The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-08

soa res ssss, .. tina r-essA .Asy q -. sns.~s sss
men Of u aAv ar ss-sss< y assy % hs vessi sar'
yey.
wcnnAss % I'm saw
. AlssSnss censs.''. = .. Is.' s.,Is' s.'ng,y
sirncsios % eta nee sf~ss fr,rss-. Esd foe
completing and spehsas sAs frss,-. s.ss .ss sssiss
Ia @ e n: s.sy Sss W. r.. y ~.
lection Of our stds ee~s~scs ths rasrhng %
nation demand that ~ .ssa sss !. .sslvy .s.,s,
sry and with inactive ind~rsucs lrhoa No prosre-s
q other powers 10 naval .sr-nrh Az !. barely an
wise 10 glance Al the vsris nssessl say r~r~ snd
compare the sine 81 our navy, not srsis sh tes ~
the mighty nation. ~i,h whom claim equs r.nk. sat
far behind in the u nstiess greatness bssD
with Tie addition Of tho annnishsd stsaa frxsies
for service. weakoc-s invites svxrss.oA ana
spires respect vhs sckDo~ieaxra srraxh as visible
preparation .ommaaa eon.iasrsuon, snd - tne 80.
safeguard ~ fsace And, although ear rs-aAeo =.
peace. and No ~artks m~~~cnx~rs ~ rrsp.xsnaism
are to b. -sDi forih 70 force t~pabicAs hAsriy
wen 10 remember that, IN sdaffou 70 the crsnafy
certainty which hangs around qaesien. q esrs
and IA the distant fstsr~, have % euceant.f
lily disguised jealousy of peculiar inss,asns from
those who cling Nth tsnsefy 60 the eia sysn - GOV
srnment Hear the angsase q one VI yaur preiaces
sors in . message "a Congress than quart-r els
century ago "tnprovokrd inuries oftes snheted,
and even the peculiar felicity Of eur Situation night
with some be . oesse Tor excitement Aai sKgressea.
The history OF the late In Europe farrshe- cam
plete Demonstration Tat system az ecnduci ho~eyvr
Y
jury from any party that defeneeiess ts.iuon aud
distinguished love q p~sc~ the sarrs nsstens 70
war and that ,bsfe !. no -.s 70 .'ssa eass ,'aa
meet IL, II there b. people on earth whose npre eslc-
cai duty i is TO be at AL times prepared 70 dsissd ths
pass all others IN sustaining the Necessary hurasas
and in submitting 80 sacrifices 20 make saeh preFArs
The wen-armed and well manned ship. a car navy ss,
be truly regarded many ocean sentinel stationed
along The main 10 challenge al sny might dare
IN ufsDu a.
announcement 10 them lis true, At prsce wih
the world; and 30, but few months ago we're M ma
tous of Europe and undo the bcsign influence ~ Cars
tisnty and civilization, seemed hopeful Of quiet aiare
with rivalry but in arts science, and national De
velopement. The scene Is suddenly changed War, nth
all its bloody csiamities, IL conyusing those mighty
nations, and no prophetic statesman forete -
tent its termination. But who interested IN the
navys is not merely the citizen whose lot e cast
along the coast the wealthy merchant in cities the
Spectator in floating merchandise, but merchants, me
chancs, planters, our countrymen all along The eoAst
up rivers beyond the mountains. The agricultural
interest much benefited and protected BY the navy
any other Every planter in every section !. not
\ more truly protected by the enclosure around his
farm, than by wooden walls which nosi around
our coast The States which border on the Mississippi
transport on its bosom their cotton and grain AND sugar
and vast varieties Of products which borne into The
Gulf OF Mexico With navy SUFFICIENT TO protect 10
that region, who appreciate the nconvenence snf
embarrassment which our planting interest VIII sxpe
rience in war; But the great cost Is often suggested
states man. who should however, remember thu, every
dollar is expended among our own people 10 the pur
chase material payment OF lab0r~rs, and that
brings into exercise the mechanical skin Of country
promotes, and thereby perpetuates class In our md.
