The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-12-23
Report of the Secretary of the Navy

The annual report of the Hon. James c.
Dobbin, Secretary Of the Navy, will he read
with interest by the friends of our navy. 1t
abounds with interesting facts and important
Suggestions, and displays commendable zeal
and energy on the part of its author. We
have room only for the following abstract:
The report recommends an additional but
gradual increase of the navy; its reorganization
and the enactment of new regulations for the
discipline and improvement Of seamen.
The movements of the various squadrons are
reported in detail. The sloop of war Albany,
last heard from at Aspnwal on 2sth Sept,
when she left for New York. Painful anxiety
is felt touching her fate. The steamer Prince
ton was sent in search Of her several days since.
Lieut. Strain and party are complimented
for enterprise and exhibition of powers of en-
durance and generous devotion to duty in the
exploration of the Darien ship caral route.
The result Of the expedition is. according to
Lieut.. Srains report, that the proposed canal
is totally impraclicable, and this the Secretary
appreheids settles the question forever.
The bombardment of Greytown by the sloop
of war Cyane is narrated, and the Secretary
remarks that she could not reprove Command
er Ho!luls for his conduct. Humanity often
lends her sympathy to the sufferer, however
just the punishment; but patriotism rarely con.
dcmns the brave officer who administers that
punishment, from sense of justice to his coun.
trymenI whose property has been destroyed,
and wlpse national flag has been insuIted."
Commodore Perry is highly complimented
for his success in Japan.
On the increase Of the Navy the Secretary
says lid is far from the opinion that the ell.
Iargem' int Of our Navy should stop with the &C.
tion oflast Congress. The protection of our
commqcc; the guarding our extended coast;
the preservation of our rank as nation, de-
mand t.at we should not be entirel Y stationary,
and with inactive Indifference behold the pro-
gress o other powers in naval strength. Even
with tie additional unfinished steam frgatcs
our naval furcc will not exceed fifty vessels III
condition for service. Weakness invites az.
grcssin. and never inspires respect while &C.
know.dged strength and visible preparations
commind consideration and are the true safe.
guards of peace" The necessity and proprcty
Of an augmented Navy is eloquently argued at
considerable length, and the objections thereto
| answered.
Tie Secretary does not propose to increase
the nlmber of officers nor materially enlarge
the s,uadrons, and thereby largely increase the
current expenses, nor to have navy of the i'm.
mense size and extent of some of the navies of
European powers, but to increase the material
of our navy so as at least to approximate to a
state of readiness for emergencies, which wise
statesmen strive to avoid, but wiser statesmen
prcpsro~4o-rr,,-ot- L. uill ha iha Secreiary,s
pleasure to cooperate with the legislative de-
partmeut of the government in practically car
ryng out these views.
The Secretary renews his recommendations
Of last year for the reorganization of the Navy;
the creation of retired list for infrm officers;
the discharge of the inefficient, and to have pro.
motions regulated by capacity and merit in
some degree, instead of by seniority of COM
mission and pay, 70 some extent controlled by
sea service.
SO far as be has authority, these views will
guide his action even without legislation. He
says: "I cannot recommend for promotion to
higher rank aud pay officers who do not merit
it, from incaFaeity, either moral or physical. |
do not appreciate the justice or policy of pro-
noting to higher grade an officer who cannot
perform its duties, unless in rare exceptional
cases, as complimentary reward for services
rendered. 1t is ,ether more nor less than el
cvating the ncom mpetent and then ordering the
unpromoted competent to do their work"
The objections against the proposed reform
are ably considered. He says much is still to
he done to give proper shape, origin, vIgor,
character and success to o system of discipline
in naval service. He is far from recommend
ing the restoration offogging. The experience
of the navy justifies its abrogation. There is,
however, urgent necessity for some substitute,
accompanied with a plan of reward as we'll as
punishment-a substitute which would be
prompt and sure-n order to restrain the OF
fender and deter the inconsderate; to reward
equally sure, the generous to encourage fidel-
ity and promote responsibility. 1t is not the
severity, but the certainty and promptness of
punishment which promote discipline. lie re-
commends that the commander Of any vessel
he authorized by law to order summary court
martial for the trial of petty officers and those
below them; that they have power to punish
by dishonorable discharge in any port, or by
confinement on reduced rations, and without
pay, with extra labor and denial of shore
privileges.
He renews his recommendations of last year
of the plan to induce seanen to become per-
manently attached to the Navy, by granting
conditional leave of absence at the end of a
cruise and increased pay On rc-enlstment. 1t
is the Secretary's purpose to immediatel y adopt
in modified form the apprentice system, and
encourage the enlistment Of American boys
from fourteen until twentyone gears of age;
to train them first on receiving ship, then on
cruisers, in practical scamanship. lie is clearly