Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-12-18
Secretary of the Navy's Report.

he report commences with a dstalisd
account Of the movements 0. the various
sqnadrons. Anxiety is felt touching the
fste If the missing sloop Albany but the
department still entertains the opinion that
she is safe. The steamer Princeton has
been sent IN search of her.
The practicability Of inter. oceanic com
munieation BY the construction Of shin
canal across the Isthmus Of Darien has been
fully tested by Lieut.. Strain and party who
are highly complimented for their aTduo
and dangerous services. According TO
Lieut.. SIS report, the work is totally i'm
practicable; and this The Secretary thinks
settles the question forever.
The bombardment of Greytown is treat.
ed at considerable length, and the conduct
Of Com. HoIlins fully justified.
Commodore Perry is spoken d in terms
OF warm commentator for his indomitable
perseverance and remarkable management
in the negotiations which resulted in a
commercial treaty with Empero. OF larat,
The Secretary again presses npon Con
gress as the urgent necessity Of sill fur.
ther increase Of the navy. Congress sh ould
not stop vith the ordering the construction
Of si7 new steam friss;es. Ne asks, tom
pare the size Of orr navy not merely with
that Of The mighty nations with whom we
claim equal rank, but with that of n.aier
nations whom we esteem to u. Far fal be.
hind US in lie race Of natiana! greatness. )"
zen with the addition Of ihe six new
LEAN ffigates ordered, our naval force will
not exceed fifty vessels in condition 70. ser.
vice. A deftneeless position invites az.
erosion and the history Of tue late. Mars
in Europe furnishes d complete demonstra-
tion that no system Of conflict, however
correct in principal oan pfotee. teutfsl
powers from injury. The only way 10 a.
void war is being always prepared and
willing to meet il !cr q just cause. Every
planter in every section of the country is
not more truly protected by the enclosure
around his farm than by orr woodea walls
which float around our coast.
The Secretary does not propose 10 en-
large materially the squadrons now in ac-
tive service, or to increase the number Of
Us:c-s. BE simply desires to increase the
material Of our navy. SO as 70 be prepared
for any emergency.
lie dwclls with peculiar stress npoa he
necessity Of Il fesorg tnization Of the navy
He again recommeds retired list on re-
duced pay for the faithful who have become
lnfIrH the discharge OF the NIB, rent who
have no Just elefm on the bounty of the
government. Promotion TO Be regulated
by capacity and merit, aud net by mere
seniority Of commission. Pay 10 some tx-
tent TO be ccHtrollei b. sea servire. lie
cannot be says appreciate The justice OF
policy OF promoting to higher grade an
officer who cannot perform its duties unless
in rare exceptional cases as complimentary
reward services rendered II Is neither
more nor less thai elevating the incompe.
tent, and tsien ordering the pnlloInnted
competent 10 do their wutk. zsg.I IN ==z==s#
The Discipline oi seaman IS next dis
cussed. The Secretary does nal desire The
restoration of llogg ng--ior tire experience
OF the navy jusiiies lis ahEogatien- he
believes tia, substitute is needed, accom-
panied with plsn os Fcwsfd as well as
punistment. lie recommends That the
commander oil any vessel be Authorized 10
order summary conl MARSHALL for il,r tiial
Of petty Offices and those belo" 'hem aud
''". 49, i."' Fo" =" f'asiish " N'sn1h-
orable discharges IN any port. or BY COR
fnement on reduced rations, and without
pay, with extra labor and denial OF shore
privileges.
The Secretary deem 1t indispensable" that
so~'e plan se adepfsa y Witch onr sea-
men shall become more distinctly aud per,
mahen'ly part OIL the navy attached to the
service, ana which can III part be accom-
plshed by granting conditional leave Of alb
seree at The cad Oh cruise and an in
creased par on resenlistneni. With the
view Of raj ing the Standard 81 character
among seamen, II IS the design oil the Seefe.
tary immediately 10 adopt liz a modified
form, the apprentice system, aud eneour-
age the enlistment OF American buys iron.
fourteen Until They are twenty one years
OF age
-. An ins' ease 81 nm 'he MARINE is strongly II,
. :. u. 'eeie's'y ~ Sa'isiea
M', ,' :; .o.'. 'e '"'iio.e'' anu cie=
,a'' :" ."a'A. " "u0P"ns so"e S9S-
.s.; u "fPoa".'.s o"Ne's % military eoa=
'"',o'' sua :. "'"i'.s
a., 80 :" -, a.po'' ~, - ae'o'ea 70