Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-13

j
and with more disastrous consequences. Con-
gress, am sure. will perceive that the plaineSt
duties aud responsibilities of government
are involved in this question. and / doabt not
that prompt action may he confidently anticI-
pated when delay must be attended by such
fearful hazards.
The bill of the last session. providing for an
increase of the pay of the rank and file of the
army has had beneficial results, not only in
facilitating enlistsments, but in obvious I'M
provement in the class Of men who enter the
service. regret that corresponding considera-
ton was not bestowed on the officers who, in
view of their character and services, and the
expenses to which they are necessarily subject,
receive at present what Isl in my judgement,
inadequate compensation.
The valuable services constantly rendered by
the Army, and its inestimahle importance, as
the nucleus around which the volunteer forces
of the nation can promptly gather in the hour
of danger, sufficiently attest the wisdom ct
maintaining a military peace establishment:
but the theory of our system and the wise prac
tice under it,require that anv proposed augmen-
tailOn, in time of peace, be only commensurate
with our extended limits and frontier relations.
While scrupnously adhering to this principle,
] mud, IN existing circumstances, a necessity
for increase of oar military force, and it is
believed that four new regiments, two OF infant
ry and two of mounted men. will be sufficient
for the present exigency. If it we're necessary
carefully to weigh the cost ia case of such
urgency, it would he shown that TIE additional
expense would be comparatively light.
With the increase of the numerical force of
the army should, | think be combined certain
measures of reform in its organic arrangement
aud nj
IS the result of partial legislation often directed
to special objects and interests; aud the laws
regulating rank and command having been
adopted many years ago from the British code,
are not always applicable to orr service. 1t is
not surprising, therefore, that the system should
be deficient in the symmetry sad simplicity
essential To the harmonious working of its sew
eral parts, and require a careful revision.
The present organization, by maintaining
staff corps or departments, separates many OF
hcerS from that close connection with the troops.
and those active duties on the field, which are
deemed requisite to qualify them from the
varied responsibilities Of high command -
Were the duties of the army staff mainly dis
charged by Office detached from their regi-
ments. it is believed that the special service
would he equally well performed and the dSci-
pine Of the army be improved. While due
regard to the security of the right of officers,
and to the nice sense of honor which should be
cultivated among them. would seem to exact
compliance with the established rule Of promo.
ton in ordinary cases, still it can hardly he
doubted that the range of promotion by selec-
ton, which is now practically coafined to the
general officers, nigh be somewhat extended
with benefit to the public service. Observance
OF this rule of seniority sometime leads, espe
cialy in time of peace, 10 the promotion Of
officers who, after meritorious and even diStin-
tinguised service. may have been rendered hy
age or infrmitv incapable of perfnrminy active
duty, and whose enhancement, therefore. would
tend to impair the efficiency of :he army
Suitable provision for this class of officers. by
the creation of a retired list would remedy the
evil, without wounding the inst pride of men,
who, by past services, have established claim
to high consideration. In again commencing
this measure TO the favorable consideration of
Congress- ! would suggest that the power of
placing officers on the retired list, he limited to
one year. The practical operations Of the
measure ','"la ti- = lac TOD ND e ftar the
lapse of wears, there should he occasion TO
renew the provision, it can he reproduced with
any improvement which experience may
indicate. The present organization OF batter
les, and an organization OF batteries INTO
regiments, is liable tn obvious objections. The
service of artillery is that of batteries, and
an organization of batteries into corps of
artillery would he more consistent with the
nature of their duties. large part of the
troons now called artillery are, and have been.
on duty as infantry; the distinction between
the two arms being merely nominal
This nominal artillery in orr service
is entirely disproportionate to the whole force,
i IL, Al Of tbo
mand. | therefore commend the discontinue
ance of a distinction, which has no foundation
in either The arms used or the character OF the
service expected to he performed.
In connection to the proposition for the
increase Of the army, have presented these
suggestions with re rard to certain measures Of
reform, as the complement of n system, which
would produce the happiest results from given
expenditure, and which hope NAV attract the
early attention and he deemed worthy of the
approval, of Congress.
The recommendation Of the Secretary of the
Navy, having reference to mere ample provis-
ions for the discipline and general improvement
in character of seamen. and for the re organ
cation and gradual increase of the Navy, |
deem eminpntlv worthy vonr favorable cOns'd-
Grafton. The principles, which have controlled
our policy ia relation to the permanent military
force, by sea and land are sound. consistent
with the theory Of our system, and should by
no means be diSrpgarded But, limiting the
force to the objects particularly set forth in the
preceding part of this message. we should
not overlook The present magnitude and pros
pective extension Of our commercial marine, nor
fail to give due weight 10 the fact that, besides
two thousand miles of Atlantic seahoard. we
have now Pacific coast. stretching from Mex
CO to the British possessions in the North tenn
in,- with wealth and enterprise, and demanding
the constant presence Of shi0s of war. The
augmentation of the Navy has not kept pace
with the duties properly and prnftably assign
ed to it in time of peace, and it is inadequate
for the large fields of It's operations, not merely
in the present but still more in the progressive
" increasing exigencies of the wealth aud
commerce of the United States. ! cordia ly
approve of the proposed apprentice system tor
oGr national vessels recommended by the
Secretary of the Navy.
The occurrence, during the last few months
Of marine disasters of the most tragic nature,
involving great loss Of human life, has produc-
ed intense emotions of sympathy and snrrow
throughout the country. 1t may well be donht
ed whether all the calamatious events are
wholly attributed to the necessary and inevi'a-
BILE dangers Of the sea. The merchants, marin
erS, and ship builders of the United States, are
il is true. unsurpassed in far reaching enterprise
skill intelligence and courage. nv any others il