The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-12-13
[coNcLuDED rRoM r1nsr pAorl

IS known to be wholly Inadequate to the
protection which should be afforded the
public mind of the country has been re-
Gently shocked by savage atrocities com
mitted on ~defenceless emi0rants and Dor.
der settlements, and hardly less by the
unnecessary destruction of valuable lives
where inadequate ~detachments of troops
have undertaken to furnish the needed
aid without increase of the military
force. These scenes will be repeated il
is to be feared on a larger scale, and with
more disasterous consequences. Con.
gress / am sure viii perceive that the
plainest duties ard responsibilities Of
good are involved in this question, and
I doubt not that prompt action may DC
confidently exticipated. When delay
must be attended by such fearful haz-
ards, the bill of the last session provl-
ding for an increase of pay of the rank
aud file of the army, has had beneficial
results not only IN facilitating enlist
ment but in obvious improvements in
the class of men who en;er the service.
I regret that corresponding considera-
fion was not bestowed on the officers,
who in view of their characters and ser
vices aud the expenses to which they
are necessarily subjected, receive at
present what is in my judgement made
quate compensation.
The valuable service constantly rem
dered by the army and its inestimabie
Importance as the nucleus around which
the volunteer forces of the nation can
promptly gather in the hour Of danger
sufficiently attest the wisdom of main
tanning a military peace establishment,
hut the theory of eur system and the
wise practice under it requires that any
proposed augmentation in time of peace
be only commensurate with our exten-
sded limits of frontier relations. While
sscrupulously adhering to this principle
I find in existing, circumstances q ne
cessity for increase of our military force
and it is believed that four new regi-
ments of infantry and two of mounted
men will be sufficient to meet the pres
emit ~exigency if it were necessary, care
fully to weigh the costs in a case of
such urgency it would be shown that
tho additional expense would be eampar-
lively light. With the increase of the
numerical force of the army, should 1
think, be combined, certain measures of
reform in its organic arrangements aud
administration. The present ~organiza-
ton is The result of partial legislation
directed to special objects and interests
and the laws regulating ra-k and COM
mand, having been adopted many years
ago from the British code are not al
ways applicable to our service. It is
not surprising therefore that the system
should be deficient in the symmetry and
simplicity essential to the harmonious
working of its several parts and require
a careful r~evisor. The present organi-
cation by maintaining large staff corps
or departments separates many officers
from that close connection with troops
and those active in duty in the field
which are deemed requisite to gaalify
lem for the varied responsibilities of
nigh command. We're the duties of the
army staff mainly desparaged the officers
4atached from their regiments, it is be-
lieyed that the special service would be
equllay we'll performed and the discip-
line and instruction of the army improv-
ed.
While due regard to the .secnritE of
8 rights OF officers and to the nice
sense of honor which should be c%ultiYa-
ted among them, would seem to exact
compliance with the established rule of
promotion in ordinary cases, still It can
hardly be doubted that the rage of pro-
motion by selection, which is now prac-
tically confined to the grade of general
officers, to be somewhat extended with
beft theserYice. Observance Of the
rule of seniority leads especially in time
of peace to promotion of officers who are
meritory and ever distinguished ser
vices may have been rendered by age or
inirnnity incabable of active duty, and
advancement, therefore, would
tend Il 'impair the efielency-ofth the arm
Suitable provisions for this class of of
fcer1 he-cfeatl6n of a retired list
remedy the evil without wound-
ing the Just pride of men who, by past
have established a claim to
constipation. In again commend
ng%Ae4sure to the favorable con-
of Congress, l would suggest
that the power Of placing officers on the
retired list be limited to one year. The
practical operation of the measure would
thus be tested, and, if after the lapse of
years there should be occasion to re-
verse the provision it can be produced
With any improvements which experience
may indicate.
The present organization of the artil-
cry into regiments is liable to obiec-
The service of artillery is that
IF batteries and an organization of bat
cries N a corpse of artillery would be
more consistent with the nature of their
a large part of the troops now
:aHed artillery are and have been on
luty as infantry. The distinction be-
ween the two arms being merely nomi-
lal. This nominal artillery in our service
5 entirely disproportionate to the whole
oree end greater than the wants of the
ountry demand. 1 therefore commend
be discontinuance of a distinction which
no foundation in either the arms used
r the the character of the service expec-
ed to be performed. Connected with
ne proposition for the increase of the
l have presented these suggestions !
nth regard to certain measures Of re-
orm as the complement of a system !
,hieh would produce the happiest re-
ults from a given expenditure-and
Thich / hope may ~retract the e4 at t
ention and be deemed worthy of the APP l
roval of Congress. t
The recom2sedation of the Secretary t
f the My, having reference to more '
mple provisions for the discipline and {
eneral improvement in the character of G
samen, and for the reorganization and l
increase of the navy, l deem v
minently worthy your favorable conai- Q
GRAFTON. The principles which have G
ontroled our policy in relation to the $