The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-08-13

We have adysred frequently a sse ase condition OF
naval force, with the o. Aapssss69 upon the
public the necessity which ios taoss reforms and
improvements in that branch Of ts ssrgY u, which are
understood to be engaging The 4tenoa 81 sh~ sdefaga.
BILE head Of the Navy Department We would not be
understood being disposed 10 dispasxe gallant lii
lie navy--we much OF our high national reputs.
ton TO the brilliant exploits OF naval heroes TO justify
any friend OF his country in Withholding from gallant
their full share OF applause Our object is 10 enable
those who have already achieved much 10 achieve
still by such additions TO our present force, and by
such reforms and Improvements in the service will
make this arm of our defence eniiscy effective. We
boast of immense commerce justly proud Of
the energy and enterprise OF counrymen who
tending our commercial connexions with every part
OF the habi,abe globe feel the boundess interest
which we have stake the different oceans
no, close eyes the fact that government is
solving international questions which interest the CON-
merce as well as The political condition Of The world.
and it becomes no, 10 overlook the part which our
little navy is playing in unfolding and advancing ihese
vast interests We are impressed with the conviction
that naval force is not commensurate uith the i'm
portance OF the interests, both commercial and POLITICAL
which depend for their protection mainly upon this arm OF
our national strength That may contribute TO proper
appreciation OF the merits oil present naval force.
give the following extract from letter addressed 10 the
Journal OF Commerce by gentleman who shows him
self competent discuss the present condition Of
navy
THAT the navy is large enough for tho intry 10
apparent; hui il does not appear that the way 70
induce county acquire larger 10 abuse and
Willy present small force Whatever abuses exist,
whatever defects obvious 10 certain that all
these will become greater with force for both
very OF things, growing cut OF the
pcnied machinery OF maritime military establishment
s.That detects may not be rem. died. and abusss de-
soyed, Of course, do say. trust they
so oien they become palrsbe; Tut pressure IL
will be tended that any OF institutions. civil
| military municipal or national, are quite pefec ard
or pre- sent navy, any future will probably Be
found possess share oil imperiecudn, generally
speak lower in proportion to ITS own great
ness uIcness. only demsnd FOR The Amir
lean navy that i, be judged fairly. ask that Il 10 com
pared with the ofoher powcrs-with tho se who
maritime war; would be is sntagossrs--nay, ask that
the whole department be impaired (wh the co
rny) with any other of the gre Departments OF govcrn
ment, and fear result, diadvantagcou' to the navy
Moreover, as You have instituted sonewhn iavIdous
CON parison Mess Editors challenge issue upon thst
point al,o the navy is behind mercantile marine,
in any single respect before alluded the speed Of your
clippers, bu, there clippers aso in The navy. which.
before year 1885, had equal for speed the
and sailing ships for the navy have been built
since. Some Of those. even now would be . match for
is grea, dsid,atSr. inco npeen to ud ships
for speedl The clippers Of tho Union drauGht
! ed by naval constructor-tho Cam Co;k,' the Sea
Witch, the Sovereign OF the Sea- and some others
. Behind the merchant servcel Well. in what other
spcctl DO hear daily Of men olwar be ng dis
masird. taking fire. being stranded. foaGd,iDg
Of mu,ines occurring in every per, they visit, other
de bic things. which show often to ncompetency Of
| the officers having charge OF tho vcsseli Would yor,
Messs. iiors, with yonr evident phtiny Tor Tho
chan, claim Tor tina, service Get Of
officers The which forms the officers corps OF the
navy think not Add aow return TO the ships No
strict analogy can be made beweea n hghting ship and
mercia one any more than between q fort and
factory Menoi-war built with a rserence chiefly
their strength the ability - stand their balssry and
TO resist the hsmmerrg OF enemy tave bcior. ttated
that rcanue marns could ufnish vcssels pos.
sesspg these requirements; but viii sly that
navy the world has hips With these equ
high degree the American navy and vvntur, the
that al oth,r fht~s, t~s eqai frigas
would be certain OF victory against Eufopea, ship OF
her cIsss. account Of this At mechanical superiority
Nor Is i'a vain boast; for IL has been admitted,
Tally, Obvious fact by officers OF foreign navies
Thus much Of the sailing ships Of the navy. How
stands IL with the seamersl II would cot time
than have spare, and peihafs pace than you
would grant me, to go fully into this inquiry. Enough
guest Injustice has been done the navy-and often,
fear through the disrtcrs.tsd and honorable
/ motives. I.opy boiorcswe al n single steamer Of
commerce. the navy possessed two. which have never
been ercell.d fr all qualities Il steanenofwar The
pscts but the latter still exists. show what the navy
did in that way Is The ony ships built since
have been the Princeton, and the for gates
Gently rut in commission. OF the h's, she odsl
OF her elias, until she pu INTO the hands Of
TO SPOIL or The Others, they have ted admiraion
wherever they have been SEEM AMI hoss wncs have de-
ccs deficient only in the bad quality OF The work dos
Of the nsvyysrds But wth tho dssc OF th'ir
ses works, there IL OF them that may be
proudly compared with he mcn-ofwsr OF other
nations, with the oil But tisa d-
mitted that for fighting machine, Of expense
spared would be good economy ID though CHI cost
more at st would be the s5undcst Obey to 1rnsh oil
every bolt and rivet Of steamship, consuctpn or
OUTFIT By days labor navy-ynrds DIR sompeten,
builders and engineers. And again, assert with conf
dcncc. that there Of mercantlle
marine that would make at Whatever additional exiene
ID their sleraoon. olcrs bic -of-wav There 70
not Of all those fine psck. sssapers, thriving
carriers of goods and passengers tint Officer
would like in engase msnt TO uus his reputation %,
least choose the ship in which 20 aphoad the honor
OF his lag a naval Nor istiss d.spsrag- me OF
them. They nobo and vel cianistsd for the
work they Intended perform but, n, said sore,
they cannot be compa,ed by any suic aoss with shps
built v.iy different puposs Nor sho d large
paid thc,c sh the naval ,fiann be
charged pan OF what you call ,venes Of the
navy for neither pros eeti civ. IA psresive q
/ what value they to cur nava iorces"
4
| Gen. Joseph Lane.
As confidently reelected, this noble cd hero-sr
propriaely styled the Marion" OF The Msxican wal