New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-21
A MILITARY CRITIC.


censed because Of the report Of naval
commission on the coast defenses and
military armament Of our war vessels. II
evinces knowledge of armor and pro-
jectiles which if it had been discovered or
avowed during the war might have pro-
noted the success of the Union arms
greatly. Very naturally the grand point
of objection is to the approval Of Presi-
dent Grant to certain suggestions OF the
commission, and thus Napier and Tottle-
ben of the World demand of the Presi-
dent how he dares to outrage all modern
improvements in the science of defense
and destruction by lending his sanction
to any such recommendations as those of
the commission. We can not help say
ing meditatively, what great misfortune
it is that an appointing power is restricted
by usage to its own political party. Here
an unfortunate custom has prevented the
President from discharging the commits
sion and referring its duties to the New
York World. Not impossible this un-
happy restriction may imperil the public
| safety. Now listen how this Won 3Ioltke (?)
| berates this sous lieutenant Grant:
But the commissioned President Grant
with them-forgOt that il tortitcatiOn is
in a state Of transition, much more so is
ordnance, and especially offensive and de-
fensive marine artillery. The battle be-
tween armor plate and rifled gun has been
in,nn - rk:ll
undecided; must still be fought out Just
as if issue had never been joined, Why not
defer action on heavy artillery. as we have
agreed to defer it on Notifications, until the
question is settled as to whaG sort of guns
are useful and what worthless.
We really feel sorry for this obscure and
ignorant little subordinate. General Boum,
who snubs Fritz and calls him mauvais |
so'dat! is nothing in point Of severity to
his superior of the World. The Boabdil |
of the JVorld goes on with his scathing re-
proach:
Again, how mauiiestly absurd it is for the
President to say he is convinced of the
economy and necessity" of converting
smooth bores into eight-inch rifles, and Rod,
mans into the same, while simultaneously /
admitting that the experience of other
nations, based on the new conditions of |
defense brought prominently forward by
the introduction of ironclads into every |
navy at1oat, demands heocier metal and rite
gunS Of not less than trelce inches IN caliE7c |
These enormous masses, hurting shot of |
seven hundred pounds, can clone meet
many Of the requirements Of the national
detences."
Then it is triumphantly asked by Ma
pO1oov IF fbo no chad D,oe;I,~4.
What is the use of trying to put quart
into pint cup!
What reply could there be to such a
conclusive crusher? The abashed execu-
tive stands mute. Then comes, however,
a question which it is cruel to ask this
cadet before large pubic
auditory. 1t is:
Will Mr.. Grant please to explain what is
The use in making eeven-inch guns at a
leavy expense when nothing less than
welve-inch guns will be Of any service to /
Is!
Then he tells General Grant how it was
during the war
During the war the .Dahlgren ten and
md hfteeniuch guns were fancied the ne
,tus uttra-those same smooth bores which
he President now pronounces useless
We can not really witness the excruci-
ting display of supreme science on the
me side and of ignorant inexperience in
warfare upon the other, so we must i'm
lore the World man to forbear.
The predetermination of the little par
lsans to defame every man and every
hing which pertains to their opponents
very funny. Sometimes, as in this
ase, it commits ridiculous tyro to the N
of men whom the whole
'orld applauds for superior knowledge of
ne special subject which the tyro dis
uses. This whipster of the World p
ould put MacMahon through the man
Ell and teach Garibaldi all about strategy.