO train suitable band OF Off
GERS take charge of it, 1t is borne in mind, that al
though we can build goood ship in few weeks. i
requires twenty years of arduous service of active in
s,ruction and Of strict discipline, TO qualify an Officer
to command her. II, therefore, we would be prepared
for the exgences of the next twenty years, we mus
h begin preparations to-day. 1t is prodgality
to build ships, if we have officers TO command them
There is school for the officer but the ship itself
The theory which he may acquire on shore, although
necessary part of his education, only prepares him
bern 10 learn what he is required to know rs nava