essential to national independence. He who visits
navy yards, and fingers . moment in bebolding
the giant frames of the noble ships nov being
constructed by the genius the lAbsr, ana With the
money expended not merely results IN prrseatas
floating battery to protect our property and our
at.an sho pay back into the treasury with fosa
interest il not wasted capital; II 10 not like the
millions annually sent abroad to foreign capitalists 10
thu n( awtr
leaving embarrassment in its trail. do not propose
to the number Of officers, materially 10
current expenses, TO have navy Of the immense
size and expense Of Of the powers Of Europe But
at least to approximate to state Of readiness for emer
gcncies which wise statesmen strive to avoid but wiser
statesmen prepare to meet II win be my pleasure to
ment in practically carrying out these views.
For n detailed statement Of the actual condition Of
our naval force beg to refer y'u to full report Of
Repair,
by the Of Congress directing the construction Of six
steam rgates decided after mature consideration aud
inquiry to have them built in the navy yards, under the
immediate supervision Of the department. The
Of live oak, well scasoned-had erected ship houses
which the vessels while being built could be protected
from exposure, and the mechanics employed could be
sheltered comfortably and able to the work
/ in The most Indictment weather
On examination, discovered that there neither
material building slip shiph0use ut Pensacola, and
that the transin was being rebuilt, and the san,ee
altered and completed at kttery therefore ordered
that immediate rtpsra lion be made for constructing
the new frgates at the navy yards in Boston, BROOKLYN
philadelphia, Washington and Norfolk There is no DIM
Guilty in securing the services Of many skiliul
p,echancs and laborers ss are desired. The public
officers at the several yards have all manifested
deep interest in despatching the work with
Much progress has been made, and have no doubt
six first class steamers, equal to the expectation Of
means can accomplish the work Not having facilities
for manufacturing the steam machinery necessary ex-
n az cantrasto h a
five of the frgates These contracts have been made
with builders Of established reputation, and the
tractors are busy engaged In fulfilling Them The plan
adopted to invite proposals, to call forth the
best skill Of the country, and before adopting them
submit them for my guidance to board OF engineers
Bonds with approved sureties have taken the
faithful execution Of the work. and two-htbs OF the
tract price is to be retained until the machinery has
months. Before adopting any OF the plans PROPOSED
thought proper in consideration of the greater expert
Of England ana France in the application OF steam
machinery to -of-war, TO order the Engueer-in-
Chief, Martin, 10 visit Europe with view to avail
made. The observations made during his visit and the
interesting reports Of Lieutenant Walker who had been
similarly engaged viii prove useful to the service The
for being launched in few weeks. The Franklin is
progressing rapidly and it is confidently expected that
the six steam frigates will be launched certainly by the
ensuing fall, if not earlier.
REORGANIZATION Tux NAVY.
In my last annual report ventured to express the
Optnlon tnat pfcsenp VI the navy
only essentially defective and unwse, but is, its
practical operation, working palpabe and serious mis-
chief to the efficiency and character OF that branch OF
the public SERVICE and "that retired list reduced
pay for the faithful who have become infrm tho dis
charge Of the inefficient who have no claim on the
bounty of their government for services rendered
promotion regulated by capacity merit and not by mere
seniority Of commission, and pay to some extent
troed by service reforms not only demanded by
the condition Of the service by considerations Of justice
but absolutely necessary to the preservation Of efficiency
and usefulness" Efforts we're made during the last SEES
sion to accomplish many of the desired reforms. No
final action taken. Subsequent reflection and ex-
yercrce of nearly two years connection with the navy
extended acquaintance with the officers, and at
tentve observation Of the practical working OF the
presen. system, have uot only confirmed the
ectness Of those views but constran at the hazard
of the charge Of pcrnacity, to most earnestly
my previous Recommendations, and to urge their
sderston and adoption with deep socitnde So far ~
have the authority ut present these views shall guide
my action. recommend for promotion TO higher
IA nix and ger paw officers who do not merit it. from