ends?—­and by thus devoting the army, like the custom-house and post-office, to political purposes, will it seek to increase that vast patronage of the executive which is already debasing individual morality, and destroying the national character?  Should any administration of the government be so unmindful of the interests and honor of the country as to again pursue such a course, it is to be hoped that the sword of political justice will not long slumber in its scabbard.]

We wish to call particular attention to this subject.  It deserves attention at all times, but at the present moment it more especially demands a close and candid consideration.  The higher grades of our peace establishment are now filled with men so far advanced in life that, in case of an increase of the army, many of them must undoubtedly be either passed over, or put on a retired list.  Sooner or later some change of this kind will undoubtedly be made.  It is demanded by the good of service, even in time of peace; and in time of war, it will be absolutely necessary to the success of our arms.[51] But the great danger is that the change may be made for the worse—­that all the appointments and promotions to the higher grades will be made through political influence, thus converting the army and navy into political engines.  Let proper measures be taken to prevent so dangerous a result; let executive patronage in the army be limited by wholesome laws, like those in France and Prussia; and let military merit and services, as determined by boards of competent military officers, be the only recognised claims to appointment and promotion, thus giving to the poor and meritorious at least an equal chance with the man of wealth and the base hireling of party.  In actual service the system of exclusive seniority cannot exist; it would deaden and paralyze all our energies.  Taking advantage of this, politicians will drive us to the opposite extreme, unless the executive authority be limited by wholesome laws, based on the just principles of merit and service.

[Footnote 51:  Even at the present moment, in ordering troops to Texas, where immediate and active service is anticipated, it is found necessary to break up regiments and send only the young and efficient officers into the field, leaving most of the higher officers behind with mere nominal commands.  Very many of the officers now in Texas are acting in capacities far above their nominal grades, but without receiving the rank, pay, and emoluments due to their services.]

But the importance of maintaining in our military organization a suitable system of military instruction is not confined to the exigencies of our actual condition.  It mainly rests upon the absolute necessity of having in the country a body of men who shall devote themselves to the cultivation of military science, so as to be able to compete with the military science of the transatlantic powers.  It is not to be expected that our citizen