The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-08

Colonel Burton, with display of the highest skill
and courage by officers and men, while their con
duct was so Just and humane that large portion of tn
inhabitants especially of Lower California deeply regre
that they too not TO have the advantage of our law
and institutions, and the protection of glorious flag
All VIII concur IN admitting that the troops to Cali
lorna, with their acknowledg courage and military
SKILL were not IN sufficient force to have conquered ant
maintained the occupation of the country, without th
encien service OF the officers and men OF the squadron
both ashore and ahoat
In the Gulf OF Mexico from the beginning of the war
by cooperation al the Brazos, while the battle of Pale
Alto raging, by the capture of Tampco by protect
ing the transportation and the landing of the troops
Vera Cruz, by Its gallant cooperation the sege, BON
barmen and capture OF that city and It's defences BY III
successful operations against Tabasco. Tuspan, Laguna
and other points IN the interior and the coast but
peclay by holding constant command OF the sea, anC
by its vigilance and activity excluding contraband trade
and supplies OF munitions of from the enemy the
squadrons rendered the most important services to the
common country These services rendered in
most nhospllable climate and IN the midst of suffering
and death, caused by the enemy In the honorable
conflict of arms but by the silent ravages OF disease AL
this was accomplished without Withdrawing the squad
ronS from other stations
So effective has been the performance OF the duty oil
the navy IN every quarter OF the globe that ncreas
ing commerce IN the most distant has felt no check
and met no interruption, Notwithstanding were for
more than two years engaged IN active hosilities with
enemy possessing extensive seacoas on the Pacific
and Atlantic oceans Not single American vessel was
lost 10 her owners by capture by the enemy under the
rights OF war, and there not, 1t is believed, any
terial effect produced on marine insurance
These suspicious results, favorable to our commerce
and navigation to be attributed the respect which
IS universally felt for our flag abroad and that respect is
the honorable reward of the skill and courage the dscre
ton and Justice the vigilance and boldness with which
the navy has performed It's duty
1t is the settled policy of the United States maintain
navy; but II notwithstanding its gallant exploits long
since achieved, and its practical long acknow-
edged, IT were undecided question whether the United
States should foster and cherish navy the per-
formed in the late would go far settle it, With
out the guns OF our squadron how easily might the troops
which formed the army under Major General Scott when
crowded in transports and crossing the Gull, have been
destroyed by few Insignificant cruisers But for the
same protection, with what advantage might they not
have been met landing the enenys shores through
dangerous surf But for the entire control OF the
mys ports by our active cruisers how long might not
the have been proraced by the introduction of
munitions OF and other supplies for the enemy, and
what disasters would not have threatened they had
befallen gallant army, the enemy could have pre-
vented the introduction OF these necessary supplies for
our own troops Who can estimate the loss of life and
property which would have bealen us If the tempting
offers OF the enemy had been accepted and privaeers
had taken their letters OF marque freely rendered. and
avaged commerce in every opposed only by the
Inadequate deienCes OF merchant vessel, and unre-
strained by the navy
In time of peace economy requires, and the public in
teress do not forbid that the naval establishment should
be comparatively small Considering maritime posi-
ton, the great length and accessibility OF coast, aud
our commercial Importance, navy smaller than that
OF any other power. In this regard in the general
practical working of system of government we NAV
safely rely moral influence In the extensive cruising
grounds of squairons, need employ time OF
peace but few ships of war; it would not be practical
BILE TO have every port 1t is enough that it is
known that flag is afloat, and that American ship
OF ready to protect American citizens and our
counrymen follow their lawful and peaceful pursuits
the broad ocean without moestaon, although there may
not be ship of within tho lsand miles II should
however, be large enough to nucleus capable
oil any degree OF strength which the event of contn
gency may be called to put forth One OF the most i'm
pOrtan req usIte5 permanent naval system for the
United States, is its capablity of large expansion.
The establishment OF docks and yards for building and
repair OF SHIPS the collection and preparation of mate
rla5 the construction OF ships OF ready for launch
ing, and the purchase OF cannon and munitions OF
in quantities suitable for emergencies, measures
of precauon. But in the vast mercantile and
mechanical business OF country, these supplies
to certain extent, perhaps to extent sufficient
for expansion shall arise So, too, the hardy mariners
IN our merchant service would readily furnish et
Gent for the increased number of ships fitted for
war, which a maritime war may render necessary The
difficulty of such crisis apprehend will be in pro-
vdug guns SHIPS will 1t be in finding brave hearts
and ready hands to man and fight them the difficulty will
be neither to fight, materials use, but
officers in sufficient number and with adequate experience
to command and direct skilful naval officer, fitted by
education and experience in all the grades Of the service
to navigate and hight ship OF war; not readily formed
To qualify him for the responsible duties of his profession
must be the work OF years. Personal courage general
intelligence, and experience in navigation not suih
Gent Notwithstanding exceptions may be foHndand
merchant marine would probably furnish them greater
numbers than our own-yet am decidedly oil opinion
that, general rule, naval officer should enter the
service early age and passing through all the grades
learn the various and complex duties OF his profession by
personal experience, and especially thus learn to
mand those who may be placed under him. | do not
therefore deem It unWlse, that navy list contains
larger number of officers than may be required in time OF
peace for the active duties of their rank
| have no doubt that important improvements may be
male in naval establishment.
Duty at - often attended with responsibility, hard
ship, and exposure In the routine OF that duty, espe-
cialy time of peace must often become monotonous
and great degree to excite the zeal and enhu-
siasn necessary TO high distinction. 1t Is wise 10 bring
active operation those principles OF human conduct
difference in the performance OF the dull and dlsa
greeable duties OF the profession. The most potent
my Judgment, Is the principle of military rank involved
in promotion from the lower to the higher grades, by
which the rewards of military ambition secured to
those who perform the arduou5 and active duues OF their
professono those who. by their aad exposure,
and their ability for service, deserve them.
No doubt that promotions In the navy should
be made the principle OF merit service, and the capacity
for duty Yet the tendency OF such a system, without
promote partial dspensation OF Executive favor, and to
withhold from modest and unobtrusive merit the reward
Justly due TO it.
Under present system, promotions are generally
made by seniority date of commission and the
laws stand, am not prepared to say that, unavoa.
Bile for the interests of the public service this often
proves any other plan which the Executive adopt
would be free from great objections
The safest and best MOLE il appears to me, is to re-
qulre by law that officers rendered unit Tor duty, other
wise than by wounds received in battle, not qualified
for promotion to higher grades should be placed,
policy would require that great care should be taken
against the exercise Of such power caprlcousy, or
without due regard to the rights of all
he advantages OF such stem IN guarding ohcefS