Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-06

10 the pension fund and invested, the interest
of which isia more tsdn pay all Gs naval pen.
sionJ deeruin0 from his icdr.
The average expenses of the navy for the
four fiscal years is SO, ,1C1, ,sl3 in inflated cur.
rency; and during this period, and included in
this expenditure is the creation OF this vast
navy, which has gone nolselessly forward with
the great operations of war. or the uniform
success Of the navy every loyal heart Is proud.
All through tho darkest hours of our stupen-
dous contest, whou despair brooded over our
land, the electric light of 4 naval victory came
out OF the blackest cloud, shedding It's bright
rays over the whole land and inspiring the
Government and armies with new hope, and
encouraging all to renewed energies-hrst, al
Hatteras; second, at Port Royal; third, In
Chesapeake Bay, (the Monitor and Merrimac;) D
fourth, at New orleans; hfth, at Fort Henry;
sixth, ct Arkansas Post; seventh, at New
Berne, Capture Of the Roanake;) eighth, cap
ture Of the Atlanta; ninth, naval battle between
the Kearsarge and pirate Alabama, and sink.
ing Of the latter within sight of the imperial
palace of Napoleon III; tenth, reduction and
capture OF the forts in Mobile Bay, eleventh
dOStructioRf the iron-clad Abemnrle at Ply
mouth w Nth, capture of the pirate FlOridai
thirteenth, capture of Plymouth, N. C.-and a
series of minor victories, without single de.
feat and no fatal repulse.
This is brief record OF victories as remark
able as the creation Of tho vessels and the or.
ganlzation of the forces to WELD them 50 sue
ccssfully.
There Is another work not less credtable TO
the sagacity and ability of Mr.. welles. We
refer to the blockade. A coast Is held 0re7ter
1.dH he ocean coast Of all Europe, and the dis
tsnce Of the farthest point from Washington
is Eve hundred miles farther than Liverpool is
from New York The interior waters OF the
great West, upon which, In so many hard
fought battles, the sailors have emulated their
salt water brethren, are equal 10 all the mari.
gable OdtGrS Of he globe, and here the same in.
variable success has attended the operations Of
the navy.
The civil administration OF SIR. Welles nd
the recommendations that he has presented at
hiblt an entire acquaintance with the subject
and the pressing wants of the service. Honor
able retirement for service has been established;
increase Of grades; defined rank with the army;
creation Of admirals; promotion for dlstln-
guished acts without regard to seniority; reyis-
ion of the Articles of War and prize law estab-
llshmeut Of two new bureaus; destruction Of
the rotten system OF navy agencies; introduc-
ton Of iron-clad vessels, torpedo boats and tor
pedoes; change Of naval vessels from sailing
craft, and auxiliary steam to the new models Of
full power; re-establlshment Of naval appren-
ticeship system, with recommendation that
one-half of all the midshlpmen sent to the
naval school shall be taken from these enlisted
boys; that the highest ranks and honors, q
proper thing to do in republic, shall be open
to all enlist ed persons; abolishment Of the grog
ration to officers and men; proposal OF vital
Importance to the navy, that midshipmen shal
be taught to perform the duties of engine dri.
vers; and, finally, a subject that the Secretary
and President have constantly and perslstently
presented is the establishment of an iron navy
yard at League Island, Philadelphia, which Is
offered to the Government by the city as free
gift.
This is brief resume of the most remarkable
paper which evsr issued from department of
this Government, and 1t records the honorable
page which history will be obliged to assign to
Mr.. Welles. HIS work is nearly finished, there
being but one port (wllmington) which has
not felt the terrible blows dealt by eur navy,
and force competent to finish that stands
ready to strike! With this place in our pos
session the country, by universal ACCLAIM alton,
will say: "Well done, good and faithful SER
want"