Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-29

execution OF the duties OF his ofiics IN, ,,a,
ueat,, or such other pun,shmenias court mar.
tiai SiaR iuthct' ''"
AIT. 70. No commanding officer sb.I ~
ms own authority, discharge commissioned or
warrant officer, nor Strik nor punish him an, .
eiwise tiian D! suspension or confinement Ne
ANY commanding officer ofeuainp herein sI,,,n
be punished al the discretion of a conrt MAJ.
tial,'' So"'' "iat-
Ipresume, said Mr.. ]. no question IN
DE mere clear, than that no court can,p,-
pose the penalty of death, unless The now
er TO PUNISH by death be expressly given
How incompatible is such a distinction
as Is contained IN these clauses, with the
SrninS ana spirit OF our government !.
what Il libel OH the principles of frecdo,n
and equality every where Claimed in Tie
uniied States! To what ridicuIe wom,d
u subject the inferior officer who shnut,i
Doasi OF the declaration of Independence
ana Inc equality OF rights in this country
ASK II the discrimination be iust? II tie
oHences committed by the superior oti,-
GERS be not the most likely TO prove min
rlous TO the service 1.-THE most calr,,ia;;e,;
10 produce demoralizing aud bad etiects
by Their exampleI | have no Question
mar all evil and bad examples set bv men
Iiigh III office, and in the confidence of
Tie country, descend on society with ihs
accumulated force OF gravity. Yet whilst :
me same ac', II performed by an obscure
subaltern, would be ridculed and co,,
demned--if performed by some dis,in-
gulshed and popular favoriie, il would If
moi openly approved, at least find manv
apoioglsfs The true policy of this gov
eminent Is 10 afford equal pvotection 10
all To deal ont equal aud exemplary nu-
nishmenis against all offenders IF anv
distinction be made | would puu;sb ,,;ii
most severity the man high in Office The
popular IDOL, whoslIould become iorgetl,II
OF his duties and obligations to socie,v
ihere Is nile danger that the rights Of
me superior officer in the navy will be
violated, his person attacked, or Iis feel
inss INSURED, by those under his com
in"ho' Experience, and recent occur
Tences, prove to us, that the subaltern of.
flcer is in d very different situa,ion
anuoe 10 recent occurrence on the Me-
diterranean station. 1t has been publish
ed 10 The world, and, so far as / am in
formed, never coDtradicted. that. wbnst
Oh 'iiat siation, most distinguish he'd ia, al
oHlcer, captain Perry, did so far FORGET his
own olgnlly as 10 order in his presence
Captain Heath, of the marine corns and
hrst load illm with The most vuigar and
abusive .epiihets, aud then proceed 10
iniiict blows on his person-and imo,e-
dial'iy order him under an arrest. Can
sucii conduct be tolerated IA this conn
try ] hope, 1 trust not. hut CAPTAIN
ferry has submitted TO, and received fhe
sentence OF court martial. | will NOT
al present speak OF the proceedings of
mat court. | am not possessed III lie
facts III way TO authorize mo. If the
present resolution should be adopted
II Is my intention 10 call for the proceed.
nlgf OF that court. Sir, if Congress do
i'o' interpose IFS aid to prevent the recuf-
renee of sinIIarabusesi in that department.
! snail consider the sun of glory. which
had risen with such unusual splendor ON
The navy of the u. S. as shorm forever Of
ms beams. What man of honor under
istingcircumstances, under The presant
law, would either enter yoar navy him,
sell, or permit his son 10 do so :? would
as soon become The miserable slave who
licks The dust from the foot ofdespotism.
DIS 10 ehIer, with the commission of a
Shoailern oifIcer, the navy of the United
STATES, WIN the existing law, under the
command of proud, superciIious and ~
rannical commander. | believe thai no
acts OF distinguished valor and great i'm
poFtance 10 society, were ever perform
eo, except by those who possess strong
passions. Passions are the winds which
Ian The sacred fame of human genins.
When regulated and properly directed
they raise The owner of that rare off 10
the most sublime heights of glory and re-
nown. Bur, when irregular and uure-
| slraued, they as frequently precipitate
the possessoT OF the most brilliant seuius
INTO the gulf of ruin and destrnctjon II
~ The pyevlnce and flIe dnty of the Iesis-
iature, by salutaiy laws, 10 curb and 70.
strain the wild, irregular and pernicious
ssalIIes OF human passion. No man said
Mr.I. deserved more of his country for
i's gallaniry than Captain Perry. The
| hero OF Lake Erie--be who. durin0 Tie
late war, shed the brightest beam on
| this nation by which lis course was
lighted. Sir, said Mr.. j. I should de-
| splse myself, if possessed heart so
| c0id as not to participate IN Tie general
| ieeihgS OF respect, gratitude and admi-
! ration Tor Tie man, who, by his proves.
achieved such uuIading glory TO the ma,
| uon. Bni the most radiant beam which
ever played about The head Of the hero
may be obseured, aud the most blooming
| lautcls may become furnished bv subse1
| queni acts OF tyranny and oppression. -
| VINO can behold, without tie deertst re-
| gret, ana without being ready to dfop
Tear Tor the iralliy of poor human nature.
me nero, surrounded by the trOplles Of
military fame aud renowD. basking IN the
sunshine OF popular favor, ENJOYING the
| fPSpeci ana confidence OF bis own nation.
| ana commanding therespcct and applause
| OF ioTeIgn natIons-sioOping from his ele-
| Vauon, forgetiul of lis own dignity and
J ne principles OF Justice, bringing before
| him subaiiern officer -trsf besfoVo;n,.
Oh him vulgar and scmrrilous abnse and
| lien violating his person by blows Sir
1 a..