The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-08

herring 10 this principle, find, in existing circum
stances, a necessity for Increase OF our ni'i'afs
force and 1t is believed that iour new rrgiheu.s'
two OF Infantry and two Of mounted men, WIN DC
sufficient to meet the present Agency. II Il were
necessary carefully 10 weigh the cost IN case
OF such urgency, 1t would be shown that Inc ao-
ditionaI expense would be comparatively light.
With the increase OF The numerical force oil Inc
"a rmy should, / think, be combined certain mea'
sures ofreform IN its organic arrangement and ad-
ministration. The present organization is Inc re-
suit of partial legislation often directed to special
objects and interests and the laws regulating
rank and common having been adopted many
years ago from the British code, are not always
applicable TO our service. Ii is not surprising,
therefore, that the system should be deficient, in
The symmetry and simplicity essential to the har.
monious working oil its several parts, and require
a careful revision.
The present organization, by maintaining large
staff corps or departments, separates many off,
GERS from that close connection with troops, and
those active duties III the field, which deemed
requisite 10 qualify them for the varied RESPONSE
bili,ies of high command Were the duties Of the
army staff mainly discharged by officers detached
from their regiments, it is believed that the special
service would be equally well performed, and the
discipline and instruction of the army be improy-
ed While due regard 10 the security of the rights
be cultivated among them, would seem to exact
compliance with the established rule of promotion
in ordinary eases, still it can hardly be doubted
that the range of promotion by selection, which is
now practically 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, especially in time Of
peace, to the promotion of officers who, after
merorious and even distinguished service, may
hoy boo b,,, c
performing active duty, and whose advancement,
therefore, would tend 10 impair the efficiency of
the army. Suitable provision for this class OF Of
hcers, by the creation of retired list would re.
medy >he evil, without wounding the just pride Of
men who, by past services, have established
claim to high consideration. In again commend
ing this measure to the favorable consideration of
Congress, would suggest that the ROVER of pIac.
ing officers on the retired list DE limited to one
year. The practical operation oil the measure
would thus be tested, and if, after, The lapse Of
years, there should be occasion to renew the pro-
vision, il can be reproduced with any improve
ment which experience may Indicate. The pres
ent organization of the artillery into regiments is
liable TO obvious objections. The service of ar
tllery is that of batteries, and an organization of
batteries into corps OF artillery would be more
consistent with the nature Of their duties large
part Of the troops now called artillery are and
nave DteH, Oh uuIy as TIE uStinctiOn
between the two arms being merely nominal
This nominal artillery in service is entirely
to the whole force, and greater
than the wants of the country demand. | there.
lore commend the dscontnuance 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 in
crease of the army, have presented these sug.
r
form, as the com ement Of a system, which
would produce the happiest results from given
expenditure and which | hope may attract The
early attention, and be deemed worthy of the ap-
prevail of Congress.
The recommendation Of The Secretary Of the
Navy, having reference to more ample provisions
for The discipline and general Improvement in The
character Of seamen, and Cor the reorganization
and gradual increase of the Navy, deem emin-
emily worthy Of your favorable considerations
The principles, which have controlled our policy
in relation to the permanent military force, by sea
and land, are sound, consistent with the theory OF
system, and should by means be disturbed.
But Limiting the force to the objects particularly
set forth in the preceding part of this message,
should not overlook the present magnitude and
prospective extension Of our commercial marine
nor fail to give due we ght to the fact besides the
TWO thousand miles of Atlantic seaboard, we have
now racine coast, stretching from Mexico to the
British possessions in the North, teemine 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 pro
perry and probably assigned TO it in time Of peace
and it is inadequate for the large field of its OPP
erations, not merely in the present but still more
IN the progressively increasing exigencies Of the
wealth and commerce OF The United States
cordially approve Of the proposed apprentice sys-
tenn for our national vessels, recommended blythe
Secretary of the Navy.
The occurrence, during the last few months, Of
marine disasters of The tragic nature, invov-
ing great lost of human life, has produced intense
emotions of sympathy and sorrow throughout the
country. 1t may we'll be doubted whether all
these calamltous events wholly attributable
10 the necessary and inevitable dangers of the sea-
The merchants, mariners, and ship builders ofthe
United States are, It is true, unsurpassed in far
reaching enterprise, skill, intelligence and cour-
age, by any others in the world. But, with the
increasing amount of commercial tonnage in
the aggregate, and the larger size and improved
equipment of the ships now constructed, def.
cheney in the supply Of reliable seamen begins to
be very seriously felt, The inconvenience may,
perhaps, be met, in part, by due regulations for
the Introduction, into our merchant ships, Of in
dented apprentices; which, while it would afford
useful and eligible occupation 10 numerous young
men, would have tendency to raise the charac-