The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-06

ful aud unsought duty and om the and dill
with which they searched the records OF the depart
uent deem il but Of simple justice express my
conviction that they acuated by elevated consdera-
ous and that their aim truth, ineartaiity and the
good OF the service Aud although from the liability OF
err there he discovered here and there mis-
lake Of Judgment have abiding conviction that his
tory viii prove that this work Of reform reinvgoraed the
payy-mpared 10 robust and atve hsalth-inspired
the hearts OF the young aud gallant officers hitherto doo
ing with hopeless dependency with fresh energy and con-
ttneBt with the the thoughtess and the
incident 10 quit The hannts Of deness and seek the path
duty leading hoaor and caused the country TO
pose with The pride and confidence Ia the belief Of the
insnehiii,y OF this right OF defence have no hes
ation but take much pleasure in saying that have al
ready witnessed its happy effect In the impulse and
readiness for duty and felt at the department And
s though henat reported incompetent seems large and
may well attract attention. 10 that circumstance Of itself
sufficient justify reflection upon board who were
bound under the law 10 make Careful examination and
report The OF all whom they adudge incompetent
every grade, TO do their whole duty promptly and eff
gently ashore and aaoatf II but small number Of Off
had become inefficient would the Secretaries OF the
Navy for the last fifteen have again and again urged
with almost pestnacous zeal that stringent
OF reform indispensable 10 the navy from impend
ing ruin Would committees session after session. have
reported and pressed such measures? Would grave
beers have arisen they did in Congress- and have
ously moved TO abolish the navy and begin again il but
small defect exised2 Would the Senate every session.
for years, have, almost with unanimy, passed the
for relieving the service Of the inefficient and for
imparting vgor and health by promoting able and brave
officers before uge had crippled their energies and impaired
and village have Illuminated it's thanders for reform and
have eemcd with articles Of laudaon and approval when
the measure prevailed If but small number Of the inca
pable "bocked up the path of promotion? Or had ii be-
manifest 10 ALTO statesman aud citizenthat
thing radical thorough, and searching be admins
tered 70 rescue he navy from !hs danxers which i%pered
The regulations prescribed which have hsrstoors been
published the correspondence with and the report of tie
board, accompany this report. III
s&s INCREASE or THE NAVY. s
Subsequent reflection, and comparative estimate of the
relative strength OF the naval forces OF other powers have
but served to confirm me In the policy urged heretofore Of
gradually bur steadily increasing the Of navy
solemn conviction Of It's importance il my apology for
reitsrasng, with earnest solictude my
the last Congress to order the construction OF addition
al numtcr o. steam soops-ofwar, carrying each about
twenty guns OF the best modern Improvement requiring
dranght vt mol than eighteen feet aud thereby being
capable Of entering every southern well northern port
OF amy magnud Vessels vi this have attracted much
consideration and acquired much character during the
cent conflicts Europe This addition the increase
wisely ordered by the last Congress would augment our
marine to point forming nucleus which, sustained by
the merchant marine would aid largely to protect our
country IN sudden emergency contribute much to
estimation abroad and our confidence Ut home.
The facility with which inyincibe volunteer army
may be raised from countrymen trained to the use Of
arms from boyhood may well justify the settled policy Of
having but small standing army. This remarkable fca
ture in the character our people has wrunv from those
even by no means partial to institutions the reluctant
admission that the Americans the warke people
-"
caused some OF oar legislators become uninul of the
equally wesiied fact that ships capable Of resisting
and con,ending sih vesselsofwar require much time
eonsrt H'a Frory that materials from the
not stuart up IN our shpya ards BY magic ike soldiers
the drum tap 10 the conquest Of Mexico which Illustrated
50 br''iiniy The reliability OF volunteers it should be
forgotten That tnere naval force Of the enemy
annoy our commerce attack coast disturb trade
WIN even apprehension of danger.
r,en.e Ia tue report 81 the Bureau Of Construction
nc, VIII exitit the number 0f vessels condition for
Jul servi,e drm II my duty candidy to express the
opinion that our navy is not only dminutive To he
expected 10 contend fairly with that Of other respectable
nations, is insufficient give adequate protection
commerce, but s PROFESSIONALLY Jeeis coaoad The
Eaters y our coast Indeed, when comparison is
faiii, Instituted Of what would bc the demands for
vice upon our navy in the Of with the de-
niand upon II in the OF 1872 my opinion 10 that il
wi DC found that our country 10 better prepared
Tor sudden emergency than Vt then The aggregate
tonnage OF the United States IN 1872 Sc 95ths
tons tor the fiscal ending June 30 1855 Il WINS
ozi2ooo lo-95ths tons. In 1912 whole to be
protected extended along the Atlantic merely from Maine
70 Florida Since then not only have Florida and Texas
been added but Pacific Coast bordering nev country
tening with populations and wealth. Thus sir, it sI-
pears mat the navy will have millions OF
70 project and thousands Of miles defend
could not would disxuise the ruth that re-
Specialize navy must necessarily involve large expenditures
but y Is equally lroc that without naval strength
inohtas war with any nation with powerful marine
would IN the seizure OF rich and valuable csrgoes ia the
destruction Of fleets Of merchantmen, and In plunaerng de-
'encei'ss io,nts along the coast more more
,nan squadron OF iuviBcibc men-ofwar
Recent occurrences in Europe demonstrate the folly Of
relying upon navy feeble mpotent for either
sauit on defence that policy required it be carefully
sunk 70 avoid eurchng the enemy. The United States
oauno' 10y sneh policy, maintain rank and command
spect IRE governments OF the Old World vieing
WIN eath other ia nngnying and perfsctnR this
oec Our insttutions III they do excite their
i've JEALOUSY the objects Of large share OF their
esteem and weakness may later invite the i'm
reference OF those whose ideas Of regulating The balance
power may so expand A. TO comprehend simply
foreign, but Atlantic Pacific, and State relations
regard the steady increase OF naval strength mar
out peace OF defence involving grave
Questions OF CONNER a security and national Independence
Hgoto,on dHddpoosdcy rH be srhdBsed before mad.
spo nat'on Of brere powerful and ready for TIE
p@1 And now, sir fever IL the suspicious time, with
abundant treasury, make an investment than which
none tan he found more national and safe.
am not unmindful OF large merchant marine
which when manned BY our hardy tara and brave
ymen, would be an and terror enemies
whiting their commerce with terrible retaliation But
must have shps-ofwsr TO meet In combat upon the
ocean the heavy guns and trained Of power
fu foe There 10 much In the proud Consciousness Of
national strength that stimulates trade emboldcns
prise, and nerves the Of commerce. And while by
no means suggest the policy the necessity OF large
naval force powerful naons foster yet II de-
eirsble, and atsinabc too, that the American citizen
whether In the opulent emporiums along the coast ia
the rural etrea OF the Interior borne In his adventu
spirit traffic In the hrongcd ports of the strong or
gather confidence aud courage and energy from the rccc
ton that he belongs 70 recognised by all
able promptly TO avenge bis wrongs and to vindcste bis
rights. 1855 ftHs
In building the fgases directed by the last Congress
much of the seasoned material which bad bern providenty
collected 10 The yards was used In preference 10 purchasing
thus Fastening their completion with choice timber In
tha fnnd ali