The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-12-05
PRICE LONE CENT

= TACT that legislation was necessary for the rcor
D Ranization, upon uniform basis, of the mliti,
ot tho country. Some general plan should b,
provide by Congress in aid Of tho states, b,
which our militia can be organized, armed ant
disciplined, and made effective at any momen
for immediate service. IL thoroughly trainet
IN time Ct peace, when occasion demands, II
nay he converted into vast army, confident
IN its diacipltno and unconquerahlo in il patriot
ism. In the absence Of any general system Of
organ iaton, upwards Of 700 600 men have al
ready been brought into the ftli and, In view
| OF tho alacrity ard enthusiasm that have been
displayed, do not hc,itatc to express the be-
| lief that no combination of events can arise In
which this country will not bc able not only 10
protect itself hut. contrary to 3 policy. which
Is peace with all tho world, 60 enter ripou ,f,.
grc~iNc Operations against any power that may
inicrmece lc with our domestic affairs, 4 COM
mltt'e should bc appointed by Congress, with
authority 10 sit during the recess TO dcyiso and
rstort : plan for 'ho general organization of
Tho Militia of the Tuit,i States
| u Is OF great Importance that Immediate At.
| I ulion should bc given 80 tho condition oC our
| hticui'us upon the s,ahoud ,rd the hkcs
| I'd uttn our exposed frontiers They should at
| 60 j" placed In perfect condition :of .ucccss-
| h defense. Algrcsti II, are .clilm maia upon
| nh ion ever r, ady tn dcfcul It's honor, ..d to
| "i,l insults anil W. shout how ~ tho
| "cili that while engaged in Iu,li,r; li.tur.
| N,'s ~ h, me We are Hblo tn prb'cc' ,Htr. clyc,
| 'rHinNt G'n'! FROM abroad
tuhc'ily Rec ommrrd that immediate provi-
lc made for increasing, tho corps of ca irta to
/ the gfca ~, capacity Of the Military Ac n, nv.
| Ihcte are now only i02 cadets AT that important
in'tituii,n. am .-urcd by the Supcrintcn.
dent that 400 can at present Ge accommodated,
| ana that, with very irihing additional cx-
! ensc, this numhcr nav he Increased 10 five
| hundred. ], is not necessary, at this late day,
| 70 speak Of the value OF educated soldiers
| While, In time Of war or rebel ion, We must over
Nppgul mainly pttr p,iIitt, AL
tc,rs, We shall always reel thoroughly trained
CihCcis. Two classes having been graduated
during the present year, in orlcr that tho sar-
ice might have the benefit of their military
cducation had hoped that Congress, at its cx-
IRA session, would authorize an increase Of the
number. Having failed to do So | trust that
at the approaching session an increase will be
authorized, and that tho selection of cadets will
ho limited exclusively to those states which, co.
operating cordially with the government, have
brought their forces into the field 70 aid in the
| maintenance of its authority.
recommend that the system of promotions
which prevails IN the regular service 10 applied
10 the volunteer forces in the respective states
The advancement of merit should I've tho loal-
ing principle In all promotions, and tho voluii-
tecr soldier should bc given TO understand that
| preiermcnt will bo the sure reward Of intelli-
| gcncc, fidelity, and distinguished service.
Tho course above recommended has boon pur-
sued by this department, and II Is my intention,
so far as in my power to continue a systom
which cannot fail to have a most benolciaI effect
upon the entire service.
BY existing laws aud rcgulat ions an oilicor of
tho regular army ranks an officer Of volunteers
ct the saIno grade, notwithstanding tho COM
mission Of the latter may be Of antccodont dats.
