The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1854-12-14

will be suflioiept 10 meet the present exi-
! gency. If II were necessary carefully to
tsweigh the cost IN a case Of suchiurgency, il
would be shown that The additional expense
Ewonld be corpataliysIy light
| With the increase of the numerical force
OF the army should, think, be confined
iiceraiu measures Of reform in Its organic
arrangement and administration. The pres
EN-. organization is the result of partial leg
isaiion often directed to special objects and
Interests and the laws regulating rank and
conmakd, having been adopted many years
ago from the British code, are not always
4 applicable 10 our sersice Its mol surpris-
| ing, therefore, that .lfe system should be de-
ficienl in the symmetry and simplicity es-
senta 10 the harmonious working of its sew
Ieral paris, and require careful revision.
The present organization, by maintaining
large stuff corps or departments, separates
many officers from that close connection
with troops, and those active duties in the
field, which are deemed requisite 10 qualify
them for the varied responsibilities of high
command Were the duties of the army
staff mainly discharged by officers detached
from their regiments, ii is believed that the
special service would be equally we'll per.
formed, and the discipline and instruction Of
The army be improved, While due regard
to the security Of the rights Of ofiicers, and
TO the NICE sense Of honor which should be
cultivated among them, would seem TO ex-
aci compliance wtifuhe estabiishcd ru.o Of
promotion in ordinary cases, still il can
1 hardly be doubted that the range Of promo
ton by selection, which is now practically
! confined TO the grade of general officers,
might be somewhat extended with benefit
10 the public services.
Observance of the rule of seniority some
times leads, especially in time of peace, TO
The promotion of officers who, after merilo-
rous and even distinguished service, may
have been rendered by age or infirmity in
capable Of performing active duty, and
whose advancement, therefore. would lend
10 impair the efficiency of the army. Suita-
BILE 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
claim TO high consideration. In again COM
mending this measure 10 the favorable con
sideration Of Congress, would suggest tba,
the power of placing officers on .he retired
list be limited 10 one year.
The practical operation of the measure
would thus be tested, and if, aiier the lapse
of years, there should be occasion 10 renew
the provision, ii can be reproduced with
any Improvements which experience may
Indicate. The present organization of the
artillery into regiments is liable 10 obyions
objections. The service of artillery is that
Of batteries, and an organization of batteries
into corps Of artillery would be more con-
eistent with the nature of their duties. A
large part OF the troops now called artillery
are, and have been, on duty as infantry the
| distinction between the two arms being
! merely nominal. The nominal artillery in
our service is entirely dsproportionate 10 the
whole force, and greater than the wants of
the country demand, therefore com mend
the disconiinuance of distinction, which
has no foundation in either the arms used or
the character OF the service expected 10 be
performed.
In connection with the proposition for the
increase of the army, have presented these
| suggestions with regard 10 certain measures
Of reform, as The complement of system,
which would produce the happiest results
from given expepdn ure, and which hope
may attract the early attention, and be
deemed worthy of the approval, ot Con-
gress.
the navy, having reference 10 more ample
provisions for the discipline and general inn
proyemenl in the character of seamen, aud
for the reorganization and gradual increase
of The navy, deem eminenIly worthy OF
your favorable consideration. The princi-
ples, which have controlled our policy in
relation 10 the permanent 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 par
ticularly sci forth in the preceding par; OF
this message, we should not overlook the
present magnii ude and prospective extension
of our commercial marine, nor fail 10 give
due weight TO the fact that, besides the Two
,houeand miles of Atlantic seaboard VIC
have now Pacific coast, stretching from
Mexico to The British possessions in the
north, teeming with wealth and enterprise,
and demanding the constant presence Of
ships-oi-war.
The augmentation Of the navy has not
kept peace with tho duties properly and
profitaoly assigned 10 it in time of peace,
and il is inadequate for the large field of lis
Operations, not merely in the present but
still more in the progressively increasing ex.
gencles of the wealth and commerce of the
United States. | cordially approve of the
proposed apprentice system for our nation
al 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 produced intense emotions of sym.