The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-12-13

tahce, as the nucleus around which the vol
unteer forces Of the nation can promptly
gather in the hour of danger, sufficiently
attest the wisdom Of maintaining a military
peace establishment ; but the theory of our
sy stem and the wise practice under it, re-.
quire that any proposed augmentation, in
time OF peace, be only commensurate with
our extended limits and frontier relations,
While scrupulOusly adhering to this prnci.
pie, find in existing circumstances, a n"-
cessty for increase Of our military force
and il is believed that four new regiments,
two of infantry and two of mounted men,
will be- sufficient to meet the present exi.
gency. Ii II were necessary carefully to
weigh the cost in a case of such urgency, it
would be shown that the additional expense
would be comparatively light.
With the increase Of the numerical force
OF the army should, think, be combined
certain measures OF reform its organic
arrangement and administration. The pre-.
sent organization 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 al
ways applicable to our service. /: is not
surprising, therefore, that the sy stem should
be deficient in the symmetry and simplicity
essential to the harmonious WORKING of its
several parts, and require n careful revision.
The present organization, by maintaining
large staff corps or departments, separates
many officers from that close connection
with troops, and those active duties in the
field, which are deemed requisite to qualify
command. Were the duties of the army
foH h,, Dn, It., ,I,,l
from their regiments, it is believed that the
special service would be equally well per
formed, and the discipline and instruction
OF the army be improved. While due re-.
gard to the security of the rights 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 promotion in ordinary cases, still il can
hardly be doubted that the range of promo
ton by selection, which is now raclicaly
confined to the grade of general officers,
might be somewhat extended with benefit
to the public service. Observance Of the
rule OF seniority sometimes leads. especial
ly in rmc of peace, to the promotion Of of
hccrs who, after meritorious and even dis
tingnish"d service, may have been rendered
by age or intirn,ity incapable of performing
active duty, and whose advancement, there
fore, would tend to impair the efficiency of
the army. Suitable provision for this class
| of officers, by the creation of retired list,
would remedy the evil, without wounding
the just pride Of men, who. by past services,
have established Il claim to high considera.
ton. In again commencing this measure
to the favorable consideration Of Congress,
would suggest that the power of placing
officer on the retired list b Q limited to one
year.
The practical operation of the measure
would thus be tested, and If, after the lapse
OF years, there should be occasion 20 renew
the provision, it can be reproduced with
any improvements which experience may
Indicate. The present organization Of the
artillery into regiments is liable to obvious
objections. The service of artillery is that
OF batteries, and an organization Of bat
teries into corps Of artillery wonld be
moro consistent with the nature of their
duties. A large part Of the troops now call.
ed artillery, arc, and have been, on duty as
infantry the distinction between the .wS
afnrcty'm our service is entirely dispropor-
tionatc TO the whole force, and greater than
the wants of the country demand there
fore recommend the discontlnuance Of dis
tinc,ion, which has no foundation in either
the arms used ar the character Of the ser
vice expected to be performed.
In connection with the proposition for
the increase Of the army, have presented
these suggestions with regard TO certain
measures of reform rs the complement of
system, which would produce the happiest
results from given expenditure, and which
would produce the happiest results from n
given expenditure, and which | hope may
attract the early attention, AMI Re deemed
worthy of the approval, Of Congress.
The recommendation of the Secretary of
the Navy, having reference to more ample
provisions for the discipline and general im-
pr'vement in the character Of seamen, aud
for the reorganization and gradual increase
Of the navy, | deem eminently worthy of
your favorable consideration The princi-
pies, which have controlled our policy in
relation to the permanent military force, by
sea, and land, are sound, consistent with the
theory Of our system, and shonld by no
means be disregarded. 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 prospective axtension of our CONNER.
cial marine, nor fail to give due weight Ia
the fIct that, besides the two thousand
miles Of Atlantic seaboard, we have now a
Pacific coast, strctc' ing from Mexico 10 the
British Possessions in the north, teeming
with wealth and enterprise, and demanding
the constant presence of ships-of war
The augmentation Of the navy has not kept
pace with the duties properly and p.oftably
assigned to it in time of peace, and IL is in,
adequate for the large field of its operations
not merely in the present but still m, re in
the progressively increasing exigencies OF
the wealth and commerce OF the United
States, cordially approve Of the proposed
apprentice system for our 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 hu.
man life, has produced intense emotions OF
sympathy and sorrow throughout the coun.
try. II may well be doubted whether all
these calamitous events are wholly attribu.
table 10 the nece ssary and inevitable dan
| gers Of the sea- The merchants, mariners
and ship builders of the United States, are
it is true, unsurpassed in faf-reachiug en-.
terprise, skill, intelligence and courage, by
any others in the world. But, with the in.
creasing amount Of our commercial ton.
mage in the aggregate, aud the larger size
| and improyad eauipnient of fha aI,,ns nn,,