The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-09-12
THE ATTACK ON rnE Navy.

THE ATTACK ON THE NAVY.
Notwithstanding our friend Of the Richmond
Enquirer declares he has "done with the subject"
we as emphaiically declare that we have not "done
with the subject. We do not intend to deceive"
ourselves nor do we seek to deceive others" The
Enquirer said on the 4lh inst
The great body Of the Wing papers low do him
Justice They say, the Enquirer has satisfied them by
his explicit declarations. One or two .sn affect to be
incrednlous" rs .-H
We, a Conservative, are still "incredulous"
We intend to do the Secretary of the Navy
Justice, and therefore repeat our belief that he
wrote every word of the two articles attacking the
Navy. that appeared in the Globe.
The editor Of the Enquirer seems to think II would
be stopping to an act of humiliation" for the Sc
cretary to deny the authorship in his own person."
and yet the editor says he has seen Mr. Pauldings
own letter." expressly declaring that he was not
the author, and that he did not know who was" Is
thege not something anomalous in these positions?
Whereia would there have been any thing par
taking Of humiliation" for the Secretary of the
Navy to have said through the columns Of the Off
cial organ, where the assault was made that he
was not the author, and that he did not know who
wasp The Postmaster General did not consider it
as STOPPING" to Of humiliation" 10 declare,
through the columns of the Globe, that he had
nothing whatever TO do with the attack, soon as
he saw il was charged upon him.
But what principle Of justice is il that our Co
temporary Of the Enquirer has come to the resol,-
ton to be "done with the subect"2 Does he con-
slider the Secretary Of the Navy has discharged the
duties of his station if he is satisfied that unc-
tonary not the author of the attack and did not
know who was? That attack was made through the
editorials of the oeial organ, which, looked upon
abroad as speaking the sentiments of the Admins
raton. 1t appears 10 us that the editor of the En-
quirer cannot fail to perceive the situation in which
all our Naval officers now placed, from the high
| est in rank 10 the lowest. This dsavowa made by
the Enquirer for the Secretary as to all knowledge
ofthe author Of The assault does not the i'm.
putatipns and ISLANDERS cast upon the officers Of the
Navy. They carry the whole of the sigmas with
them under the sanction of the Administration.
! Suppose another Gibraltar affair should occur,
similar in character that Of 1877 in what situa-
ton would our Naval officers be placed What
would the daring chivarous spirit OF BoURNE a
SrocKToN, THOMPSON, and other heroes associated
with them, on thar occasion, avail them, with the
listing ocnl denuncations and degradations of their
characters and profession s.in fastened upon them
| They are nsulted, They demand reparation in a
way known in chIvalry among gentlemen. Who
can fail TO anticipate the reply that might and proba.
bly, would be returned to them might be- and with
proQrety too; we cannot recognise you as gentle
men You have seen and still stand stigmatized BY
yourown government "cmparses, eutthroats "lazy
1onts' aud are placed on par BY aspeeialezplana-
siqn in the official organ of your Government with
our.' CobbicrS and Thinkers !" we can never descend
10 place ourselves on an equality with men who bear
those aspersiens on their character" .,
Is the editor OF the Enquirer willing to see those,
who have periicd their hives and poured out their
blood in fighting their eeunuy's battles and defend
Ing lis honor, thus exposed to modification, insult
and degradation If he is we are not, We shall
lay on and spare bot until the foul slandcrcr ex
posed, and the injuries Of Tie SlaDdercd are fully re-
/ dressed. .E '~
| 1t will not be enough that, both the head of The
! Navy Departmentiahd tr& administration, disown
all knowledge and participation in the assault; in
such event the conductor of the official organ must
be dismissed from The future confidence of the Go
vernment The fnl measure of justice mus be melted
out to the aggrieved By the punishment Of the ag-
gressor whoever he may be. 4.