Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-03
THE EFFECTS OF THE ARMY And
NAVY REFOHlIS.

crease Of the army. From many authentic
sources we learn that the applicants for enlist
ment are SO numerous that they are not only
sufficient in numbers, but afford the opportu-
nifty of selecting the best material for recruits
And such we predicted would he the result
Heretofore the high prices of labor everywhere
excluded, from badly paid army, all but these
who were too lazy and worthless 10 obtain en-
ployment elsewhere; the consequence was that
the army was composed, to great extent, OF
vagabonds and idlers, unworthy the confidence
of the government, and unfit for the high duties
which they were called on to discharge. Now.
however, by an increase of the wages of recruits
government has wisely established competi'
ton with other branches Of labor which has
already led to the most beneficial results. Such
principle is founded in true wisdom. Gov
crnment cannot expect to demand and receive
the services of men who can in other avoca-
tons receive reward more commensurate.
Not the least beneficial feature in this reior
nation is the promotion of a mertorious soldier
from the ranks to the brevet office of second
lieutenant. This in itself is of Importance in
inducing enlistment by offering some more at
tractive reward for services than is to be found
in dollars and cents. The soldier thus becomes
interested in the army, identified with its sue
cess, and imbued with higher and purer
aspiration than the mere desire for pecuniary
remuneration.
Such policy was eminently necessary in
our government at the present time. 1t is a
wellknown fact that the army had decreased
thirty-three per cent. since the close Of the
Mexican war, and was still daily diminishing
by deserton, or Ivy the expiration Of the term
of enlistment. And yet, while this was the
case, there has never been a time, except dur
ing the existence of actual war, when it was
more necessary that the army should be
strengthened. We scarcely open q paper from
our frontier which does not record some new
disturbance with the horde of Indian tribes,
whose inroads upon the frontier inhabitants
the power of our army has been inadequate to
check. Now, however, we have every reason
to believe that the army viii not only be in
creased in numbers, but much improved in
the character Of its recruits.
Nor have the beneficial results Of reform
been alone felt in this branch of our service.
TIE navy, which is every day becoming of
greater interest to government from the in
creased Importance Of our commercial rela-
tons, is also the recipient Of the benefits Of the
same wise system of policy. However, in
greater degree than in the army the necessity
for competition existed. The commercial ma
rine service offered greater inducements to en-
listment than the regular navy, and thus de-
prived this branch of the service of recruits.
Such system was sapping our navy of its
strength, and would gradually have weak
ened it to such an extent that it would have
been difficult to man our vessels in time Of war
Even in time Of peace our ships have been
forced, when ready for sea, to remain idle IN
port, because crews could not be obtained for
them and the government has been forced TO
rely chiefly on our smaller vessels 10 protect
our commerce, because of the imposs;bili.y of
obtaining full compliments Of men for the
larger vessels.
The number Of vessels is now increased,
and the necessity for the increased pay of men
is thus made more manifest and important JfI
any disturbance should take placein our foreign
relations with any of the European powers, for
which it is true wisdom always to prepare, the
navy would be the force TO which we must
chiefly look for protection. There can scarcely
be any land engagement between this country
aad any foreign power. From the very nature
Of things England alone Of the European
powers would be able to mako an attack by
land--as her possessions in Canada are the
foothold which can be obtained against us
Of the gravest importance. The recent treaty
with japan, the probable facilities of CONNER
cial intercourse with China, our valuable ports
in California, all tend to open the Pacific as
great highway Of our future commerce. The
day may yet come, when we will not only be-
come the Immediate recipients of the important
Asiaiic trade, but the carriers Of that trade for
the rest of the world. For these reasons, We
look upon the increase and maintenance Of the
navy as a question OF the most vital import
ance.
We hail these two reforms in the army and
the navy as harbingers of better days to the
Republics So fully were we impressed with
their importance that early in the history Of
our paper, we advocated the improvements
which already, thanks TO the enlightened
policy Of The present Congress, are vind-
eating their importance By the benefits which
they are even now comforting on our country.
But the work is not yet finished. The army
ought to be increased by adding new regi.
ments and the naval service needs q radical
reformation TO make il effective and bring itup
20 the spirit Of the age. There must be sound
naval system to make men and ships useful in
peace and formidable in war. ,a
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