The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-13
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS.
WAsHINGroN, Jan. 9, 1876.

Jan. -, 1910.
Dear Sir This is a New Era-it ushers in
the year 1876, abolishing at blow The old and
worn out principles of all parles-then why should
the Navy remain in statu quo, and continue old
and decrepd, hobbling with tremulous and timid
gate behind the times? Such should not be the
case-it should be invigorated- life and ac-
tivi,y should pervade every department in it,
must confess that while perusing the able and
firm document of Mr.. Bancroft, my blood run
through my veins with redoubled velocity, and
feelings of admiration, that, at least, we had at
last found one honest. firm and determined man
who was intent in giving life and energy to the
Navy. have too long had bawled into nv ears.
the g Fathers of the Navy" | repeat, thea are
gone and those which remain are only the
city TO the tree even after the frosts of autumn
and SHOWS of winter have rendered it worthless
The old, decrepid and useless should at least be
put aside and give place to the energetic talented
and efficient.
1t is a remarkable fact, all the battles of the
late war were fought, andthe victories won, by
the young. Commodore Decatur was i his 3Oh
year, Porter 35, Stewart Sc. Hull Sd. Perry %,
McDounough %, Bidde 80. Jones 40 Those
who were older and had an opportunity to engage
either from that natural cauiousness of old age,
or a want of energy, did not distinguish them
selves, were, Rodgers So, Chauncey Sd, Barron
SO. Those heroes who have shed around the
American Stars and Stripes halo of glory thir-
'y-eight years ago, gained all their honors in the
prime of life. Those who are now at the head
OF the Navy attained their present position ere
they have entered the middle age Of man their
whole faculties were fully developed and had
| arrived at maturty-since then, old aye las crept
slowly upon them, drying up both their physical
and mental energies. They stand now, IN i'm.
provements, where they were in 1918, at that
day no Steam Vessels navigated the oc can, no
Railroads stretched their lengthed course along
our vallies-the science of Steam was scarcely
known; many of the present Scientific d!scov-
cries of Magnetic Influences, Electricity and
Chemistry, were not kaown--and it is one of
those facts which require neither argument nor
further proof. that, after certain age. man has
no desire to improve, on the contrary, both phys.
ical and mental faculties decay.
Who are we to appoint to command our Steam
Navy ?-surely not the old and decrepid surely
not those who do not know the first principles
which govern the moving power of machinery,
by which these vessels are propelled Who are
we TO select to command onr future fleets, sbips,
&C. Surely not those who have fallen into the
scar of life, yet those who arc inefficient. 10
norant and incapable.
Mr. Bancroft has opened the door to those who
are energetic, talented, and wish to be useful
he has ably immorIalized by his pen the heroes
of his country-he has done a better and nobler
act by plainly and boldly advocating the repubi
can principle of advancing talents and youth-let
him, with firmness, continue his course, and fu-
ture historians will hand his name down to fame.
with as mnch pride and pleasure, as he felt in re
cording the deeds of his country's benefactors.
He has reused yindictive feelings in the breasts
Of the old lions Of the Navy-nor must he expec,
ever to meet with favor from them-every effort
will be made, on their part, to humble him and
abstract from his authority. If he falters he is
lost-it IS the sincere prayer Of your correspon
dent that he may be mphant-gloriously
triumPhant-and that he may cleanse the Augean
table.
Yours truly. JACK FLYBLOCK.