The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-12-09

to the grade of general officers, might be
some what extended with benefit to the pub.
lie.
Observance of the rule of seniority some
times leads, especially in times OF peace, to
the provision of officers who after merto-
rious, and even distinguished services, may
have been rendered by aye or infrmity in
capable of performing active duties, and
whose advancement therefore would tend
10 iniure the efficiency Of the army. Suita-
bic provision tor this class officers by the
creation of retired list would remedy the
evil, without wounding the just pride of
men, who, by past services, have established
a claim to high consideration. In com
mendinS this measure To the favorable con-
siderati IN of Congress, | would suggest that
the power of placing officers on the retiredI
list be limited to one year. The practical
operation of the measure would thus be
tested and if. after lapse of years, there
should be occasion TO renew the proposition.
it can be reproduced with any improvement
which experience may indicate.
The organization of the artillery into regi
ments is liable to obvious objections The
service of the artillery is that Of batteries,
and the organization of batteries into corps
of artillery would be more consistent with
the nature of their duties. A large part of
Of the troops now called artillery are and
have been on duty as infantry, the distinc-
ton between the two arms being nearly
nominal. The nominal artillery in our SER
vice is entirely disproportionate to the whole
force and greater than the wants of the
country demand. | therefore recommend
the discontinuance Of a distinction which
has no derivation either in the arms used
or the service expected to be performed.
T., NS,iI hn (nr
the increase of the army, have presented
these suggestions with regard to certain
measures OF uniformity. as the completion
OF system which would produce the hap
piest result from given expenditure, and
which hope may attract the early attention
and be deemed worthy of the approval Of
Congress.
The recommendation Of the Secretary of
tho Navy, having reference to more ample
provisions for the discipline and general i'm
lrovement in character OF the scamen, and
for the recognizing and gradual increase of
the navy, deem expedient, and worthy of
your favorable consideration. The princi-
plts which have controlled our policy in re-
iation TO the permanent military force by
sea and land, are sound and consistent with
the theory Of our system, and should by no
means be disregarded. By limiting the force
20 the objects particularly set forth In the
preceding part Of this message, we should
not overlook the present magnitude and pros
pective 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 Pacific coast stretching
from Mexico 10 the British possessions on
the north, teeming with wealth and enter
prise, and demanding the constant presence
Of ships of war.
The augmentation of the navy has not
kept pace with the duties properly assigned
10 it in time of peace, and is inadequate for
the large field Of its operations 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 system
for our national vessels recommended by the
Secretary Of the Navy.
The occurrence during the last few months
Of marine disasters of most tragic nature,
Involving great loss of human life, has pro-
duced intense emotion, sympathy, and sor-
row. 1t will be doubted whether these ca
lamitous events are wholly attributable to
thc necessarily inevitable dangers of the sea.
The merchants, mariners and ship builders
of the United States are, it is true, unsur-
passed in far reaching enterprise, skill, and
courage, by any Others in the world; but
e