Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-04-26

opinion prevails that the condition of our
Navy leaves much to be desired, especially
when compared with the navies OF some OF
the other great powers. five look only to
the number and tonnage of the ships. their
trcture and armament the inferiority Is
unquestionable and great
Before accepting this as the true standard
of comparison, however, two considera-
tons should be borne in mind.
First. Naval architecture is in transit>
ion state. The introd ction of steam as a
motor, the experience during our war IN
the use of armor for defense, and the new
character of ordnance-both guns and
projectiles-have presented to the naval
constructor variety of important prob,
lens not get satisfactorily solved. Sc, eral
governments have been busy with them.
England naturally takiog the lead, Das
built many ships of great power with very
complicated machinery, each one supposed |
| to be an improvement upon all the preced- /
ing. Russia has several curious structures,
novel in principle, and believed by the
| high officer whose name they bear to be
very effective. Sweden is known on the
sea by class of small ships exceedingly
| swift and armed with single formidable
gun; while Italy, not usually reckoned
naval power, may fairly boast of foting
fortresses. But none of these warlike con-
trivances have been subjected to the cru
cial test of battle. In this particular, nav al
science has lad little benefit from actual |
ex perience since the close of our war. The |
primary lesson a. Hampton Roads is yet |
studied.
The second consideration to which
J have adverted is the remote probability
} that we shall soon, certainly before the
end Of the ceatury, be involved in war with
} either domestic or foreign enemies. The
| generation which tasted the bitterness of
our late conflict mus. al pass away before
our countrymen will again appeal to the
Last d.,
| he men of that epoch look on war as
1 miserable remedy for political maladies.
With foreign nations long continued peace
may be hoped for as the logical result of
q our traditional policy -friendly relations
Q with all, entangling alliances with none.
9 May we not, therefore, wisely decline TO
g enter into com petition with the European
s powers, to which war is an ever-present
Is menace, in costly naval experi;ne tents, ike
1t ~ to grow obsolete ard even decay before
q we shall have occasion for them2 Their ey-
% periments, whether successful or not, will
IL inure equally to the benefit of all Why
le should we like them, keep fleets and
e. squadrons In. commission any more than
e. vast armies, always marshalled and ready
to move at the tap of the drum? We have
le training ships and cruisers, and, if more
IS. be required. there are navy-yards, and
m materials, and machinery, and skilled
if labor, and intelligent constructors. AZ
IS, long as the country adheres to the plan OF
y, building its own ships, of selling bu
y never buying, the navy will be found oqua
les to any emer gency. At what Suncture wa
Ats our government so feeble on the ocean q
y, at the outbreak of the rebellion2 Yet II
al, what recorded war were operations on tina
en- element so vast or the successes SO many
IN and brilliant? The nautical history of tina
ad conflict is certainly bright page in tn
ID history of warfare by sea.
Not ships. then, but they who navigate
into fha m
ne selected in youth with the greatest ca
ie- from every part of the country alike, edu
me Gated by the government in all the learn
our ing that can benefit or adern their profess
ry. ion, disciplined in minutest details, AM
en- trained to large command emphaticall
lne picked men. With some opportunity Q
up. knowing whereof 1 affirm, l hesitate ne
tue to declare them equal to any other nava
the service in the world, whether considere
I'll, in body, or compared man with man.
ma In most pursuits mems labors are man
us fest; they publish themselves. But tt
on> pursuits of the naval officer are so reno
'ul so far away from popular observation, tn
nd the entent and variety of his labors are a
tiers appreciated, and he himself is, probab
cry lost sight of until some conspicuous acnlV
GOD ment brings him into notice. Yet few Inv
l0rs buster. On the list of the Navy register a
re ar-admirals who, during their lo
citi- career, have been unemployed less tn,
INK, ever recurring duties on ship. board, the
not selfsienying men pass their toilsome lly
esti' in experimenting the building of all t
al national vessels; inspecting and testl
clll' every article in the rigging and armame
was in the oversight and care of them. and
are all the public property appertaining
,sta. them; in surveying and mapping
It or coast, and in preparing charts OF DIST
the ports; in kindling and watching the b.
had cons which nightly, from headland
more headland, encircle the domain, sentinels
with light, upon whose prearranged and p
petual flashes depend the lives and pr
mer- erty of all who sail along our shores;
ded cultivating the sciences essential TO the
citc ferent parts of Their profession to ma
well CATION for instance, geography and
long tronomy chemistry and electricity to 81
had ~ rine warfare, and always mechanics 9
,ath the higher mathematics /; in artic 6
antartic exploration; in devising new pa
ealth ways for the worl'd DIS commerce, and in e
he'd: bellishing our cities with the monumen
aced remains of buried civilizations.
, and Always and everywhere the honor Of
orts- Republic is safe in their keeping. II
resth become the flag Their dignity and ma
'here bearing lend it an added grace wherever
>sus- the globe duty requires them to carry
was Their devotion to it is never chilled
l4th abated by any private grievance; by
hree> sense of personal Injustice, however mo
sixty fying or stin ging; By any accession of
urths sullen, direful wrath which gave mank
duty the earliest, perhaps the greatest, pc
men, Abroad they maintain the national char
and ter without assertion or comprom
cons Every representative ofthe governmer
close consciously strengthened by their prese
80 and introduces them with pride as
nd OF countryme
ala have said these things because I XII
y. they are true, and because it has given
trate pleasure to bear testimony to them q
CHI he time which gains for our words a hear
nstel- The people of the United States will su
ences eat their daily bread more thankfully,
ftful in greater security, to believe that the 81
sky. service which in our day of sorest L
d the gave US Farragut, will also furnis
untry champion for every foe within our COZ
rated or on the high seas.
IL IL ter He was followed by Senator '
time hees, of Indiana, who also pait
ldren splendid tribute to the dead ADM
!, sur ra- At the conclusion of Senator '
right hees' Grafton the procession re-fo
will ed, entered the grounds of the
,sa'o Of ecutive mansion, passing in rev
,lfsh- President Langford, and then
away: persed,
ragut
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