The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-09-24
Paw NJ Naval Offfcers.

Tho subject of increasing the pay Of the Navy,
and placing II on an equality with that of the
army, ought to engage the most prompt attention
Of Congress at the approaching session. If a for
eigner were to judge Of the comparative estimate
placed by the American People upon the Army
and Navy of the United States, By the amount Of
pay which the law gives to each, he would con-
cluds that the Navy was held in low esteem in this
country and that very little was expected Of it
. means Of national defence. 1t 10 unnecessary to
say that the very reverse Of this conjecture s the
truth-that the Navy is the main reliance Of the
country In any future war with the great powers
Of the EARTH and that 1t has won for 10 the past
q renown SURPRISING that Of even the Mistress of
the Seas. We fully appreciate the accomplish
msnts and chivalry OF cur army officers, and the
sallantry and efficiency Of our small military
force but except to suppress Indian disturbances,
10 bring such petty neighbors As Mexico to
their senses, to act nucleus to the volunteer
force in the event of great war, We have no need
Of al army at all. At all events, to pay it higher
than the Navy, is the most glaring exhibition Of
injustice and bad policy to be found in the COM
popsstion Of any class OF officers in any service.
What reason 10 there that the Commander In
Chief Of the Army should receive $lO,5oO more
than the senior Commodore Of the Navyf Why
should the I'd Lieutenant Of the Army receive one
thousand dollars more than the officer who is his
peer In the Navy There is no difference In cha
raeter, fidelity, competency; both have spent years
In preparing for their professional duties; both
are prompt, chivalrous. and equally ready to do
and die I'D their country. II there is any diffe-
renee In hardship, danger, and sacrifice of perso-
nal, social, and domestic and comfort, it is on
the part Of the naval officer. Except in the &C.
surrence, at long intervals, Of war, the Army Off
Ger 10 exposed to no: personal peril, has little ac
tive occupation, may be surrounded by his wife
and family, and enjoy all the comforts and refine
sments Of home and society. On the other hand
the whsls life OF the Naval officer il one of hazard
and privation. Whether In peace or war, he must
encounter the perils of the deep, pestilential elf
mates, arctic cold and tropic heat separated from
his wife and family for three, and sometimes four
years; and even his short leave Of absence at the
expiration Of this period, embittered by the
thought that he 10 soon again to be torn from all
his heart holds deari Arc these the men to be
Disseminated a0ains1 Il . service, which produ
ced the Decaturs, the Perrys, Stewards, Huile
Chauncsys, McDonoughs, Baiubridges, and host
Of other immortal names, who, for the first time
broke the spell Of British invncibility, upon the
deep, and spread the naval renown of America to
the ends Of the earth, to be put under the ban,
and treated by parental government az q sort Of
e"youngsr son" In comparison with the Army.
Such course ii alike ungrateful, unjust and
unwiss. The Naval power of America is its right
arm and its main stay 1t is the only branch of mill
tary service which can be increased, aud male
ssAaoient without danger to liberty. 1t ias pecu
liar claims the Government both for the past and
faturs, but all 1t asks 10 equality and IL onght not
10 b content with less.