Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-21


It's several parts. and require a careful re-
vision.
The present organization. by ma in tain
ing large staff corps OF departments. sep
arates many officers from that close con-
nection with troops. and those active
duties in the field. which are deemed
requisite TO qualify them for the varied
responsibilities of high command. Were
the duties of the army staff mainly dis.
charged by officers detached from their
regiments. it is believed that the special
service would be equally we'll performed
and the disci pine and instruction of the
army be improved. While due regard to
the security of the rights of officers, and
TO the nice sense Of honor which should
be cultivated among them. would seem
TO exact compliance with the established
rule of promotion in ordinary cases, still
it can hardly be doubted that the range
OF promotion by selection, which is now
practically confined to the grade of gem
eral officers. might be some what extended
with benefit TO the public service. o.
servance OF the rule of seniority somo-
times leads, especially in time of peace,
to the promotion of officers who. after
meritorious and even distinguished SER
vice, may have been rendered by age OF
infirmary incapable Of performing active
duty, and whose advancement, therefore
would tend to impair the efficiency oi
the army. Suitable provision for this
class OF officers. by the creation of a re-
tired list, would remedy the evil, without
wounding the just pride of men who, by
past services. have tablished a claim to
high consideration. In again commend
ing this measure TO the faithful consider
alton Of Congress, | would suggest that
the power Of placing officers. on the retir-
ed list be limited to one year. The prac-
tical operation Of the measure would
thus be tested. and if, after the lapse OF
years. there should he occasion to renew
the provision. it can be reproduced with
any Improvements which experience may
indicate. The present organization of
the artillery into regiments is liable TO
obvious objections. TIE service of artillery
is that Of batteries. and IN organization OF
batteries into a corps of artillery would
be II, ore consistent 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 be-
tween the two erms being merely nomi-
nal. This nominal srtillery in eur service
is entirely disproportionate TO the whole
force. .and greater than the wants of the
country demand. therefore commend
the discontinuance ola distinction. which
has no foundation in either the arms used
or the character II the service expected
TO be performed.
In connection with the proposition for
the increase of the army. have present
ed thefe suggestions with regard to GER
tain measures Of reform. as the compile.
ment of system, which would produce
the hsPPiest results from o given expen-
diture. and which hope may attract TIE
early attention. and be deemed worthy
of the approval of Congress.
The recomme ndation of the Secretary of
the Navy, having reference to more am
pie provisions for the discipline and
general improvement in the character OF
seamen, and for the re-organiza ton and
gradual increase of the navy, deem em-
nently worthy of your favorable consid-
Grafton. The principles which have con
trolled our policy in relation 10 the per-
manent military force. by sea and Land.
are sound. consistent with the theory of
our system. and should by no means be
disregardod. But. limiting the force, to
the object. particularly set forth in the
preceding part of this message. we should
not overlook the present magnitude and
prospective extension Of our commercial
marine. nor fail TO give due weight to
the fact that. besides the two thousand
miles of Atlantic seaboard. we have now
a Pacific coast, stretching from Mexico
TO the British possessions in the north,
teeming with wealth and enterprise. and
demanding the constant presence of ships
of-war. The augme NATION of the navy
has not kept pace with the duties proper
ly and profitably assigned to it in time
Of peace, and it is inadequate for the
large field of its operations. not merely
in the present but still more in the pro-
gressively increasing exigencies of the
wealth and commerce of the United
States. cordially approve of the pro-
posed apprentice system for our national
vessels, recommended by the Secretary
Of the Navy.
The occurrences during the last few
months, Of marine disasters of the mos,
tragic nature, involving great loss of hu-
man life. has produced intense emotions oil
sympathy and sorrow throughout the
country. 1t may well be doubted wheth-
er all these calamitous events are wholly
aitributab bic to the necessary and inevita
BILE dangers of the sea. The merchants
mariners, and ship builders Of the United
States are. ii is true, unsurpassed in far.
reaching enterprise. skill. intelligence
and courage. by any others in the world.
But with the increasing amount Of our
com mnercisl tonnage in the aggregate. and
the larger size and improved equipmen,
Of the ships now constructed. a deficien
cy in the supply of reliable seamen be-
gins to be very seriously felt. The in.
convenience may, perhaps, be met. in
part. by due regulation for the introduc
ton, into our merchant ships. of indent
ed apprentices; which. while il woul,
afford useful and eligible occupation Il
numerous young men, would have ten
n st--