Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-12-15
Secretary of the Novy's Rc,>or,

""""StOH Unl0n
Secretary of the NOvy's report.
A perusal of this long and ably-preporea rono.,
has afforded ordinary qualification arG
qualification, we feel assured. which will bA shoro3
in common with US by the whole country TiE
every other public document which has emona,N5
from tie pen of Secretary Dobbn it is clear in or
position, convincing in argument, and is marked hr
of purpose which cannot fail 10 evoro!
a wholesome influence
The report commences with detailed accoro+ r
the movements of the various squadrons Anv;o,r;
felt touching the fate of the missing sIoon Alb
but the department still entertains the oninion H.
she is safe. The steamer Princeton has been SEM ~
search of her.
The practicabllity of inter-0ceanic communicate
by the construction of ship-cana across The stbmna
of Darien has been fully tested by Lieutenant Sra
and party, who are highly c,mplimented for tha;r
arduous and dangerous services. According to Iien
SIS report, the work is totally impracticahle: and
this, the Secretary thinks, settles the question for
ever.
The bombardment of Greytown is treated at con
siderable length, and the conduct of Commander Ho
Inns fully justified.
Com nodore Perry is spoken of in terms of warm
COmmendatioh for his lndomtable perseverance and
remarkable management in the negotiations which
resulted in commercial treaty with the Emperor Of
Japan.
The Secretary again presses upon Congress the ur.
gent necessity of still further increase of the navv
Congress should not stop with ordering the constrnc
ton of six new steam-frigates. He asks, "compare
the size of our navy not merely with that of the
mighty nations with whom we claim equal rank bnt
with that of other nations whom esteem to be far
far behind in the of national greatness Even
with the addition of the six steam gates ordered orr
naval force will not exceed fifty vessels in condition
for service deenceless position invites aggression
and the history OF the late in Europe furnishes
a complete demonstration that no system of conduct
however correct IN principle, protect a neutral
power from injury. The only way to avoid war is
by being always prepared and willing to meet it for
a just cause. Every planter in every section of the
country is truely protected BY the enclosure
around his farm than by s. wooden walls which
float around our coast
The Secretary does not propose 10 enlarge mate.
rally the squadrons now in active service or to in
crease the number of officers. He simply desires to
increase the material of our navy so as TO be pre.
pared for any emergency
He dwells with peculiar stress upon the necessity
OF reorganization of The navy. He again recon-
mends Il retired list reduced pay for the faithful
who have become inflrm; the discharge of the inef.
Gent who have no just claim on the bounty of the
government. Promotion to be regulated by capacity
and merit, and not by seniority of commission
Pay to extent, to be controlled by sea service
He cannot, he says appreciate the justice or policy
OF promoting to higher grade an officer who can.
not perform It's dutes unless in rare exceptional ca
ses, as complimentary reward for services rendered
1t is neither more nor less than elevatng the ncom
petent, and then ordering the unpromoted competent
10 do their work.
The diseip pine of seamen is next discussed TIE
Secretary does not desire the restoration of oggng
for the experience of the navy ustifies its abroga
tlon-but he believes that substitute is needed ac
companled with plan OF reward well as punish
ment He recommends that the commander of any
vessel be authorized to order summary court mar
tlal for the trial of petty officers and those below
them; and that they have power to punish Ivy dis
honorable discharge in any port, or by confinement
on reduced rations, and without pay, with extra Ia
! Dor and denial OF shore privileges
| The Secretary deems it indispensable that some
plan be adopted by which our seamen shall become
more distinctly and permanently part of the navy
and attached to the service, and which can in part
be accomplished by granting conditional leave of ab
Sence at the end OF cruise, and an Increased pay
re-enllstmen. With the view of raising the stand
ard OF character among seamen, it is the design OF
the Secretary Immediately to adopt in modified
form, the apprentice SYSTEM and encourage the
enlistment of American Doys from fourteen until they
are twenty one years of age.
An increase of the marine is strongly recommen
ded The Secretary is satisfied that the corps could
be improved and elevated in character by adopting
some system of appointing officers of military educa'
! ton and training
large space in the report is devoted to the naval
yards and docks. The government now possesses
eight navy yards, including the one now in rapid
progress of completion at Mare Island, California.
The Naval Academy during the past year connu
ed to present TO the country practical evidence of the
wisdom and foresIgh of lis protector tits proposed
to substitute steamer for the soOp Prebe, used
as the practice ship for the instruction OF the students
The Naval Observatory is spoken of in terms OF
unqualified approval. 1t is estimated that the saving
to American commerce, by the use OF Lieutenant
Maury's charts, would amount TO several millions
annually
! The department is advised that Robert L. Sieyens'
iron war steamer, shot and she'll proof, is rapidly
progressing in its construction. Five hundred men
are new engaged on the work, and the boilers vii
be ree0y to be put on board in about three weeks.
During The year ending June 80, 1854, the total
expenditures for all objects under the control OF Inc
Navy Department were ST. ,8O1 ,845 81 but OF this
amount there was expended for special objects lh5
sum OF S3,910,Ol2 90; which would leave as the
legitimate expenditures for the support OF the nav!
ahd marine corps, ST, 1911 1923 99.-WdSh. Union.
/ GEN. CAss President OF THE SENATE.-By refer
ring to our report of the Senaes proceedings yeSteF
day, 1T will be seen that Gen. Glass; was Unanimously
chosen President pro- tenn of that body. In GOMEZ
ring this honor upon Gen. Cass, the Senate sImPH
consulted their dignity; and the county WIZ
learn with regret that the distinguished senator from
Michigan accepted the Office with the explicit ayo"a
that he would hold the same for only day Onf0"
\ THE Presidents MEssAGE.-This document !
laid before the readers of the Sun this morning. anI
as an annual resume of the condition OF the Po,'
affairs of the United States, should be read by all NV
people. 1t will be found quite comprehensive ~
usual, including brief alluson to every promileLb
national topic of the past year And the several ""
Jects thus brought into public review are dIScuS'e
most becoming, spirited, and liberal lone A.
style of the message is plain, unpretendng' anu "
rect and the sentiments it contains are ene u
Ijudcious, and entirely consistent with the Iheoy
our institutions and the enlarged scope OF Ameii'