The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-03

respect The governments OF the old world vein,
defence Our institutions II sSsy DO not excite ths
positive jealousy. are not the objects OF large share
tbsr esteem; and weakness may sooner later invite
balance Of power may SO expand to comprehend NO
simply foreign, but Atlantic Pacific and State rels
war; but a peace measure-a measure OF defence in
volvng grave question of commercial security and
'tiopai Independence; Negotiation and diplomacy
wM of brave meD, powerful and ready ter the conflict
nsno. W. sir, If ever is the aaspicuous time with
Ana M treasury to make investment than which
abuDdsnt found more national aud safe.
none can d mindful Of our large merchant mahn
La an no. 'nned by our hardy tars and brave coun
wneA, ~ncn an annoyance and terror to enc
tIynen wouia d commerce with terrible retaliation
MES ps vsrx .Den os of war TO meet in combat upor
the ocean the heavy gu in the proud cons ousness
cru zee nss ~. mucn 1ulates trade, emboldens en-
terpIiss and ne, YES the arm commerce. And while
by no means suggest the ph> full nations foser vet 4
e IIsa M some 1t the American c
zen, whether in the opulent enporiu. ~ sn =; a.;
or in the rursl retreats Ct the interior ed norts ~
adventurous spirit to traffic in the thrcnA AZ
strong, the obscurer ports of the BARI ia ~.
weak, should gather confidence and courage a energy
from the reflection that he belonged to . govsA r.
ecgnized by all as able promptly to avenge h. wrongs
and to vindcate bis RICH $.
In building the figaes directed BY the last Cens
much OF the seasoned material which had been prof.
IDENTIFY collected in the yardswas used in preference to
ruIchasing; thus hastening their completion with
would allow the Bureau Of Constru ction &c. has made
contracts for the delivery Of supply to be applied
to the construction rs class sloops Of whenever
Congress should order. The Me rimack at Boston,
The Wabash ut Philadelphia and the Minnesota at Wash
ipgton, have been launched The Niagara At New York.
and the Roanoke and Colorado at Portsmouth va will
be launched in few weeks The officers constructors
mechanics have have evnced Trustworthy zeal in striving
the npletcn of six steamers and have
thus far the admiration Of all who havs examined
these model specimens Of naval architecture. The
chipery equally in state Of readiness and the country
may exIec. fo mdable addition to the navy with
the most approved batteries.
Recent legislation ard the adoption Of naval sppren
tce system, exercising salutay influence in regard
to the enlistment of experienced and the proper
training Of American youth apprenticed to the govern
ment until they attain the age OF maturity.
Encouraging evidence has reached the
both officers and crew. Of the high appreciation OF ths
honorable authorized by act of the last
title to extra pay for early reenstment bu cherishss
the a. signal testimonial from his c'untry
archives Of his family and home and the sures
passport 10 In employment and hp hest wages
Although at the present date the demard for is
SO great in the merchant service that enments are
not desi ed, yet it is remarkable fact
for the Fix months ing the Of this here
were but 500 men ens'Sd, and foe the Elk months ion
me6iacly after lis passage there 816 enlisted
making difference IN favor of the service of 1920
have doubt however that other favorable circum
s'ances may have combined, yet The fact il worthy Of
r"te.
BY this large ion to the list of seamen the De-
wo Sgsea, several socps o.war and smaller vessels for
the b. me and distant stations des those destined tho
expediioo TO the Arctic. And this has been mpshed
500 at period when the largest naval powers in Europe
are csing unusual energy to procure sailors and
when our merchant marine present with much zeal The
conii olog attractions OF highest wages and shorter
CT uaes
Tie hope is INDUCED, with mu h confidence, by many
experier ced observers and no withdrawing pain
full end gloomy freboeings of disastrous
consequences trt the abolition OF punishment aog
gpe that by this humane act together with the recent
lInt dc md Lon1ar
OF the seamen, as class viii be improved by the in
creased wil gness ct the lsboing young of own
country TO serve VI Ger the flag.
