The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1841-12-17

The officer should always have before him some sta
ton, yet to be- reached, and worthy Of high and ge
ambition. He who has attained all that - at
tainable has need of any further exertions than
just enough to sustain him where he is all beyonc
this supererogatory for he is not permitted TO hops
that either the utmost exerons OF his powers thu
most generous efsacrfces in the public service viii
ever raise him one grade higher in the ranks of hi
countTymen.
A captaincy in the Navy is of very difficult attain
ment, according TO slow rate OF promotion ye
all those who are fortunate enough TO reach it, con
iinue TO feel in less degree than before, the de
pressing influences to which have alluded. They
daily see in the navies of other countries, men, mo-
older in the service than themselves more worth,
in any respect, filling higher stations and enjoying
more distinguishing proofs of the confidence and gra
tltude OF their country. They also men, Of equa
grade with themselves, cheeed and encouraged b,
the hope of wel-deseIved pIeerment to which they
know that their own country does not permit them t
aspire. What be more natural than that the,
should feel disheartened and mortified and ultimately
he forced 10 compare to their owl
country its naval service with that of other nations
II is considered wise and proper in the army u
raise the rank of the officer in proportion the mum
Der of men subjected TO his command. There arr
in that service nine different grades of commissioned
officers, while in the navy there but three hence
il is very difficult to arrange the comparative ranks
of the two services. Indeed il is impossible to do il
without surprising new ranks in the navy, unknown
to the law This, though not very serious evil i:
an Inconvenience which it is desirable 10 avoid and
far the good of the service is concerned, il il
not perceived why captain in the navy should be
considered better adapted TO the command OF fleet
than brigadiersgenera 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 no necessity for many grades in the navy
as in the army; but the difference is in the lower
grades only and not in the higher.
Our naval officers are often subjected to serious
difficulties and embarrassments in the interchange OF
civties with those OF other countries oeign sta
tons. The Admiral of England, France, or Russia
is not willing to admit that he is of higher grade
than the Post captain of the u ned States. Our
manders in order to enforce from other countries the
same respeci which they themselves willing to pay
compelled TO insist that the highest grade of ser
vice in the United States by whatever title il is dis
ngushed, equal to the highest grade OF service in
any other country and OF course that an American
post captain of equal rank with the admiral Of any
other country whose commission is not of older date
This CLAIM Is at least very questionable. Rank Is a
positive thing and by the consent and usage of ma
tons, is indicated In the naval service by the flag
which the commander wears Ii not surprising,
therefore, that the admrals Of Europe should refuse
to recognize their equals in rank he captains Of the
United States, whose very flag affords conclusive proc
that their own country regards them inferior. II
IS true this claim of equality has in some 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 incon
venience would be still more serious. Whatever con
cessIons might b. made in time OF peace from feelings
of respect and courtesy, Just claim OF rank would
be yielded in time OF war The American captain,
called to act in concert with the admiral vi friendly
nation of younger date would necessarily be compelled
TO yield the honor of the chief command, to contest
It at the price Of that harmony which would be neces
TO the of their Joint enterprise. II il not
to be supposed that nations whose systems have been
so long established and acted on will yield in this re-
spec the peculiar views and wishes of the United
States. The Inconvenience resulting from our ano-
malous position seriously felt, and ought in my
opinion to be removed by placing officers on a
ground equally advantageous with that which is occu
pied by those Of other countries and corresponding
commands.
Additional ranks in the Navy would be eminenty
useful as an instrument OF discipline. The post cap
tain Of day is precisely equal in rank to the Oldest
post captain in the service. He feels his equality from
the first moment that he attans it, and at the same mo-
mt the dissemination to be commanded and con-
lrolled by his equal rises with him. He will not viii
lingiy submit to learn, scholar what his own po-
ston authorizes him TO teach. He looks to sepa-
rate cammand for himself; he begins to lay down sys-
tens Of his own and turns deaf to the lessons
OF experience impaired by older heads, because they
cannot claim any higher rank The respect and dete-
renee, necessary TO discipline rarely felt, except
where there is difference of rank and they are mos,
strongly felt where that difference is greatest In this
way the creation of higher grades would be advanta
geously felt trough all the grades below them II
would be particularly beneficial in its influences upon
the younger classes OF officers, upon whom i Is SO i'm
portant that correct Impressions should be made.
There rs yet another encouragement which SHOULD
he held out to Navy in a much more liberal spirit
than has heretofore been manifested Advancement
in the service has been slow, as to render IL almost
hopeless 10 large number of our most promising ofii
Gers of the lower grades Many would long since
have retired from il in despair but fo- the fact that
their education and pursuits unfit them for profitable
occupations on shore. Surely officer who has
faithfully devoted to his country twelve fifteen years
of tho prime Of his life and at the expense of all quail
ificaton for other pursuits is entitled to be advanced
at least grade in the ranks of her service. | re-
specfuy submit THAI it is wise in to place
selves in sltion to be compelled to enrust to age
and imbccity the duties which require the vigo and
energy OF younger years and yet under the aystems
which have heretofore prevailed, there are few who
can hope to attain the higher commands, until they
have also attained period of life at which the best
powers Of man begin to decay
IL ii be our purpose to increase our naval force we
cannot too begin to train suitable band of Off
GERS to take charge of it. 1t is to be borne in mind
that although can build good shipin few weeks
II requires twenty years of arduous service of active
instruction, and Of strict discipline to qualify Off
Ger to command her. IT, therefore, we would be pre-
pared for the exigencies of the next twenty years
must begin preparations to-day. 1t is mere prodi-
gaty to build ships, if we have no officers TO com
mand them There is school for the sea officer but
the ship itself. The theory which he may acquire
shore, although necessary part of his education,
only prepares him to begin to learn what he required
to know as a naval commander. small fleet prop
erly employed will afford such school to pupils
enough to supply large one. We should not there
fore, wait to build ships, before begin to train
their officers We have at present not enough for our
Navy if all ships in commission. Those ships
if actively employed together with such as shall be
built from time to time, even under the most restrict
ed scheme the of naval force, will
afford all necessary means of employing and training
twice the present number of our officers of every
grade
There is an absolute necessity for large increase
Of the marine corps On this subject refer to the
accompanying letter of Colonel Henderson, and the
tables which he has prepared for the information OF
this Department, mo, To- From these it will be
seen hht nothing less thsn three times the present