Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-12-08

He'uesNei t~'tts ohoutuf mink, be
combined certain measures Of reform
in It's organic arrangement and ad
midistration. The present Organize
ton is the result Of partial Legislation
often directed to special objects and
interests; and the laws regulating
rank and command. having been
adopted many years ago from the
British code. are not always applicable
10 our service. IL is not surprising.
therefore, that the system should be
deficient in the symmetry and sim
plicity essential 10 the harmonious
working Of its several parts. and
require careful revision.
The present organization, by main
tanning large staff corps or depart
ments. separates many officers from
TINT close connection with troops, and
those active duties in the field, which
are deemed requisit 10 qualify them ior
the varied responsibilities Of high
command. Were the duties Of the
army staff mainly discharged by ciii-
GERS detached from their regiments, ~
is believed that the special service
would be equally well performed, and
the discipline and instruction Of the
arm be improved. While due regard
10 the security of the rights Of OFF,
GERS, and 10 the nice sense Of honor
which should be cultivated among
them, would seem to exact compliance
with the established rule Of promotion
in ordinary cases. still IL can hardly be
doubted that the range OF promotion
by selection, which is now practically
confined TO the grade OF general off,
GERS, might be somewhat extended
with benefit 10 the public service
Observance Of the rule Of seniority
sometimes leads, especially in time of
peace, TO the promotion Of Ulcers who.
after meritorious andeven Distinguish
ed serviye, may have been rendered
by age Of in6rmity incapable Of per-
forming active duty, and whose adj
vancement. therefore. would tend 10
impair the efficiency Of the aImy.--
Suitable provision for this class Of Off
GERS, by the creation of a retired list,
would remedy the evil, without wound
ing the just pride Of men. who by
: past services have established claim
to high consideration. In again COM
+ msncing this measure to the favorable
consideration OF Congress. would
suggest that the power Of placing off,
GERS on the retired listb be limited to one
year.
The practical operation of the meas
, ure wonld thus be tested, and if, after
the lapse Of years, there should be oc
: casion to renew the provision, il can
, be reproduced with any improvements
e which experience may indicate. The
present organization Of the artillery
I into regiments is liable 10 obvious OBJ
! iections. Tho service of artillery Is
that Of batteries, and an organization
' of batteries into a corps OF artillery
1 would be more consistent with the
!. nature Of their duties. A large part
os the troops now called artillery are,
Q and have been, on duty as infantry;
q the distinction between the two arms
!, being merely nominal. This nominal
/ artillery in our service is entirely dis
e proportionate 10 the whole force and
n greater than the country Demand
| therefore commend the discontinu
f ance of distinction, which has no
r foundation in either the arms used or
r the character Of the service expected
e to be performed.
4 In connection with the proposition
$ for the increase Of the army, have
!. presented these suggestions with re-
q gard TO certain measures Of reform, as
!. the complement of system, which
e would, produce the happiest results
i from given expenditure, and which
v | hope may attract the early attention,
d and be deemed worthy OF the apprO,
Y val. Of Congress.
Y The recommendation OF the Secre.
y tary of the Navy, having reference 70
! more ample provisions for the disci.
pine and general Improvement in the
character Of seamen, and for the re
: organization and gradual increase oil
: the navy, | deem emincnily worthy OF
= your favorable consideration. Tho
= principles, which have controlled our
policy in relation TO the permsnenl
: military force, by sea and land, are
!, sound, consistent with the theory OF
= our system. and should by no means
be disregarded. But, limiting the
4 force to the objects particularly SET
e forth in the proceeding part Of this
: message, we should not overlook the
J, present magnitude and prospective ex.
: tension Of our commercial marine,
= nor fall to give due weight to the fact
= that. besides the two thousand miles OF
!, Atlantic sea-board, we have now {.
: Pacific coast, stretching from Mexico
/" TO the British possessions in the north.
. teeming with wealth and enterprise,
and demanding the constant presence
! of ships-ofwar. The augmentation
= Of the navy has not kept pace with
the duties properly and probably as.
signed to 1t in time Of peace. and it is
inadequate for the large field of its OPP
erations, not merely in the present but
still more in the progressively increas-
ing exigencies of the wealth and COM
: merce Of the United States. | cordi-
J ally approve Of the proposed appren-
tice system for our national vessels,
recommended by the Secretary of tho
. Navy.
: The occurrence. during the last few
months, Of marine disasters of the
y most tragic nature, involving great
!, loss of human life, has produced in
! tense emotions Of sympathy and sor
u row throughout the country. Ii may