Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-02-01

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would do more to elevate the character OF
our army and navy, than any other one
thing that can be devised. There would
then be soma inducement for worthy
young men TO engage in these pursuits
and our vessels would no longer be detain-
ed in port for months are receiving sailing
orders. because seamen could not be pro-
cured to man then.
Promotion by Merit.
Nothing in the report of the Secretary
of the Navy pleased US more than his re-
recommendation that merit among officers.
as we'll as seniority, should constitute
ground for promotion in that service
It should be also in the Army. We are.
however, in favor Of going much further
than the Secretary in this matter of pro-
motion by making it apply to PriVates as
we'll as to officers.
This is the only just criterion upon which
human success should depend. In all 9th
err fields of exertion in the United States
the lists for the greatest prize are opened
TO the freest competition. The highest CT
vii station is attainable by the humblest
IL
in our army and navy this eminentIy just
and republican law is utterly disregArded.
1t is scarcely more possible for private
soldier in the army, or a common sailori in
the navy to rise to the dignity of gene
raj in the one, or a captain in the other,
than it would be for him to succeed to the
throne of the Emperor of Russia.
They NAV have the talent Of Napoleon
| NT -, D1iIikorv or
Iters. but it would not be sufficient to raise
them from the ranks and place them IN
Dosition where their abilities could reflect
upon and be of service To the country
If privates there are, prlvates they must
remain--such is the memorable law OF the
| land. 1t is not within their own power to
change their condition by an eminentiy
meriGorous service-but they mustcontinue'
forever to fill low subordinate station
No inducements or stimulants are held out
before them to inspire deeds of noble dar-
ing and reward heroic exertion-the light
of hope does not shed its cheering rays
upon their rugged path. giving promise OF
bright and glorious future--out their
ardor is weighed down By the consciousness
that merit and ability will not give them
promotion or forward their worldly inter
eSts.
There is nothing to encourage them be-
yond cold performance of their duty
The consequence is, that it is difficult to
get men Of spirit and ambition to enter
either the army or navy, which offer so
poor field to adventurous enterprise, and
| in which there is not a particle of repub-
licanism. Nothing in our judgement,
would be SO productive Of good conduct.
and be so great an aid to proper discipline
in the army and navy as the knowledge
among the men who made up their rank
and the file that it was possible for them 10
attain the highest position in both. 1t
would, without any doubt greatly add to
their efficiency. The greatest military
genius the world ever saw, viz Napoleon,
made merit a ground of promotion in his
armies, and found the greatest advantages
were derived from it. When the soldiers
perceived that private in the ranks could
fight his way up from that position to be
General. a Marshal, or King, it inspi-
red the whole army with courage and re
solution. and they went into battle with
the greatest possible determination. Each
fought with Visions of stars and diadems
dazzling before him, and the thought lent
prodigious force to all his exertiOns. He
| felt that he could be the architect of his flu
ture fortunes, that he could create name
in the annals of military glory that would
be immortal.
Through the army was the road to dis
tinction, it was the stepping to the
| highest promotion within the gift of the
/ Emperor. All Of his great mashals who
had acquired fame only secondary to
his own, had commenced their career in
life as private soldiers. Murat, Ney, Soult,
Davoust. Lannes. Victor, Monitor. Berna-
dotte, and number of others in that daz-
zling military constellation were bright
and shining examples of what courage
and merit could accomplish. With such
prospects to stimulate them, it is no won
der that the best talent Of the country was
willing to enlist under Napoleon's stan.
dards. that ardent and enthusiastic young
men preferred to tread a path that led to
crowns and diadems and rushed into it by
thousands. In our judgement, no single
cause contributed more greatly to the won
derful success OF the French army during
their revolution. than their admirable sys-
TEN of promotion by merit.
! 1t is in the army and navy as in any
other pursuit or avocation in life the
hope of worldly advantage is great in.
centive to exertion. What would be
thought if our civic stations in the gift OF
the people were restricted to limited
class as in the military or naval service,
and that talent and merit were insufficient
in themselves to elevate one to the dis
tinction. The fact is our present system
Of promotions is utterly incongruous with
our republican institutions, and the only
wonder is that itwas not long since changed
by public opinion. 1t is gross libel up
! ON q country making nrnEessinns of dannn