with much satis inform you of the thus far
successful operation Of the naval apprentice system,
which have venured to adopt since adjournment Of
Congress 1he object In view the proper moral aud
nautlcsl trainit ot number of the youth OF
try, who exhibit evidences of fitness and ncln alton for
ssa-'ariDg life and thus gradually incorporate Into
the service body of men calculated to elevate tho
standard Of character give it vgor still
rss,er !, bii.y, 1ne inspire SIN greater confidence
very promptly became apprentices, with the consent Of
their parents or guardians The number Of pressing
number could hsve been received had the Depart
nent consider ed 1t prudent cautiously with the
.xyermsn and net hazard all by rashy accumuatiug in
restraint ef wholesome discipline. is contemplated
practicable to put the bark Release proper
don for the reception and training Ct many boys she
accommodate her size and general arrangement,
can be rendered peculiarly fit for this use.
Sine suitable person on each ship to whsh they are
:"
but useful branches OF education, when they not
more actively employed on the yarioussdu!ss which
and Undue their youthful minds with proper concep
tops of obedience DISCIPLINE They constitute about
enesws rhn q the cr.w Of zach vessel
the practical Of the apprentice system, Whites
thus in reply to verbal inquiries in respect to the
apprentice and otl boys irving beard flagship
Potomac, it a)rds than ordinary satisfaction to
bear testimony to their excellent conduct They to
have been we'll selected for their physical aud mental
andY all In tha Init
neceeary for raising the standard Of national marine
in ranner corresponding with the character Of our
people, object Of the highest Importance to our
future greatness. trust II may le bat beginning OF
ider of things in the Navy aud that the system will
he xttnded until our ships OF war are manned with
class Of that shall be conspicuous r their ,ergy
srd cheerful subor dioetcn well fr their devotion
TO the flag. viii III in ther domestic well naval
sLirg they will have learned t. love. The boys had
all bad come education and has been selected from
get the crew, who teaches them daily, aud who IL
supervised by Mr. Chase the chaplain of the Potomac to
whore comnensable zeal am most happy t. maze my
skr ow Judgements.
Leutensnt Comma nding Porter of the supply in the
Mediterranean thus addresses the Department:"T The
apprentice boys yen all wed me doirg WE'LL they
woik ali the sails the mzzen mast and compe favor
ably with the other stations thru ughout the ship In
yesr they will make good ordinary seauea" Lieu
tenant Porter further writes in relation to the eec.
The q" Act TO promote more Efficient discipline Of the
pavy,"-"A AS you will most likely wish to be Informed
te2tive to the Working q the discipline bill passed by the
lss Congress- beg leave to lay before you the result Of
~ am of the opinion that nothing more is wanted to
psce navy in the most perfect stare OF dsc pine
regards the men. hat with the prospect OF punish
mont bore them If they violate the regulations add the
heTc of reward by honorable discharge the best feel
ing seems to exist The duty i performed with allc,iiy
wbatey offences committed not Of serious
character ard only in three Instances have been obg
ed TO Tefort to summary court martial The are
allowed to 60 shore in every port and have always
with two EXCEPTIONS retuI ned perfectly sober and
clearly, showing vast Improvement in the moral cha
racter Of seamen."
again The recommendation heretofore often
pta'ed, of allowing the department to employ many
~ ten thousand seamen instead Of houss nd five
hundred, the number allowed and inconveniently
small particularly at this line when many will be
needed TO the figutes nearly completed; the
machinery Of which, In accordance with the contracts
must he tested at an early day.
ARCTIC EXPEDITION.
You are aware Of the hnmsne lesiasion Of Congress
directing the Secretary of the Navy TO provide and de-
spatch suitable naval other steamer and necessary
tender 10 the arctic for the purpos, of rescaing
afordirg relief to Passed Assistant Surgeon 4. H.
Kane of the United States Navy and the officers and
men vi der his command, prsvioed that such steamer
and tender shall be manned by volunteers from the navy
and others who may declsre their willingness to be