Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-01-07
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one of the chapters in Mr.. Bentonss History, which
i has appeared in the New, York Evening Post says:
It appears that during the first term of the Pre-
sdency of Gen jackson, our small mllltary estap-
lisnment seemed to be almost in state OF dissolu
i ton, from the frequency of desertons Congress,
in the year 1881, endeayored to remedy the EVIL by
increase of pay to the rauks and and Tile and nom
commissioned officers This, trial, was found 10
4 answer purpose: 1890
Benton, after making ashort introduction to the
above effect, like business man. proceeds to enter
ito the midst of his subject and does most effec-
lively, by inserting paragraph from letter writ
ten to him by Mr. Macon, of North Carolina, elected
at the time by the debates of Congress the sub
ject. This Paragraph deserves places in the Ame-
wrote thus: why does the army, of late years
desert more than formerly? Because the officers
have been brought up at West Point and not among
the people Soldiers desert because not attached to
| the service not attached to the officers Vest
Point cadets prevent the promotion of good serge
ants, and men cannot like service which denies
them promotion, nor like the officers who get all the
commissions. The increase of pay will not cure the
evil and nothing but promotion will In the revo-
lutionary army we had many distinguished officers
| who entered the army privatcs.
Thus thought and wrote true democrat twenty
| years ago Benton preserved his observations, and
about the commencement of the fall of the present
year, his capter the military academy was pub
shed in the truly democratic prints in the country.
| The chapter created sensation and flvorably
received by the people,
Now let us sec the practical resultsl Mr. Jeffer-
secretary
himself an eleve of the West Point Academy, and
brave commander of the Mexican war his report
accompanying the Presidents message, urging fur
ther increase of the pay of the soldiers, matter
of more representative equalization with the prices
which labor commands makes the following
recommendations:
To carry into effect the third measure proposed,
it is recommended that the President be authorized,
under regulations to be established by law to confer
the brevet of second lieutenant upon such mcritori
Gus non-commissioned officers as may, by examina-
ton before any army board be found qualified for the
duties of commissioned officers and to ill certain
portion of the vacancies which may occur in that
grade, authorized by law, by attaching such
commissioned officers, superpumerarieS, to
the army, to according to their brevet and be
promoted cadets under like circumstances now
are
The Secretary still further enforces the views of
Mr.. Macon by the following just remarks:
Patriotism or a sense of duty will not in time of
peace, fill the ranks of amy nor will pay alone
be sufficient to dcvelope the element of efficiency.
The hope of advancement is the foundation of pro-
fessional zeal and success, and the incentive should
exist in the army in civil life. Its honors and
distinctions should be open to all that they may in
cite the ambition and stimulate the zeal of all In
making these suggestions, have had principally in
view the Improvement of the army; but it is my
opinion founded upon the opinion of our past histo
ry, that if adopted they would also produce econom
ical results
And the suggestions contained in the following
paragraph from the Secretarys report, proved the
hearty good will with which he seems to be ready to
second and carry out in detail the leading views of
Mr.. Macon.
The paragraph referred to- reads follows:
There is another class of noncommissioned Off
GERS, of long and faithful and often highly distin
guished services, who, from want of education are
not qualified to become commissioned officers, but
eninently fitted for and deserving OF, positions
of subordinate responsibility and trust. TO provide
for the advancement of this class, it is respectfully
recommended that authority be granted to appoint
limited number of fortkeepers or barrack masters
tn ln LAT of inf
tions not occupied by troops, and as substi
tutes for the civil agents employed by the quarter
masters and engineers departments receiving CON-
pensaton intermediate between that of the highest
grade of non-commissoncd officers. These duties |
would be efficiently performed and at dirn- |
ished expense to the government. These suggcs- |
tions if carried out will not be burdensome to the
service by increasing the number of officers beyond
its wants, nor expensive beyond commensurate adj |
vantagcs.'
The country is indebted to Mr. Davis for this de-
mocratic performance of his duty.
After quoting some interesting facts from the same
chapter which show the Importance of making pro-
motions from the ranks, the best method of secur
ing to the service those whom nature designed for
officers by temperament and capacity, and which
fer to the practice of other nations the wrt,r in the
Democrat closes thus:
Benton might have we'll added, that, in this sys-
tenn of promotion from the ranks lay the secret of
of the French armies against the armies of
Europe combined. The tactics of Frederick the
Great were by it overthrown in pitched battle
profited. Their army nationaized. promotions
from the ranks introduced. The mighty will of the
many brought to bear on the enemy, whilst pre-
viousy the inanimate, listlcss tools
machines moved by the commander according to
tain long-accustomed manoeuyres, without that they
took any interest whatsoever in the disputes of their
masters. To this end is the tendency of our present
system. The thorough reform of the West Point
and promotion from the rank and file arc
the remedy" -
GREEK CHURCH Such as it was, the Greek church
and Russians were immersed in pagansm 1t was
about the end of the ninth century that the Scavo-
mans, Arentani, and certain provinces of Dalnatia
sent solemn embassy to Constantinoplc to declare
their resolution of submitting to the Emperor and |
at the same time, the Christian religion;
which caused great rejoicing, and missionaries were
dispatched to convert the people. bishop was al
so sent; and such was the beginning and first dawn
Of Christianity among the rude warlike Russians
who inhabited the Ukraine, and then, now, threa-
tened the peace and independence of the Crecian
Empire. Poland came next in the wake; and in 9S7 +
Wlodimir, Duke of Russia and Muscovy, who had
six years before married Anne the sister of the Gre
clan Emperor, Basius the Second, was persuaded
BY her to be baptized and his subjects followed the
example of their Prince and this is the true date
IF the establishment of Christianity among the peo
Die, who have santed Wlodimr and his duchess
md continue to worship them, particularly at Kiova
where they were inferred. =
ian church and people remained under the jursdic-
80 H. De-, Of (Nan .