Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-08-23
From the Baltimore American.

II From the Baltimore American.
1fthere be a branch OF the public service
that has enjoyed the peculiar confidence OF
the Americans as a nation, and which should
be cherished by them, it is the Navy. The
/ legitimate safeguard Of our commerce and
national honor abroad, and above all secon.
Diary influences at home, it has with the cx-
ceptlon OF few years, during which All at
tempt was made To superscde it by novel
description of naval armament, uniformly
been fostered by the National Government
and at all times has commanded the best
wishes of the mass of the people. The pre-
sent inefficient condition Of this arm of the
national defence to whatever source it may
be referred, cannot be attributed to any
want of high feelings in those attached to the
service, or falling of in the excellence Of the
materials that compose II. Perhaps IL would
not be saying too much to remark that in the
Navy Of no country is To be found more true
noblencss Of character, propricty OF dcport.
ment, or highly cultivated intelligence
Previously to the late war, those who went
into the Latonal marine did so, in most
instances from deep rooted attachment 10
that particular service, which had been too
limited to attract ambition by presenting
/
however after the gallant victories achieved
by a Hull, Decatur, a Jones, n Perry. n
\ McDonough, and the whole h,.t of brave
men whose good fortunes enabled them to
come into contact with the enemy, the Navy
became the source of pride To Americans
and Immediately we bcheld the sons of the
first men m the country seeking appoint
incnts on board of our ships of war. The
Won, la n nnpIvipn ~ a. MT hnus iuc frnn
school, indulging wild vagaries, but young
gentlemen admirably educated. who would
have done honor TO uny profession. So far
rs the senmcn and petty officers are con-
ccrned, they are all that can be expected in
II volunteer service, entered into without
compnlslon. Those composing the crews OF
our armed ships are not, as is sometimes the
case elsewhere, the swecpines of jails, or
victims of bestial Indulgence. The pay of
seamcn in the Navy is fortunately on foot
ING that commands the best men, inasmuch
as many. very many, prefer what they call
the State to the merchant service, on the
score of compensation.
Any person who will visit our navy wards
and the places where the scamen in the
national service resort, will he convinced of
the great superiority of our common sailors
IN personal appearance and general habits,
over those OF other navies. With such Off
GERS and mon, the American Navy mus,
always stand high in the esteem of the coun-
try, and if the service has become inefficient
it is owing to any thing rather than fault oil
their part.
To us there has always appeared great
improprlcly IN connecting party feelings with
the Navy. The sphere OF It's usefulness be-
ing, as we would suppose, entirely beyond
such secondary Influences, there is no reason
why they should be directed 10 it. The fame
OF our Navy belongs to the .1D,rrican propie
emphatically, and not to any party. The
only legitimate opponents of our officers and
scamcn nrc those whom cirC unstances NAV
render Tor the time being our national cne-
mics, md we should regard any attempt ia
create hostile feeling towards them on tho
part OF our own citizens rs n most ungracious
return for important services.
\ In thus asserting the claims Of the Navy
to public favor aud confidence, it must not
he supposed that VIC entertain any other than
The most friendly sentiments towards the
Army. They arc both composed of the same
description of gallant md patriotic spirits
employed it is true in different spheres Of
action, but with equal utility in their rcspcc-
tive departments. Sufficient naval and mill
tary establishments are indispensable TO
every well governed country, jealous Of its
rights and disposed 10 protect them at home
and abroad. With protection as the limit to
which these services should be restricted,
there cnn arise no danger from the existence
of either, and 1t becomes the government to
make use of all the mrnps within its reach,
to render them independent and honorable.
Y The sailor or soldier who dcvotes his life 10
The service and protection OF his fellow cit-
zens, should be cherished and beloved by
them. and every thing should be done to
place him on the most honorable footing.