The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-08-23
From tbs Charleston News.
United states Navy.

The condition OF our navy causes anxiety 10 all who
wish The country TO preserve its relative position TO the
other maritime powers OF the world That this is not
and has not been the for several years past moi
denied While Congress is engaged, session after
SION, In party disputes. the improvements suggested.
necessary to this OF public defence constantly
postponed In vain that presidential messages and re-
ports IRON the Navy Department bring The subject
nually To the view OF the national legislature. That
which should engage immediate and earnest deberaton
overdden by some subject OF popular interest party
scramble Some one unucky day will find MS 10 the midst
OF war without that extent OF preparation dae to
immense commercial Interests and our position as mari
lime power
We have been led into this train of reflection after The
pefusa OF an able article in the July Der OF the Edn
burgh Review That article takes comprehensive view OF
The naval resources OF France and Eng and although
the comparison is limited 10 the nayes OF those two pow.
ers the contrast rs forced the reader OF the lageness
OF their preparation and the nadequacy of our own In
all that regards the matevie well as the personnel Of
this branch OF public service in France, no improve
men which the skill or talent OF naval comman ders
or the sound philosophy OF theorists suggest neg
lecied The French government has lately published the
results OF commission Of inquiry, Instituted by the late
National Assembly OF France, at which the eminent
captains in the French navy and of her most dis
tnguished statesmen assisted. They have brought to-
ge,her body OF valuable information on all points en-
bracng the efficiency of the service.
The sailing fee afioat and building, consists of 277
vessels OF every class their fleet to 1872 vessels or
the former there So rgates and 40 ships of the line
The committee recommended the building OF twenty ad.
donal steam frgales of the first class The reviewer
endeavors 10 show that the real efficiency of the French
navy falls short of what this exhibit would present. but
demonstrates the perfection attained by the French in
their OF recruiting their navy, which is le4 by
species OF maritime conscriplion the whole maritime
population OF the empire being under It's control The
entire body OF French are registered, who
alone have the right 10 navigate and fish in the seas and
waters of France They entitled to pensions after
twenty-five years service and pensions for wounds
and infmities. They relieved of all other military
service The real number OF able bodied seanen in the
French service, and officers, is 5i,5O0
In the British navy there about so. 900 available
for the naval service. This is relatively smaller pro-
portion than be commanded for immediate service by
the French, from the greater diffusion Of British seamen
Now, not only far behind the two maritime
powers with which may hereafter come into collision
regards the personnel OF navy, ready COM
mand of maritime force, but in the formation of steam
fleet readily available for immediate service The ar
angemens which made in Europe to place the ma
Terrell of lis steam navy efficient and ormida-
BILE footing appear to be unworthy of the notice of Con-
gress. While millions expended in schemes which
can be effected by private enterprise, that which be
accomplished only by government action is left in abey
ance 10 be done when the exigencies of the public
vice dictate It's necessity, and show the impossibty Of
it's further pos ponement