The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-10
SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 10, 1S4S.

ty which would have befallsn the tempting offers
Of the enemy had been accepted and privateers had
taken their letters of freely rendered and
ravished commerce in every sea, opposed only by
the inadequate defences of merchant vessel and
| restrained by the navy?
! In time of peace economy requires, and the public
interest do not forbid that the naval establishment
| should be comparatively small Considering our ma.
ritme position the great length and accessibility of
coast. and commercial Importance, our navy
is smaller than that of any other power. In this re
gard, in the general practical working of our sys
| tenn of protection, may safely rely on moral in
| fuenoe. In the extensive cruising grounds of our
ships of war 1t would not practicable to have
in every port 1t is enough that 1t is known that
dy to protect American citizens, and our countrymen
follow their lawful and peaceful pursuits on the broad
ocean. without moestation, although there may not
be a ship of within q thousand miles IL should
however, be large enough to serve as necleus capa
BILE Of any degree of strength which, in the event of
| contingency 1t may be called to put forth, One of
the most important requs sites in permanent naval
system for the United States, is its capability of
l. The abishsuent of docks and yards for building
and repair of ships the collection and preparation of
materials the construction of ships OF war ready for
launching and the purchase of cannon and munitions
of warm quantities suitable for emergencies
sures of wise precauton. But in the vast mercantile
and mechanical business of our country. these
plies to certain extent, perhaps to an extent suf
cent for the exgency may be procured when the oc-
casion for expansion shall arise 80, GOO, the hardy
mariners in merchant service would readily furnish
efficient for the increased number of sh fitted
TOT war winch maritime war may renuer necessary.
The difficulty of such crisis apprahend will not be
in providing or ships nor will 1t be in finding
brave hearts and ready hands to man and fight them
the difficulty will be neither in to fight in
terias to use but to officers in sufficient number
and with adequate experience to command aud direct
skilful naval officer fitted by education and expe.
rence in all the grades of the service to navigate and
fight ship of war, is not readily formed. To qualify
him for the responsible duties Of his profession must
be the work of years Personal courage, general in
teligence and experience in navigation not suf-
fcient, notwithsta nding exceptions be found,
raa hob tuf urn
in greater numbers than own yet am decidedly
OF opinion that, general rule naval officer should
enter the service at early age and passing through
all the grades and learn the various and complex du
ties OF his profession by personal experience and
peciallv thus learn to command those who may be
placed under him. do not therefore deem it uuwise
that our navy list contains larger number Of officers
than may be required in time of peace for the active
duty of their rank.
have no doubt that important improvements may
be made In our naval establishment.
Duty at sea 10 often attended with responsibility
hardshps and exposure. In the routine Of that duty
especially In time of peace, it must often become
notonous. and cease, in great degree to excite the
zeal enthusiasm necessary to high distinction 1t
Ia wise to bring into operation those principles of hu
inaction and Indifference in the performance of
the dull and dagreeable duties Of the profession The
most potent in my judgment, is the principle Of mill
tary rank involved in promotion from the lower to the
higher grades, by which the rewards Of military am
biton are secured to those who perform the arduous
and active duties Of their profession to those Who
their service and exposure and their ability for
vice, deserve them
NO one can OOuOt CnaC prOm0tlOn In the navy |
should be made the principles of merit service and
the capacity for duty vet the tendency of such |
system without the regulation Of LAW might be to
executive favor and to withhold from modest and
obtrusve merit the reward justly due to it. Under
seniority Of date Of commissio and as the laws now
stand am not prepared to say that unfavorable for
the interest of the public service this often proves
any other plan which the executive adopt would
be free from gre:t objections
qure by law that officers rendered UNFIT for duty
otherwise than by wounds received in battle, not
placed ON reduced pay cut Of the line Of promotion
Justice and policy would require that great esre should
cloudy without due regard to the rights Of all
The advantages of such system in guarding officers
tina them To the active and zsslou. nsrormance Of
duty, in exciting them to the acquisition Of profes
sienal knowledge and in securing to the meritorious
the rewards of promotion without having the way
blocked up by Others inferior and incompetent would
speedily devolope themselves Such measure would
ing laws officers who do not perform duty and in
capable Of it, in the receipt Of the full pay Of their
rank
Another great security for efficiency in the navy,
will be found in the education, and IN sfordng the
means tf Instruction to officers.
The beneficial effects Of the Naval School at An
napolis, upon theservice are already beginning 20
sensiby felt. The truth Is admitted by all that the
services required Of officers are more of the than
of the hand The result Of experience in the army,
that in proportion education has been encouraged
and the means Of acquiring 1t afforded, 80 have the
SeeAA
will not fail to be confirmed in the navy. An accom-
plished naval officer must understand all the sciences
with steam, the steam engine, and mechanics, with
gunnery, with chemistry with the languages Of all
tons with whom his duty brings him In contact and
with the laws of his own country and Of nations.
The lad who leaves his parents at the age fourteen
cannot be expected to have laid the foTndston even
Of so broad superstructure of knowledge The ma
val school promises to furnish the means Of attaining
these ends important for the navy 1t will produce
trust, the same happy points Of skil and knowledge
which the academy has produced for the
In its present condition. and for time to come
do apprehend that will be necessary for Congress
to regulate the details Of the school by law which
could only be modified, If found injudicous, by the
tardy process repeal amendment Of law After
larger practical experience the department aided by
a1H on da5y
interest in the subject will doubtless be prepared to
present more complete system.
necessary appendage to the institution Is vessel
of the navy fitted school Of practice in guunery
and navigation l earnestly recommend that the ap-
mate has been submitted may be made; and sp-
preparation was made for the general wants of the
Of makDg it at the approaching session Of Congress
There are now In one OF the rooms Of the building
numbsr of ars and other trophes Sy the
from public enemies in war. recommend that au
thority may be given by Congress to the Secretary of
the Navy under the direction Of the Presi dent, to
them to be placed with suitable labels at the
naval school, in the care 81 the superintendent
Under the act of the 18th April 1914 these trophies
have not been displayed 20 the public The proposed
disposition Of them would have good moral effect in
exciting in the youthful bosoms Of the midshpmen,
who to be the future commanders of ships Of
emulation Of the virtues and heroism of those
Of whose valor and skill these trophies the me-
mortal.
As soon as practicable after the proclamation Of
peace with Mexico, the seamen, ordinary seamen
landsmen and boys in the naval service reduced
by discharges below the number Of 1900, as required
by law.
By the third secton of the act Of August g. 1ss the
Secretary Of the Navy was directed 4" forthwith TO
contract with Messrs. Dskin Moody for the co ~
pete construction Of floating sectional dry dock,
basin and railway, at Philadelphia ~ with Messrs.
Guilbert Secor for the complete construction of
baIan floating dry dock, basin and railway, at Pen
sacoa ~ and with the other of the said respeo
tive parties for the complete construction at the
navy yard at Kttery Of floating dry dock, basin and
Iva either of plaoes ths Secrstarv