The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-10
BREvET III THE ARMY.

BREVEI IN THE ARMY
~ he Editor n he Uaioa
The report Of the Secretary OF War OF LIST December
1859, contains recommendation that law should be
passed authorizing the President 10 confer the breyet OF
second Lieutenant meritorioas non-commissoned OH
GERS Impressed with its importance less than its nov
city have been amazed that il has been permitted
to pass without comment In my Judgment more vaua-
bic suggestion has been made 10 the public for long
time That il win ultimately prevail is not to be Doubted
for II belongs class Of thoughts that ultimately vim
dictate themselves and establish their own triumph
1t Is not to be denied that posrt dissipation and dspar
recruit the rank and file Of regular army The mo-
tiyes that determine in the choice of
as particular bias indicating natural aptitude for Ger
avocaon consideration OF their suliableness for
another grounded in deliberate survey of their
own character taste and etncation-hese are all silent
when the soldier enlsts Ambition pride, hope, the pros
pect Of providing comfortable maintenance for his n
~ raising his children 10 condition better than his
ownthese the motives that stimulate other and IN
sure advancement in life operate not him How then
he be other than maehiRef And ought not a
private soldier be something more2 With some II Is
maxim that make perfect soldier he must be re-
duced 10 perfect machine. Like many another gray
haired MAXIM IL is aphorism of folly and not OF Wis
dom The soldiers of Cromwell, Of Napoleon, and of
revelation exposed it, The scheme of the Secretary
OF War introduces into the ranks of the army the motives
that nerve to labor in other pursuits.
Ii is equally obvious that the efficiency OF the army in
the character Of its officers less than IN that of lis sol
ders would increased by the adoption of the proposed
measure.
The cadets for West Point general rule selected
from what styled the higher classes OF society occa
sonaly representative from the mddlipg ranks is to be
found hu, rarely ever does the child Of absolute OBJ
security find patron introduce him TO the advantages
OF the Military Academy H. them appears that but very
small portion Of the community represented by the OFF,
Of army and, in this respect it is singular.
Every class society is represented in every other profess
and business in this country the highest positions in
them challenging the competition OF all. Law medicine,
divinity commerce. politics, natural science letters, each
and all sending their roots in every direction draw their
support and nourishnent from every strata of society
They levy contributions without distinction Of high
low rich poor and TO- assimate With and in
corporate into themselves the entire material in the com
munity adapted TO their respective requirements
Unless military genius be exception to the general
rule that Providence distributes with impartial hand
the natural gifts and traits of character it would seem to
require logic establish that COMFORTS equally with
The soundest dictates wisdom and the genius Of
country that the mode by which these professions
have built up their glory should be applied to the military
art.
Believing that all the benefits the government has be-
should be distributed equally possible among
all citizens and that that government will be wisest and
strongest whose wisdom and strength gathered from
the widest popular area and that community the most
prosperous in which the largest number Of citizens
abled contribute from their peculiar gifts and tai
the stock Of those things that make up the
wealth, power intelligence and grandeur of people
read this recommendation of the Secretary Of War with
peculiar pleasure.
1t recently recalled my recollection by order
OF the Queen Of England who has taken the suggestion
Col Davis and applied it to her army This will sug
ges different reflections different minds To the phan-
crossing only for ourselves but for the world and that
wise institutions and maxims will gradually penetrate
governments and peoples the most different and
from
The recommendation Of the Secretary appeared in De-
cember 1858, in the following words
at is recommended that the President be authorized
under regulations be established by law confer the
breve OF second lieutenant upon such meritorous
commissioned officers may by examination before an
army board be found qualified for the duties of commits
stoned officers and to Gil certain portion of the vacancies
which in that grade authorized by law,
by attaching such non-commssioned officers snpernu
meraries the army according their breye aud
promoted cadets under like circumstances are
One year later the following paragraph appears in the
London Express:
@TnE FIFTH OF NoysanTR-The fifth OF November viii
be eventfnl for the future history Of the British
army. With just OF the intelligence and courage
Of that grade of soldiers which said fight under
the cold shade of arstocrae her Majesty has called upon
Lord Raglan to recommend sergeant reg
ment under his command to be promoted cornetcy
sgncy. When the recommendation has been confirmed
the commissions 10 date from the 9Th of November
Instances have been known of men fighting their way in
the British army up from the ranks a commission, but
before in such Wholesale fashion II is the old kngly
practice renewed of creating knights upon the field of vic
tory. This grace will add TO the valor of British
soldiers 1t will supply with officers of stcrner sin
than we have hitherto been accustomed 10; il viii raise
the emulation of the officers favored of fortune The
promotion Of these brave is the reform bill of the
British army-it will inevitably be followed by other
equally important ameoratous. The effects of this step
not only the English army but the English people
ncacuabe 1t Is The greatest victory for the popular
eause that can be won during the war
CITIZEN
THs REFORMING MAYOR or NEW YoaK--Thc new city