Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-05
NAVAL REFORM.

and reSOlutely executed the measures Whlcn
Congress devised to purify and elevate the
character of tho Navy. 1t i+nO disparagement
to the great majority of the Naval officers, and
no evidence of want of confidence in this branch
of the National serv;es, TO say that Congress
only expressed the public sentiment when il
ordered the Retiring Board. So, when it was
supposed that injustice might have been un-
willingly done TO meritorious men, Congress
has with great prOmptneSS offered a remedy in
the new Courts of Inquiry.-a measure in
which the late Secretary most cordially ac-
auiesced, as il would only give perfection and
permanency to the vital reform which he had
Instituted
In the deep interest felt in the character of
the officers, the public should not lose sight of
other important matters which the Secretary
has 30 wisely brought before the country. The
Apprentice system should be cherished and
watched and guarded and improved and per-
severed in, till our ships-Of-war are filled with
American soamen, of intelligence and burning
patriotism.
But there Is one matter of which We have
spoken heretofore, and which VIC desire to
bring to the particular notice of those who are
anxious for increased efficiency in all branches
Of the naval service. We refer to the recon-
mendatiOn of the late Secretary that hereafter,
fhe cruises of orr NATIONAL ships ShOneIa con-
HHWe only tirO years.
To those who have not thought carefully on
this subject, it may at first seem that the Sec
ratary had principally in view the comfort of
the men and officers, in such a recommendation.
Doubtless the measure would vastly augment
the comfort of the service, and render il much
more attractive to all. But il would be n COM
fort which would bring with it the very eff
cheney which all desire 20 see. If it were
settled principle that evey ship of war would
end its cruise in two years, Extraordinary cir
eumstances of course excepted,) many happy
consequences would result
IL rrOHld instantly increase the nn1.ber of
Sf1BiSH.
Three years is long time to be imprisoned
within the wooden walls of a man-Of-war.
Jack understands it, and feels it. Hence, as
n general rule, men do not enlist for such
cruises unless they are in a state bordering on
desperation. 1t Is the last thing and often the
only thing they can do. Let it he known that
IN the American Navy men would be promptly
and eheerfully restored % their freedom at the
end of two years, and the number of enlistments
would be quadrupled without difficulty.
SHeA 0 measure, too, tc0HId Improve the
moral character of SsanteH- Three years alb
senee ahenstes man from his country, separ
ates him from the sacred associations fhis home
and when II is repeated over and over again in
the circumstances ordinarily surrounding
sailor, almost necessarily makes him, like Cain,
a yagabOnd on the face of the earth" Sailors
scarcely ever marry. Indeed, marriage is dis
cOuntenanced by their superiOrs and employers.
They say, d" what right has man to have fami-
ly when his occupation must exile him from his
home three and four years at time" True
wisdom on the part of the government will lead
them 10 encourage every man to marry. and
surround himself with all the good influences of
home There is no tie like this to bind a
man % his country, and no memory like that Of
wife and children to stir mans heart in the
day Of battle, or protect him from the power Of
temptations assaiing him in every port. Next
20 religion itself do we consider the family re-
latlOn IN Its power over men, and ii is to be
hoped that our Government will take away
every obstacle to the formation of such sacred
ties. As 1t Is now. the man who, more than
all others, needs such influences, is deprived
VI them Ii needs scarcely to be added that
improvement IN this one particular would of
Itself lay foundation for many other virtues
Ot the most desirable character
And the same principle applies TO the officers,
u a certain extent They are educated men,
generally Of the first families Of the nation, and
IN all our past history have proved themselves
gallant and true, and worthy Of the confidence
rePused in them. The country has always
been proud OF the Navy, and thousands are in
elined to cherish it, though they may not dis
tlnetly see lts necessity in these piping times
Ot peace. But with all their excellencies
naval officers are but men, and il was not sur
Prising u those who understood the nature of
the service required Of them, to find the - Re-
tlring Board with its hands so full Of " vic
TINS Some were judged worthy Of decapita-
tion on account Of their morals. Doubtless the
Judgment was just. But il should never be for
gotten that many brave and honorable man
has fallen n victim To his long separation from
home influences. and in fact from most Of the
good and mighty restraints which bind US down
To virtue How different would have been the
character and position of the Navy If short
cruises lnd brOu rhf rbau, haaL
two to their friends and their parents, their sis
ters or families
Others have been retired for ineficiency in sea
service The fact is, as we understand that
not few had contrived in various WAYS 10 shirk
the active service of sea life so that it required
no llteie tact and energy to officer the ships.
Ihe Coast Survey. the National Observatory
and the Navy Yards, have never lacked men.
Indeed, the Coast Survey, though full Of danger,
and requiring the best talent and energy as
well as seamenShip, is 20 much preferred by Of
heers, that 20 drive them from it TO long cruises
II has been determined, We believe, not to con.
slider II any longer as sea SSyViee. Hence, when
tne late Board came together and looked over
The hles vi the Navy Department, they found a
long list Of names OF officers who had been ex-
eused from sea service At their own request,
ana who, according to their own statements and
tnc eeIuhcates I'm some cases we suppOse) of
thelr physicians, were not fitted for the hard
'iA VI lnlee years or four years exile
Now We think that such a course on the mart of
otncers was not only natural, but consistent
WIN high honor. The service in each Of the
departments mentioned above, is of the greatest
national Importance, and happy is the man who
can employ in them his best powers for his
country and still enjoy the privilege of the So
eiety of his friends
II Is indeed true that rigid Interpretation
OF the duties OF the service requires a man 10
meet all It's contingencies and srony;b;I;,;o,.
and doubtless every honorable and conscien
tous man will shrink from all misrepresenta-
ton OF his own defects. But the question for a
wise government to ask is, What IS TIE re1,s,fz
JoI aa eT'Sf'"S sU'fI How shall sea service be
rendered more attractive One mode. certainly
D. higher rate Of pay. Let every officer h..
certain that he will receive two or three or even
four per cent on his present pay for every year
vi sea service, AMI one powerful indueement is
Instantly created to perform one Of the very
hardest services demanded Of any public ser
want This Is understood to have been the prin-