The daily union., 1854-07-27

/
he has not learned that the humblest operator has within
him the elements OF skill and invention either of construc-
ton the of tools which with the proper encourage
ment to development may lead to the accomplishment OF
useful results Military rule holds the humble workman
( TO be subordinate is to be humbe) at "arms length,
and closes the lips of counsel 1t must affect to knowwhat
il knows not lest intercourse might beget familiarity and
in the end, engender nsubordinaon Who viii rise in
his place and proclaim that there not to be found in
this country in the long list of civilians men competent
and willing TO superintend national works Such deca-
ration would libel the science genius, SKILL industry and
intellectually evidenced all this land and displayed
the broad bosom of every Literature has not ad-
yanced beyond thato the ances either in power or beauty
OF expression but the great arts aided by their collateral
sciences have essened the tolls of the agrcuuris have
produced useful Inventions constructed beautiful fabrics
and opened the great highways Of ciyaton and cannot
Their aaasters furnish forth" enough of intellect, and
genius, and skin for government workshop?
am not Mr. Chairman, an opponent OF the army nor OF
It's departments proper ann its friend as action as
member of the Committee Military Afairs will attest
| and my votes in this house will corroborate would
not if could wrest from the brows of its gallant officers
fragment OF the aures through blood and toll and
which they deservedy merited and for the chiyarc
soldier and distinguished statesman and gentleman at the
head Of the War Department feel than respect and
admiration but do not desire that military command
should invade the sanctuary of the civil workshop Its
sphere is not there.
the Hon. Andrew Stevenson, Of Virginia Chancellor
Waworth, of New York Governor Steele, of New Hamp
shire and Henry ID. Smith, of Connecticut civilians and
Col T. p Andrews and Col f. j. Sepoe, OF the army
appointed by the President of the United States to institute
inquiry the efficiency economy and safety of man
aging the armores under the civil and under the military
supernendency respectively and to report to him tho
suit of their Investigations This commission repaired to
the Springfield arory where it four months engaged
in the work Of Investigation The civilians made reports
respectively in favor of the civil and the two military
made reports recommending the continuance of the mill
tary superinendency. The Hon. Andrew Stevenson, a
gentleman eminenty distinguished in this country in his
| report to the President, says:
apart from the subject management or the results
of the two systems, which there be diversity of
opinion the great and primary objection 70 the present sy
ought to influence the final decision of the question by the
President arises from the fact that parakes too much Of
character and genius of institutions, and the wishes and
al moS asdne s e a
peace Military commanders must often act upon delicate
suspconsupon the evidence OF their own eyes Their com
issued at the mouth of the trumpet and therefore
despotc They act upon the moment and require instanta
obedience These things which all military trbu
mails acknowledge and all military feel and understand
But these not suited to the purposes of civil pursuits and
and repugnant to the feelings of proud
and fearless eemen The spirit that characterizes our coun
and people opposed to the employment of military
in the ordinary pursuits of civil life The great body Of
people jealous of military and discipline except in
the discharge of duties of military characters and much
the military character of country is respected it must be
made to yield to duties of civil and peaceful nature And
it not natural that mechanics and workmcn should
share in this strong and powerful feeling {strong because
zensG The moreover are necessarily removed from
the people, and not at all identified with them in inter-
est feeling. And il becomes moreover, important.
in establishments like those of national armores,
that st pride Of character personal and professional
OF honest and enersng men, whose usefulness and respect
ability depend the cultivation of mutual feelings Of
spec and confidence between themselves and those
mand tbem rather than from fear and suspicion and
this can never be the case with any military superintendent
like Besides another strong consideration in favor of
civil @ M nn IN Ss 5 Sc OF s n s
suitable characters qualified in every respect for the Office
than he could do when limited to small number Of officers Of
the army The selected for such appointments should
in the first place not only be thorough and kltn mechanics,
but well qualified for governing and managing large bodies
not only decision and force OF character but tepers
and dispositions calculated to win the respect and confidence
of those under them and such much likely to
be found in the walks of private life than among the officers
of the whole army, much less in any department of it,
A conclusion, the undersigned will only that, after
the MOST patient and aborous investigation he feels entirely
satisfied that placing at the head of the national armores
military has nothing to recommend it on the score OF
economy efficiency saey but, on the contrary that the
OF the present military system will not only prove
injurious to the interests of these establishments but will be
the keeping alive and fostering instead of alayng
that excitement which unhappy has existed long in
parts of the Union and upon which the public mind is
deeply to be feared will continue to be agitaed until the
| question is finally settled"
This Mr. Chairman, is the opinion, based upon
and impartial investigation of the subject of charac
terzed for his wisdom, sagacity and patriotism The Hon
Chancellor Walwortb not less distinguished says in his
! report, that
The question as to the proprey and expedency of put
ting large numbers Of intelligent and respectable artisans
under the direction and control Of military officer, while
they are engaged in the of ordinary abors
with which much better acquainted than he posi-
bly, be- will be fully considered in the reports of
of the other members Of the commission But the
dersgned will make or two suggestions this subject
| which present themselves to his mind.
The citizens of vernment like naturally and
properly jealous of military And yet of the
highest the interest and the safety of
try that the confidence of all classes of citizens in the
educated and intelligent band of officers which West Point
has given command small but
establishment should remain wholly unmpared 1t is there
fore inexpeden to continue system which, from its first adop
n has been subject of contest between large numbers of
citizens and few of these officers of army Men
constituted that the thing be done by a
civilian placed in authority them without exciting
dissatisfaction which, done by officer of the army under
similar circumstances the persons would become dssat
isiied WITH and complain of military tyranny and
preston 1t is less difficult therefore, for civil supern-
tenden to maintain degree OF authority the
workmen mt the nrmoy without creating excitement and
Governor Steele gentleman OF intelligence at one time
governor Of New Hampshire and practical mnchnist
who having for years familiar intercourse with those OF
his profession understood and appreciated their feel
ing thus teses 10 the President Of the United States
Ny this opinion founded, rst the be-
lief that there but little any. connected with military
education which fits its recipient for the direction OF
mechanical establishment but much which, however well
may fit the command Of army of enlisted sol
ders is of place when applied to body OF intelligent
mechanics. Ii is doubtless that there military men
who when placed body OF intelligent mechanics would
drop their harsh and ieng style of giving orders and
member only much of their military education as would
lead them treat those under their direction as men, and
not machines and there without doubt men
those who have been brought at the workbenc-
who would so far forget what is due from to to
those placed under their direction These are
! in the main, exceptions and not the rule 49,
THAT there is general feeling adverse to military con
troll OF purely civil institutions too obvious to be doubted
and l. in with Americans feel dread, unde
fined be- OF tyranny oppression, and believe 1T to
be duty to resist every attempt to degrade any class OF