The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-12-14

promptly gather in The hour of danger,
sufficiently, attest the wisdom of main
tanning a military peace establishment,
the theory of our system aud the wise
practice under it, require that any pro-
posed augmentation, in time Of peace, be
only commensurate with our extcnod lin
its aud frontier relations.
While scrupulously adhering to this
principal, find in existing circumstances,
necessity for increase of our military
force, and it is believed that four new
regiments; two Of infantry and two Of
mounted men, will be sufficient to meet
the present exigency. If it were neces-
sary carefully to weigh the cost in case
of such urgency, it would be shown that
the additional expense would be c0mpar-
atively light
With the increase of the numerical
force of the army should | think, be com
bined certain measures of reform in its
organic arrangement and administration
The present organization is the result OF
partial legislation often directed to spe-
cial objects and iDtesests; and the laws
regulating rank and command having
been adopted many years ago from the
British code, are not always applicable
to our service, It is not surprising, there
fore, that the systemn should be deficient
in the symmetry and simplicity essential
to the harmonious working of its several
parts, and require careful revision.
The present organization, by main
tanning large staff corps or departments,
separates many officers from that close
connezion with troops, and thos active
duties in the field, which are deemed re
quisito to qualify them for the varied re-
sponsibilities of high command. Were
the duties of the army staff mainly dis
charged by officers detached from their
regiments. it is believed that the special
service would be equally we'll performed, ,
and the discipline and instruction of the
army be improved While due regard
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 estab-
lished rule of promotion in ordinary cas-.
5 Still it cas aRraiy be doubted tbat the
range of promotion by selection, which is
now practically confined to the grade Of
general officers, might he somewhat cx-
tended with benefit to the public service.
Observance of the rn.c cf seniority
sometimes leads, especially in time OF
peace, to the promotion Of officers who,
after meritorious and even distinguished
service, may have been rendered BY age
or infrmity incapable Of performing ae-
tive dGty, 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 re-
tired list, would remedy the evil, without
wounding the just pride of nen who, by
past services, have established claim to
high consideration, In again commend
lng this measure to the favorable con>id-
Grafton Q! Congress | would suggest that
the power Of placing officers on the re-
tired list be 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 to renew
the provision, ii can be reproduced with
ans improvements which experience may
indicate. The present organization of
the artillery into regiments is liable to
obvious objections. The service of ar
tillcry is that Of batteries, and an organ
lzation of batteries into corps Of artil-
lery would be more consistent with the
nature of their duties. A large part Of
the troops now called artillery are, and
have been, on duty as infantry; the dis
tinction between the two arms bcingmere-
y nominal. This nominal artillery in
our service is disproportionate to the
whole force, and greater than the wants
of the country demand. Ithcrefore com
mend the discontinuance Of distinction.
which has no foundation in either the
arms used or the character Of the service
expected to be performed.
In connection with tie proposion for
the increase Of the Army, l have present
ed these suggestions With regard to GER
tain measures Of reform, as the compile
ment Of system, which would produce
the bappiest results from given expen-
aiture, and which hope may attract the
early attention, and be deemed worthy OF
the approval of Congress.
The recommendatio Of the Secretary
Of the Navy, having reference to more
ample provisions for the discipline and
general Improvement in the character of
seameD, and for the reorganization and
gradual increase of the Navy, I deem en-
inently worthy Of your favorable consid-
Grafton. The principles, which have con-
trolled our policy in relation to the per-
manent 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 force to
the objects particularly set forth in the
preceding part of this message, We should |
not overlook the present magnitude and
prospective extension of our commercial
marine, nor fail to give due weight to the
fact that, besides the two thousand miles
of Atlantic seaboard, we have now a Pa
cifc coast, stretching from Mexico to the
British possession in the north, teeming
with wealth and epterpriso ond Sop,ond |