The New York herald., 1845-01-10
with the proper purpose and action of the forti6-

cOmmodations for the soldiers, cannot omit the
rize the substitution of the single iron for the
double wooden bedstead, and the erection OF build
ings for religious worship and schools at all our
the comfort health and cleanliness OF the soldier
aud the two latter would certainly elevate his mo-
| raj condition-an object to which the national e-
gslature has SO far benevolently and effectualy
attended to, as to give TO the rank and file of the
army and elevation Of character not to be found in
the military service OF other countries
OF the horse, or light field artillery, we have now
four companies, well drilled and expert in their
exercises, and yet defective their organization
To make these companies fully efficient, and to
enable them to receive all the instruction which SO
valuable an arm Of the military service demands,
portions OF the army, It is necessary that legal
authority should be given for the enlistment OF a
tew additional men to each Of these companies
inconsiderabe 1t would obviate too, the necessity
OF resortng to an expedient adopted in general
orders OF the l7th of October last, by the com
maapaGs general Of the army from his very proper
| tion now impaired to those light companies OF
artillery by periodical changes in their regiment,
and to have the number of men necessary to each
schoollof exercise to maneuvre with full, instead
OF partial battery. The horse artillery is generally
lnJudiciousy stationed when in forts, for it is en-
phsucalIy an arm for open field service. Superior
ltyHn horse artillery in the French revolutionary
wars generally securedthe victory 1t is therefore
an arm which cannot with impunity be neglected
Il should be stationed in time of peace in the in
terlor or on the western States, where forage and
serve to more advantage, as a model for forming
spirited uniformed volunteer companies that portion
OF the militia the most efficient and the more to be
encouraged
visited the military academy at West Point
during the examination, and must unite my CON-
nendatlens OF this valuable institution to the ma
py Al! my predecessors lts great prototype, the
celebrated Polytechnique, the creation of that bold
and great convention. which, with all It's faults,
showed that liberty in its very excuses still paid
homage to mind and science-this school. 40 iden.
titled with the glory Of France, and SO instruments.
al In the diffusion of modern science, has been
dency; while ardent but jealous lovers of freedom
IN our own country attack the strongest if not the
only democratic element of our military system
With, ] appIehend. mistaken and groundless
charge OF arlstocratlc tendency. The register OF
appointment of cadets affords ample testimony Of
the impartlality which follows the practice adopt
ed by the department, in the nominations to the
academy, aud that great portion Of the selections
are made from those conditions in our society the
least likely to imbibe principles, in the course OF
valuable education, at variance with the free re-
pb',,a psbcaan; IN institutions Of the country Neither
science acquired at the academy are equally and
fairly dlffnsed; and in very many and highly i'm
portant instances, the graduates, whether they
life, engaged in the execution of civil and CON-
nlercial works throughout the country.
Whilst, in my opinion, neither good sense nor
sound policy can sustain proposition to cut Of
the very principle of vitality from a military
tabllshment, yet it must be admitted that the
rage supply OF new members to army must be
made to depend upon its size; and It certainly
should not be allowed much to exceed the annual
number OF casualties, causing vacancies in the
service; otherwise the lower grade if left open to it,
would at times become SO encountered with num-
and promotions The tables Of the adjutant gene.
from ,rci I'll c.s,: .s,: ss ~; 4 re . ssan,
thirty; which,, therefore, should be the limit Of
annual promotions from the academy, or Of new
| appointments in the army. The vacancies are
| usually anticipated by attaching the graduates Of
the academy TO the army brevet second lieuten-
ants. 1t is objected that the many graduates thus
carried into the army by brevet commissions, have
been so great as to swell that class OF young Off
cers not very Justly designated a" supernumary,"
to number unnecessary and .burdensome upon
| the government. This would be true if all the
officers belonging to regiments and companies
duty; but the records of the adjutant generals Of
nee show that one officer s necessarily absent from
each company to perform duty in the general staff,
attne military academy. IN the general recruiting
| sence, and very few occasionally engaged on
| some special duty. When regard is paid to. the
oGcers thus drawn of, it will be found there is no
redundancy; and the technical military term s.ss-
pcrnumsry" 10 unjustly applied in our service,
public duty.
L
on casualties. and OF course SO vbratesas at times
life.
So long, therefore, as these brevet second lieu.
tenants are actually necessary, and engaged in pub
ic service, and whilst it may be deemed the po-
hey OF the country 70 secure and preserve a.
mount. OF military skill and knowledge which
might be diffused and employed with advantage
and efficacy through larger army, if our safety de-
| manded the increase, trust that public expedi-
ency may be so brought to bear upon this subject
profession for which they have been well and la
bOrously educated, and encouraged 10 enter by the
institutions of their country.
What may be the effect of the reduction Of the
l number o cadets appointed agreeaby to the pro-
visions of the recent act of Congress Of lst March,
lS43, is yet to be discovered. If the consequences
Of that act when fairly brought out, shall SO d.
mlnlsh the classes Of graduates that they will not
be equal to the casual annual vacancies in the army
| would II not be proper to pause, and suspend the
| adoption OF any contemplated measure in relation
to-he breyet second ieutenants, until it shall be
ascertained by experience whether that class of
young officers will not be gradually reduced, and
finally absorbed, by the operation OF the present
law! ! think such will be the ultimate effect,
aotwlhsiandns % iit Il may safely be admitted as
ilcipation OF more than the probable vacancies in
ne army In promoting a graduating class This
result may the more safely be relied upon, unless
The present admirable system should be departed
from, and graduation become a mere form inciden-
| ;al TO-. and necessarily following, as appointment
as cadet; j, is only while high proficiency shall
| be ngidy exac,ed from each cadet, that this
school will retain its reputation. If, however, a
| mistaken leniency shall ever be allowed to impair
lhis, II Will then no longer be merit to graduate
at this institution. Its reputation departing, true
friends of science and lcaraing would demand its
| bandment.
In closing my remarks upon the academy, can
not avoid the expressing OF my earnest desire that
/ aJointscommlttec Of Congress may be appointed,
and enabled TO visit and make a close and rigid in
spccuen OF the institution; TO report it's condition
andisuch amendments as they might deem to be
| expedient. II legislative enactments render the
| selection Of such a committee impractica-
| BILE, thinkn would then be proper 10 restore TO
this department the authority to appoint an annual
board OF visiters.
| do not consider il to be disadvantageous in the
military service Of republic to encourage resg-