The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-24
From the ". Y Sun
ENLlSTMENTS IN THE NAVY

We have received several communications upon
this subject all with single exception holding out
the high and strong inducements which young Ameri.
can citizens have Tor entering the Navy. The single
correspondent who speaks doubngly upon the sub
ect processes desire to enlist but asks despondngy
what chance he should have of promotion what en-
enlargement that he should be any thing more than
sailor all his life what object there is in this I
and also complains that it is often the worst class Of
citizens who resort to the Navy meas of live-
hood after all other resources have failed We will
endeayor to give him brief but satisfactory answers
TO his questions.
In the first place. to promotion the path lies open
to every honest tar whose Abilities whose strict
tcnton to duty, whose bravery and ntrepidy entitle
him to it. And the sphere Of promotion must ney-
tably soon be enlarged A gradual increase of the
Navy is now the settled policy of the Government,
and as a necessary consequence, new and higher
grades of officers will be introduced. This take
it for granted will be the case, even if the country
continues to enjoy the blessings of peace and should
we be involved in war; the increase of the Navy and
the consequent promotion OF officers would be ra-
pid as could be desired by the most ambitious
But we can assure our correspondent that there is
an object III being mere sailor without reference
to promotion. We never see one of our hardy tars
in the street wearing the dress of the American Navy
and conducting himself as becomes his station, with
out feeling deep and profound respect for him. As
he passes along, his counrymen turn to look at him,
and say there goes one of our gallant defenders
whose high privilege is to bear the stars and stripes
III triumph 10 every land, ana over every sea. Inc
tarpauln hat and nankeen collar, well the epau-
lette and the sword, recall to mind the glorious
achievements of our inyincible Navy.
There is, then an object in being mere seaman
in the American Navy There is certainty of reg
ular occupation, Of comfortable livelihood and no
norable distinction. If man has any inclination for
seafarng life, if he desire to his country if he
be brave and patriotic, he find more desirable
sphere of action than the Navy, whether his lot fall
among subalterns officers.
whether it is not bad class of citizens who enter
the Navy, For when they enter it and submit to its
order and discipline, they must do if they remain
there is class who conduct themselves with more
them have been reclaimed from former bad habits
the fact SO far from being dsparaging is honorable
alike to them and to the service.
And we here again take OCCASION as we have oft
done before to call the attention of parents and
ing boys as apprentices. 1t is working admirably,
1t has cleared streets of many idle boys, that
would have grown up in vice, and has placed them
in position where they will honor themselves and
their country Among the ranks of these webe-
hayed we-educated, and thoroughly disciplined
young apprentices, we may see our future Lieute-
nants, Commodores, and Admiras, who, but for this
system, might have been confirmed in vicious habits
and become inmates of prisons Every exerton
should be made to induce the multitudes of idle boys
that still throng our streets, and growing up for
certain infamy, to accept this opportunity of chang
log their fatal for the higher and nober career
that is thus opened to them,