Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-05-20
BASIS OF
NATIONAL DEFENSES.
NO. 4.
Mn. EDITOR

satisfy are
They must be adequate 10 secure
the national existence under all reasona
bic and probable contingencies.
9 They ought to be suficient-noI 10
make injury impossible bu,--to render
il coessary for The aggressor TO run the
risk Of receiving greater injury. Let
us now and as subordinate conditions in
order,
3 OF the various ways in which the
first two conditions may be satisfied, that
one ought to be taken, which, all things
considered is least liable 10 abuse, 10
endangcr public Or, private morals or,
the constitution OF the State.
OF all systems which satisfy those
three conditions the least expensive
should be taken.
Let us from these draw Il few practi-
cal conclusions, applicable to the present
state of the world. From the means Of
attack each nation possesses, it is OBJ
vious that system oI national defense
ought TO provide,
!. Military forces for defense OIL land
and
2. Naval forces for the defense of in
tercsrs and OF property on the ocean, be-
yond the reach OF military protection.
These must be proporlioned TO the en-
tent and value of the Interests they are
10 defend to the means of attack that
can be brought against them, SO that an
enemy can never attack without risk of
receiving more danger than he will be
able 10 do.
Military and naval forces are COM
posed of men and consequently cXpcn-
sive, il is therefore matter OF economy
to make the smallest possible number of
men suffice Tor these great purposes OF
defense. A few rules to eilcc: this pur-
pose may be specified rs OF use for all
interested in the question before us.
The application of human energy 10
the development Of military and naval
roa cr requiring special experience and
training. Therefore,
|. Naval and military organizations
ed to give the Army and Navy the Ut
most efficiency to enable the smallest
number 10 afford the necessary defense.
Hence the wisdom policy and necessity
of regular armies navies, and schools Of
instruction in those sciences which are
brought to hear in military and naval
operations. The great economy Of
winch is known 10 all nations OF the pres
ent time.
2. The organization of these forces
| should be such as TO meet the demands
of state of peace in each nation, and at
the same time capable Of such rapid
increase that before an enemy could put
himself in warike attitude and apsail,
they would be prepared to meet and in
fict on him superior injury.
3. Distance and every natural obsta-
Gle which an enemy is obliged to spend
tin e and force to overcome, are means
of diminishing The force necessary for
defense, according TO our I'd condition
above stated.
L. Every artificial obstacle erected to
stop an encmy's progress, at cost less
than that OF the number Of men its force
is equal to, is an economy, TO say moth
ing more, OF the preservation OF valuable
| lives.
s. Since navy is buta properly
trained army ahoat, and since it costs
more to house men afloat than on land /,
il would he bad economy 10 use a naval
defense for those interests which can be
protected from land.
These are sone Of the general condi-
tions and economical rules which every
state must apply TO the organization o.
its system Of defense. The problem
with each is, 10 proportions army, navy,
means Of instruction, and notifications,
10 its position, the temptations which its
wealth, commerce territorial exposure,
form Of government, &c, &c, offer 9TH
er nations to attack it; that with the OBJ
stacles an enemy would have to encoun-
ter. its forces may be able to secure the
national independence and to punish the
aggressor with greater injury than he
can inilc'.
They will suffice for general inquiry
as to hat system OF national defense
best suits our peculiar wants and cond-
lion
We are commercial maritime and
manufacturing people. From wha, has
beet seen, so long as the laws Of human
nature do not change TO suit the whims
OF men we want.
|. An Army
9. a Navy
3. Schools Of instruction adequate TO
tie wants Of each OF these services.
4. The necessary arms, materials, and
organization for sudden increase o.
both these arms 10 such an extent ne
may suffice TO enable them to meet such
hostile forces as might on the breaking