The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-20

Gently shocked by savage atrocities commltte
: upon defenceless emigrants and border settle
: ments, and hardly less by the unnecessary &c
S struction of valuable lives where inadequat
detachments of troops have undertaken to ful
' nish the needed aid. Without increase of tn
military force, these scenes will be repeated,
is TO be feared on larger scale, and with NOR
| disastrous consequences. Congress am sur
| will perceive that the plainest duties and res
possibilities of government are involved in thi
! question, and l doubt not that prompt actio
, may be confidently anticipated when della
must be attended by such fearful hazards.
, The bill Of the last session, providing for al
increase Of the pay of the rank and file of tn
army, has been of beneficial results, not only il
facilitating enlistments, but in obvious improve
ment in the class of men who enter the service
I regret that corresponding consideration wa
not bestowed on the officers, who in view O
their character and services, and the expens,
to which they are necessary subject, receive a
present what is in my Judgment inadequat,
compensation.
The valuable services constantly rendered BY
the army and its inestimable importance, a:
the nucleus around which the volunteer forces
of the nation can promptly gather in the hou1
of danger, sufficiently attest the wisdom O.
maintaining military peace establishment; but
the theory Of our system and the wise practice
under it require that any proposed augmenta.
ton in time of peace be only commensurate with
our extended limits and frontier relations
While scrupulously adhering to this principle, !
find in existing circumstances, necessity for
increase of our military force, and tits believed
that four new regiments two of infantry and
two of mounted men, will be sufficient to meet
the present exigency. If it were necessary
carefully to weigh the cost in case of such ur-
gency, it would be shown that the additional
expense would be comparatively light. With
the increase of the numerical force of the army
should think be combined certain measures
Of reform in it's organic arrangement and adj
ministration. The present organisation is the
result of partial Legislation, often directed to
special objects and interests, and the laws regu-
lating rank and command, have been adopted
many years ago. from the British code, are not
always applicable to our service. tits not sur
prising therefore that the system should be def
clent IN the symmetry and simplicity essential
to the harmonious working of its several parts,
and require careful revision.
The present organization, by maintaining large
staff corps or departments separated many officers
from that close connection with troops and those ac
tive duties in the field which requisite to qualify
them for the varied responsibilities of high com
mand. Were the duties Of the army staff mainly
discharged by officers detached from their regiments
it is believed that the special service would be equal
ly well performed, and the discipline and instruc-
ton of the army be improved.
While due regard to the security of the rights of
officers and to the nice of honor which should
be cultivated among them would seem to exact COM
pllance with the established rule of promotion in
ordinary cases. still it can hardly be doubted that
the range OF promotion by selection which is practi
cally confined to the grade of general officers might
be somewhat extended with benefit to the public |
service: Observance of the rule of seniority some
tunes Leads especially in time Of peace to the pro-
molten OF officers who, after meritorous and even
distinguished service, may have been rendered by
age or lntfmlty incapable of performing active duty
and whose advancement therefore would tend to i'm
par the efficiency of the army. Suitable provision
1or TINS class OF officers by the creation of retired
list would remedy the evil, without woundine the
Just pride of men who by past services have estab-
llshed claim to high consideration. In again COM
nendng this measure to the favorable consideration
d congress, would suggest that the power of pla-
eng officers the retired list be limited to one wear
he direct operation of the measure would thus be
esed, and II, after the lapse Of years. there should
be occasion to renew the provision it can be repro
1uced with any improvements which experience may
Indicate. The present organization of the artillerv
INTO regiments, is liable to obvious objections. The
service of artillery is that of batteries and an orga
AVIATION OF batteries into corps of artillery would
De more consistent with the nature of their duties
large part OF the troops now called artillery are
Ihd nave been on duty as infantry; the distinction
between the two arms being merely nominal The
lom!nal artillery in service is entirely dispro-
'ort1onate to the whole force and greater than the
wants OF the country demand. i therefore, recon-
nend the dIscontnuance of distinction which has
10 foundation either inthe used or the charac-
er OF the service expected to be performed
In connection with the proposition for the increase
1 the army have presented these suggestions with
egard to certain measures of reform as the compile
1ent OF system, which would produce the happpi-
st results from a given expenditure and which T
ope may attract the early attention. and be deemed
5orthy OF the approval of congress-
The recommendation of the secretary of the navy :
avng reference to more ample provisions for the
lsclPIne and general improvement in the character
seamen, and for the Reorganization and gradual :
'crease OF the navy, deem eminently worthy of =
our laSoraDle consideration The principles which
ave controlled our policy in relation to The perma
ent military torce, by sea and land are sound con-
stent with the theory of our SYSTEM and should
no means be disregarded But limiting the force 9
the OBJECTS particularly set forth in the preceding +
art OF this message, should not overlook the :.
resent magnitude and prospective extension of our
marine nor fail to give due weight to the
ct that, besides the two thousand miles Of Allan
sea, board we have now Pacific coast stretching
ol MEXICO TO the British possessions in the NORTH
enlng with wealth and enterprise, and demanding u
e constant presence of ships of war The aug :.
entatlon OF the navy has not kept pace with the -
1t!es kept properly and proftably assigned to it
time OF peace and it is Inadequate for the large "
ia OF It's operations not merely in the present but
III more IN the progressively Increasing exigencies
the wealth and commerce of the United States. ~
cordially approve of the proposed apprentice svs ~
m tor our national vessels, recommended bv the =
eretary of the navy. u
he occurrence, during the last few months. Of o.
ar1ne disasters of the most tragic nature, involving
eat loss OF human life has produced intense emo n
ms OF sympathy and sorrow throughout the coun II
T.. 1t may well be doubted whether all these ca M
nltous events wholly attributable to the neces CT
y and inevitable dangers of the sea- The mer re
ants mariners and shpbulders of the u States, OF
:, 1t is true, unsurpassed in farreachnp enter re-
Use, skill Intelligence and courage, by any others
the world. = 1' 0'''~A' :;
put, with the increasing amount of our CONNER in
l tonnage In the aggregate, and the larger size at
improved equipment of the ships now construct Ii
a deficiency in the supply of reliable seamen.
gins to be seriously felt The inconvenience NAV &C
rhaps be met, in part, by due regulation for the re-
INTO our merchant ships of ndented an va
'ntlces, which, while it would afford useful and M
glble occupation to numerous young men, would in
We tendency to raise the character of seamen as m;
lass. "' e.
md it is deserving If serious raHao+;o,, -