The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-10-26
From the Detroit Free Press, Oct.
Naval Reform.

IT'S very strange tning IN our VieW tna ABOUT every
steam naval vessel thus far constructed by the govern
ment has turned on, failure. We account for it,
The principles of naval architecture, and OF The requisite
force and power OF steam engines, are so well under
stood that it does not possible that vessel after
sci shall be built, and built condemned. We
mentioned the other day the las, case OF faurethat
OF the Alleghany-and we now see il stated that her
gines sufficient to prevent her from drifting
ashore in Elizabeth river and that her sails had to be
used TO avoid such catastrophe.
The whole system OF naval construction must be rotten.
An instance scarcely be pointed out where an Amer
lean fchant steamship has disappointed the expeca-
lions of her builders Indeed, incomparaby the
best merchant steam marine OF any nation on earth.
Eng land the long. sell boasng, mistress OF the
has time and again. been obliged to acknowledge herself
beaten by America. Her greatest steamship company
with all the power OF the British government 10 back IT,
has no, been able TO produce four such vessels the
Collins line.
But while we have such us, cause OF pride and exul-
ta,on over the victories of steam merchant vessels
we are Inundated a nation in the eyes OF The world
disgraced, in truth. the shortcomings of steam
navy. VIVA, statement TO be put aoat and sent to the
nations Of Europe. tina, the government of the United
States have built and sent 10 steamship whose
sinss could not her from drifting ashore
We trus, the present administration, and the Secretary
OF the Navy especially, has adequate conception OF
the wants OF the government; aud we hope Congress
will not be slow 10 adopt some sysiem which shall place
the navy upon such grounds will make il more
the pride and glory Of the country.
The Washington Sentinel has some sensible sugxes.
tons the necessity OF naval reform We suboin two
or three paragraphs:
"The genius and talent which private enterprise
calls into service with such wonderful results ready
to the government and stand prepared TO its
summons. The government has ample means and abun-
dant resources, yet cannot utter that summons This
seems strange, yet Ia true, ne vertheess and sugg ess
the inquiry Why - il that the government cannot avail
itself Of The genus and talent Of the county and keep
with the improvements OF the well
individuals and associations
1.-The answer TO this question, when fully made. will
forth the many evils OF that system which is
fast discredng the navy in public estimation and which,
VI not speedily Enthusiastically and thoroughly re-
formed-~'ll inevitably ALLEVIATE many OF its
and trues friends. The limits OF single article do
permit the examination OF detail but we shall constant
ly this subject and every effort in our limited
power 10 sustain and uphold the navy by aiding point
ing those evils under which abors, and by sustain
ing all who desire to make IT worthy of The nation. We
know that the task OF a relofmeT difficult one, and
calls down the denuncialons OF those who are honest
slaves Of anc,eat preud,ces we'll OF the meceoay
that always cluster around and fai,en abuses
1.-The FIRST great step TO- and must be, TO reform the
personnel OF the navy, and provide definite and distinct
rules Tor its government When that l. done. and not
until that 10 done, we may reasonably expect progress
and Improvement in our naval architecture. Experience
gained youth and vigorous manhood Age clings TO
its preudces and binds itself to the dead corpse OF the
pastd,struslicg everything impractcabe, rash,
and reckless. The men who fill the high places in our
present Daval System were ornaments 10 The service IN
their aiion but their generation has paaeed away
and many OF them do not understand and appreciate and
cannot apply, the improvements and discoveries OF
younger race who have the benefit OF all their knowl
edge But yet they should not he without honor for their
past services to the republic nor left in their old age
without due provision BY the government