The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-26
Reorganization or tho Navy.

Reorganization or tho Navy.
Mr. EDITOR: Your paper of the sth instant contains
the first OF a oposed series OF communications from
some writer on our naval service in opposition to the
plan for reorganizat of the United States navy
which humby sumbtted 10 the consideration OF your
readers the 9th inst and as WISH if possible, TO fore
stall any discussion this subject in The public prints
only from motives of sincere interest in the welfare OF
the service must ask the favor OF small space in your
columns TO give explanation OF the causes which led
to the publication of the scheme alluded TO, and to sate
as briefly may be, the arguments that may reasonably
and justly be advanced In its support.
Your correspondent assets that the introduction OF the
rank Of admiral into the navy would produce good
results and INDUCES in sundry similarly causilc anmad
versions upon the general condition OF the service al this
time, suggesting, remedy for the evils he describes in
such affecting terms, those who regard economy as the
only true principle OF government the stoppage OF all
promotion in the navy until the numbers in the higher
grades are reduced within certain limits, conceived
yet only in his own Imagination. The inference, how
ia that the only proper organization OF the navy IN
his estimation is its restoration to the condition in which
"won for itself the aures upon which 1t has rested
ever since" Because there existed no such high.
sounding tle that of admiral in the days Of Decatur,
Perry Marlborough, and others of glorious renown.
conceived to be sufficient too, Tor excluding II
with sort OF holy horror from the American navy for
ever. Why, the title OF admiral is not patent OF no
bty-it is purely naval designation, used, TO be sure
by monarchcal governments in the same way, and Tor
similar reasons that the title Of major general is used, 10
convey the idea OF officer commanding an army, or
division OF an army. The objections which have long
been said TO exist in The minds of the American people to
allowing the rank OF admiral in the navy are in my
humble opinion almost entirely disspaed before the
rising sun of enlig henment which daily shedding its
piercing beams upon more and distant portions OF
wide spreading territory. This is mere prejudice;
there nothing taDgbly obnoxious to truly republican
=. hall, "a H. fhunp SufaG
and our people are so doubtful OF the stability and purity
OF their institutions OF government, that they are con-
tending against the mere name OF admiral, while
they know that il carries with II no importance
except amongst those who aspiring TO the re-
sponsibilities and the honors II confers, not as
matter OF iavorlsm and influence, but simply as a
lust reward for services rendered to the country in
professional capacy' In every profession on shore in
every trade in all vocations, there may be found men
who in our land OF freedom and intelligence, are looking
forward the high places in the gift OF the people In
the army continual rewards held out TO officers who
may distinguish themselves any branch OF the service
while in the navy the highest position 10 be attained by
any possible display OF ability, courage, or fidelity is
fixed at that OF capiain-a title freely bestowed through
out the land upon the commander of every coaster canal
boat coal.barge within waters. Let me ask why
those of the people who in early youth may select The
perilous and irksome life OF naval officer for the
else OF their energies and capacities should be made an
exception the general rule and the general principle
by which the whole nation are governed Does not a
naval officer from the very nature OF his duties have
sacrifices enough 10 make the altar oil his ambition
and his coun,rys glory. without also requiring him
resign all hope Of reaching any higher professional
rank than that Of captain
But there some remarks upon this subject in the
introduction to Coopers Naval History which will, per-
hsps, have greater weight than anything presume
TO urge in favor higher rank in the navy-pary from
- A.
because they emanae from who possessed greater
practical and theoretical knowledge OF the matter than
uny one who has ever given IT bis attention IN this
country. ! cannot faiter myself that any suspicion OF
selfshness attaches 10 my motive in making the sugges
ton at this time, have long since passed that period
OF life when would have been possible, had the grade
been created some years ago. for reach during the
three score and ten years OF human life Mr. Cooper
says:
"The necessity for creating higher rank in the navy,
of it's influence other servccs-more espe-
ciay when acting in concert with other feetsbas often
been pointed out. The answer to this practical argu-
ment has usually been high preension III behalf OF the
republic agreeably TO its policy, and right TO
nss, that any notion Of superiority that may choose to
attach 10 the station OF captain N its own navy shall be
recognised by the agents OF other governments This
exravagant idea be supported by neither usage
son. nor sense. In the first place. all nterna
OF States and not by the peculiar policy Of any particular
community As well might America pretend TO say that
its charges dafaires shall have the rank of ambassa
doris at foreign courts as 10 say that its captains I'M
der any circumstances. shall have the rank of admi
rails on foreign stations. Ii is true, nation has a
right to say that rank equivalent to that of an adj
mal shall exist in it's marine under another appea.
ton but II has no right to say tina; rank recognised
by itself as merely that OF captain shall be entitled to
receive the honor and to claim the authority of an admiral
among other people The usages OF nations must con-
troll This interest well all others that equally affect
different States and there is nothing new or peculiar
y Captains occasionally commanding squadrons. unds!
Inc temporary title Of commodores, among all the naval