Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-02

srss delicate oud ch;varic courage ihnn 9th
G. men, would hold those personality 'rrrunu,hlo E
their opinions, who were known KIN ess amy with
regard 10 them calculated acct thgir reputation or
honor. This might be we'll enough in those coun-
ries where he mask aud sieiio weapons Tor
the qualification oC revenge, and where The military
are held TO b. superior to the civil auIhoruy. Bur
as We proceed in our constitution, upon directly the
converse OF this proposition, and saud IN trear
oil ASSASSINATION for our honest opinions the
me"t o, This odions rule, Of SECRET SITTING, pre-
snmes mat there IS not, rs much courage under ~
blue coat ne red one, aud that our officers are
AFRAID pnblcfy 90 express their Judicial opinions with
regard to the conduct of THEiR ASSOCIATES lit
gives 10 MILITARY courts iulpuniiy against then
acts and decisions which is denied to the higher cI-
VII tribunals of the country who are obliged to con-
duet tieir proceedings IN public aud in no nstance
are pcrmitied 10 turn Out AUDIENCE and close their
uocts against its curiosity and attendance YET we
never hear of a judge or juror being insulled or
called 10 account by prisoner or his frends'toush
by theu opinions, publicly pronounced he is branded
with iniamy--deprived of his properIy--or sentenced
10 uedh- The Character OF AN officer should he ge-
nervous, frank and fearless OF responsibility i'm the
dIschaige of his duty-as firm, prompt and nnreserv
ed ~ expi essing his opinions ut court martial ms
~ giving his orders upon the quarter deck, aad no
legislative enactmenis OF permission from govern
ment should tempt him TO upon different princ-
pies. me allowance 10 sit IN Judgment upon his
comraGes m secret, offers temptations 10 his weak
ness, ms tears, his cupditv or his parialiies and
above all lakes away the induceueni he should have
10 study the laws he is called upon expound and
make himself acquainted with the high and rcspon-
s'bie duties OF member of couit marrial--a Ir-
bunaI OF equity and honor where the character of
the corps rs IN keeping-so that a member, he
would as learlessly, in the face of The world pro.
no"nce an, opinion that would consign a conirade
TO disgrace and death, rs lie would cheerrully de-
clare his innocence and rescue his name from ohio
guy and shame.
These remarks will, trust, not be thought indeli-
care, Tor they are certainly not Intended so--Ihey
roll
ions OF our courts martial in particular, hut simply 10
The objectionable secret rule by which they ave too
frequently conducied--nue so aborrent in pr,nciple
TO our free opinions and under standings, and which
from my own knowledge has been more the cause OF
the numerous chickering's quareis that disgrace the
navy, than any other circumstance which they can
he imputed Or % post captains there are IL &ho
are hardly upon speaking terms and with bot few
exceptions, all their differences have grown out OF
circumstances, in secret sitting court martial
But to conclude In all The foregoing observations
nave endeavored To lay before you Facts and opn-
IONS calculated TO draw the attention OF the people
the greatest abuse one of their lavnrire instu-
tpns---an abuse which wresis from subordinate of
icets the protection OF the laws and traniples upnm
Their unalienabie rights cIlizens and as men-
winch has gown 10 such an extent, by the shamriul
negligence OF those who ought To have prevented IT,
that the ships, officers aud crews of The navy would
seem To be cOnsideed The appropr property of
their commanders! Ia illustrating this fact nv re-
terence 10 til" late court martial and in the ftrucn
mention OF Com. Porter in relation to il
acuared 10y unfrirndly feelings towards that dis
,'ngushed ofSceI-Personally unacquanied with
h'nij would speak OF him with all the Difference
and sreci arm bound Ia feel for every gentle ma
~ that situation, would 40 mn act so repugnani
10 my pride as would lesser the high public claims
wtich lie has acquired ia my estimation But "A free
enquiry into the pubic of public men is proud
privilege we enjoy aud viii moi he questioned by
those who hold To the maxim of our political ST.
v'our, that " ~ becoming officers they do cease
to he citizens My advantages woud allow me 10
say much more about the late court martial ihnn
have done, hui orhore going into details upnn tie
opmon that the single acI hch gave Use L. IL and
me iruer OF the Secretary upnu us terminauon,
would he sufficient 10 arrest The nnice of those o
alone cdn have the whole proceedings made ruhlic
IL that shall lie doue, my ohieet will be ohaimed-
and a. as verify believe, the umnpotenre ofopinon
shall reform The evil complained of, redress The
wrongs and restore the rights of our gallant Young
officers upon whom The glory Of The navy must here :
alter rest g IN the day and hour of danger" lhr
distinguished veteran whose single sin may give rise
10 II may ind cnnsOlann for his errors the great
and momenious blessings they will ocGas
PREBLE
Since closing the foregoing Mr. Kcnnon's defence
has been puhlished-bu WHY are not the charges
also Ought not the poison and anIiduie 20
together :-i on see different rule obtains IN Cap
tain Smiths case when the government prosecute
ed'!! r.
With all respect the Editor OF the
Herald We must si implicitly rely upon tho srateuents
Of" Looker-on" We know him intimatey--he is not
the man 90 state any fact which he does to be
true.
IS sG that John Talinferro ESq.s electeto Congress
IN The place of Mr. Ball deceased W majority about
100 Gen. Hmgerford-and that he has gone on
to take his
The National Journal NAV 10y tho Gathering JUNCTION to
his soui-but Virginia will in prefer Mr. Adams
10 MR. Crawford-Mr. AS ticket in Virginia is a mere
bubble"
UrNoTICE.-The Rev Francis Jenlss. from, the Tb..,o
Cambridge, in he IA
pioi ON Sunday next at II in the morning and the
Al Quarterly Court continued ana held for the coun
" Of Lancaster. at the Courthouse iherenr nm rnn,