New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-07
svv,LrTY I'm TIE NAVY.

u
I'm times of peace ard inactivity the defects
of our system of naval promotion, by seniority,
are less apparent, but its fatal operation
is seen during the exigencies Of war; Great
crises cannot be met by mere maturity and
experience. Energy, activity, originality,
enterprise, are then Indispensable to success.
1t is a well established fact that after GER
tain age, most naval officers fell in the latter
essentials, becoming timid in navigation, afraid
of land, afraid OF carrying sail, aud lacking the
vigilance, invention, yenturesome dariDg aud
dash, by which brilliant achievements are con-
ceiyed and executed.
Examining the Navy Register, we find that
the youngest captain is so years Of age; the
Youngest commander is IS. Those officers to
whom, during our last war with Great Britain,
Congress voted thanks for gallant conduct and
brilliant actions were young men. Perry, when
he achieved Worldwide fame as tie hero OF
Lake Erie, was but %; McDonougb. when he
won on Lake Ch'nplain a similar distinction
for himself, was only % years Of age; Decatur,
when he appalled, the TrpOlitans by his chival'
rous audaeity ia destroying the Philadelphia,
thus earning the rank of post-cap,ain was but
%, and only IS when in command Of the United
States, and captor OF the famous Macedonian;
Hull was 81 when Io commanded the COnsti-
tuition, and captured the British frigate Guer-
riere; Banbridge was 81 when, with the same
yessel--the Constitution, he took the Java;
Lawrence was, at 81, captain Of the Hornet,
with which be won prize in the British sloop-
of-war Peacock; Elliot was 10 wien be COM
PEELED tie Detroit aud Caledonia to surrender;
Burroughs, at %, commanded tbe Enterprise
and captured the Boxer; Warrington, com.
nander OF the Peacock, was 81 when lie took
the Epervier; Blskely commander of the Wasp
was 80 when the Reindeer, the Avon and the
Atlanta surrendered to him; Bljdls, comman-
der Of the Hornet was 30 when he captured
the Penguin. These instances might be multi
piled, but further enumeration is perhaps need
less; all the ections in which these young he
rOes distinguished Themselves were surprises TO
old commanders auG TO the old world, and 90
lar to prove that fresh, original, unirammeled
minds are alone equal to unprecedented occa-
siOns.
The majority Of eminent leaders in other
great nations gained their position early in lie.
The juvenile triumpha of EDgland's youthful
Prime Ministers, BOngbroke aud Pitt, ana
the glory of her young Admiral Nelson, are
prOverbal. Don John Of Austria, Castor de
IOx, Gustayus AdolpbUs, Give, BaoDier, Ns-
poleOn, and many other remarkable warriors.
rad achieved greatness almost before they had
boards, much more before they were gray.
Our Government has eyinced on appreciation
Of youth ami activity, combined with practical
Of the Army George b. Mcclellan. who has
not yet attained his thirty.6th year. Why
should not the same practice prevail in the
of commanders for important naval
expeditions On the list of Lieulenants in the
Navy are to 0e found the names of many
officers whOse ages much exceed that of Gen.
and whose practical knowledge OF
their profession has been acquired by sea
service equal to that of many Of those on the
lists of Captains aud Commanders. The Navy
Department has, during the present troubles,
already removed from important commands
several ancient Captains, for, as it is fair TO
presume, want of activity and eoergy, and hns
gone down the list for younger men. After this
abandonment of the rule of seniority, why should
not the Government advance a step further
in giving preference to mental freshness, en-
terprising ambition, and physical superiority,
so necessary to success Tha. so young
and vital country as this should be found 3D.
herring to regime so obsolete Is absurd, and
it is our right and duty to demand for leaders
Iaen in the prime Of life, with minds and
physique in full vigor, distinguished for pro-
fcssiona excellence aud the evidences Of original
and powerful capacity.