In my Judgment, this practice has a tendency
TO repress the ardor and to limit the opportuni-
~ for distinction Of volunteer officers and
char 80 should bs made by which seniority of
commits ion should confer the right Of command.
submit for reflection the question, whether
| the distinction between regulars and volunteer,
| which now exists, should bo permitted to con.
tnue. The efficiency Of the army, Il 6G""---
to me, mgh' cSe Gs grand grand army oil ,no not been
| A1Iute the" W. .1--.sujsr. army mas NV
! ted, although a large number OF men have en-
| tered this branch Of tho service. While II Is
| admitted that soldiers in the regular army, un-
| der the control of officers OF military education
| and exporieucc, are generally better carcd Tor
than those in the volunteer service, IL s certain
| that the popular preference Is largely given 70
| the latter. Young men oNidchtly prefer 10 en-
ter corps of officers with their friends and ac-
| uuaintunccs, und besides the bounty granted to
| volunteers in most of the states, inducements
| arc often directly offered 10 them by those
| whose commissions deperd upon thelr
success in obtaining recruits, In an
| dition. the volunteer IA allowed to draw
His full nav of sI3 per month, while hy law
A. per month are deducted from the pay OF
the regular to be returned to him at the end oil
bis term of service. In my judgment, thus law
should bo repealed, and the regular soldier al
lowed 10 receive his full pay when due' ne
ahould alao receive either n reasonable bounty
upon enlistng or an advance of S2O oithe 800
| which A law of the last session OF Congress
grants 20 regulars and volunteers on tho ox.
piraiion of their periods of service. ms would
doubtless stimulate enlistment, s II would en-
able the soldier to make some provision Tor
those dependent upon him for support urtli ho
| receivea hia nav.
! Additional railroad facilities are suggested
| between Baltimore and Washington, at Annapo'
| liz, and in the City Of Washington.
o Under an appropriation granted Tor that pur
. nose at the last session OF Congress, Tele
n graphic Bureau was established, and has bee
!. iound of the greatest service In our military o2
!. erations. s57 miles of telegraph line have bee
f already built and put In operation.
: On the 1st of the present month llcutonhh
# General Winfield Scott voluntarily relinquishe'
q hi, birh command a. Gcneral-in.C Chiei OF IN
: American Army. lie had faithfully and gal
It iantly served his country ior upwards OF hall
# century, and the glory Of his achievements m
It given additional lustrc to the brghtest page
II our national annals. Thc affectionH OF CRATE
IT | rll peopls followed him into his retlremtn n
D. Tie President imm, diatcly conferred the con
ie mauo of the army upon the officer next IN Iani
l- Fortunately for the country, MAJOR Gcher'
n, Mcclellan had proved himsclf equal to eyer
n. situation in which his great talents bad nee
10 | allied into exercise. Ills brilliant achieN'
.. ments in Western Virginia, thu untiring enc
a. ,,y and consummate ability he has displayed
,or | Tie organization and discipline OF an ontlre
ng new army, have Justly won for HIM the con
he lcucc and applause Of tho troops anu oil
ny | nation. , -. T..
in Extraordinary labor, energy and talent ha
ia | h,sn required Oi the various bureaus OF thlS
inf partment to provide for the wants Of our L
NJ. mcnse army. While errors may have been
nj, cnsionally committed by subordinhtes, ana "h
.ho extrayaQant prices have undoubtedly III s'l
m cases controlled by haste and the pressure OF
nid oyents. been paid for supplies, It Is wi
i'm i,rcat Qualification that refer to the econom
il sJninIstration of affairs displayed IN tho Narl'
IN Ir'nrhes Of the service. Our forces had
'r ori, tn bo umeI clothed and fed, but had to
mi sniIenly proyided with means Of transporlat
| IN an extent heretofore unparalleled VIM
70 Lciiye that there il no army in the worll Dei
or uroyided for in every respect than our reSeI
Pa. sud volunteers | candidly think thal no 10
am. 40 large. and so well equipped, was ever pu
the field in 20 short space oil time AZ 70 81
in Will it Is my intention TO preserve
.ico .rri,tcst economy and accountability, u
,bs tbn last dollar should be expended ani the
rus- man should he armed 20 bring TINS uhhoiy
the Lollion TO a speedy and permanent close.
may The geographical position OF the meIioPo'
the nation, mcnac,d by the rebels ana rei'
,,jst tn he dcfendcd hy thousands Of our troops
an,, d,cos me 10 suggest for consideration the
tho | n,ioty and cxpediency OF reconslructloh
. J P,,,r3ari,s of the stat, of Delaware, mary
2 - | - Vir,,;r;, Wisdom and truc staieslnal