The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-14
The National Dtfences- ArDi ament OF our
Forts ard War SHIPS.

The reports OF the Secretary Of War and Sec
| reisry Of the Navy disclose some singular facts
| In both the army and navy our artillery and ar
| tilery praiice would seem to be greatly wanting
| TIE Secretary Of War asks for ornaments for
forts, improvements in arms. and supplies Of am
muniiion. He says, at the present rate of appro-
priation il would take forty years to supply each
mounted piece row on our forts with a hundred
rounds of ammunition; and rs dnring that time
many more will be built, the supply at the end of
| that r.riod will be comparatively as inadequate
~ II il now Here Il a good prospect, in an age OF
| tleworld when diplomatic imbroglio, awithdraw-
al OF ministers and a declaration OF war succeed
each other within the period Of six months
The Secretary says the sea coast Notifications
! are progressing. hut that much remains to be
done before many Of the most important forts will
| ~ efficient. IL rcnews his recommendation f)r
the csiahishm, Mt Of national foundry for cast
ing guns.
How does this state Of things compare with
Greet BRITAIN A visit to the Royal Arsenal at
| Woolnich will at once convince On American of
the vast difference there is in the importance at
| iachcd TO these matters In the two countries.
| Cannon Of various calibre ard forms literally
cover many acres, and the pyramids Of balls, Of
all sizes. remind one Of ilc grand achievement Of
| Chops There are generally on hand about
| q 800 cannon, three million cannon balls, and
| sixl- million rounds Of ball cartridge for small
arms. We al know how much money John Bull
srsrds in war and war implements; but is II not
evident that we err on the side of false economy
| The bombardmc Mt Of single city by a hostile
/ fouadron would cause the destruction of more
i property then would suffice TO put an armament
\ on every fertilization in the land. We talk VI
| ID, facility with which our merchant ships can be
turned into war vessels, and an armament put on
board: hut the fact Is that for o navy Of any DIE
| We have no cannon, and all the private and pub
lie foubdrits In the United States could not east
sufficient number in two years. This is but q
cory commentary on the maxim In time Of
peace prepare for war;"
The Secretary Of the Navy has some most SEN
siblc i,markso on artillery practice, and the neses
siiy for ID as regular exercise by both officers
End men,
or national ship msy attract admiration fcr The
wnb shi0h sbo eides he water; her may be pat
rps Ct discipline her ofoers The bravcsi and best
re-, gl s viii avail ssnsh IN tie dread hour OF battle
sitr her euns rsiGte ~ be faithful
MANAGED by those who unaught 10 practical gunnery
adepts in the use OF the rife AMI he
set from their boyhood, and when thrown hto The Geld,
matte hov suddenly, they are stDul, and iheir air,
IL fatal N that Of the trained solder OF me
ease very different IN regard 10 The management of
cauncn weighing tfcusnds Of pounds, upon dstur bed
{ stn.
N TIE British service they hsve ther gunuery practice
I stiy, where oncers aud trained to toe OF
rsrtu th,roDfhy end ~ regularly a. tire ,oiiier
6rst in the army We have ihus far yeies prss.
tC,ng ct sea, seecns FROM tte Cor captains Of
Guns thuge WHO from experience be sonnd cited
y suAgug indeed. that notwithstanding the iupor.
srte ~ mlestnF thiough the service thorough
srovcto ~ sunncry no system for that purpose has
| ever tsn soorsed
Ought not Congress to take thcsc thisgs into
consideration
! sIrcb attention IL also given to the calibre