The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-18
ASSAULT ON THE NAvY-THE SECRE
TARY OF THE TREASURY.

20, but man, proud mani
Drest In little brief authority;
Most ignorant Of what he's most assured,
,- like an angry ape,
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven,
As made the angels weep
We believed with our correspondent TMo-
LEON" when we published his communities
ton, some days since, on the subject Of the
gross and unkind assault made upon the Navy
and all its officers, through the columns Of the
official organ, that the Secretary Of the Navy
was himself the author Of the two articles, in
which the violent aspersions were cast on that
great arm of our national defence. We are
now perfectly satisfied we were correct in
that belief. If the assault had been made by
any other person, without the knowledge or
sanction Of the Secretary Of the Navy, he
would long since have disavowed all know
ledge Of the same, and have declared his
disapprobation Of it. Not so, however, the
Secretary remains mute, thereby tacitly ac-
knowledging himself to be the author.
In our opinion, the officers Of the Navy
owe it to their own hard-earned and deserved
ly high reputation. to make respectful appli-
cation TO the Chief Executive Magistrate,
requesting his interposition, to ascertain and
inform them officially who it is that has thus
aspersed their characters
So long as they are left under the impress
sion that, it is the Secretary himself, it is i'm
possible they can entertain the smallest pani-
Gle Of respect Cor him. The more speedily,
therefore, he is exhonerated from the suspi-
cion, if unjust, the more will that branch Of
the public interest be promoted. II, however,
ing will be called on by many and most
weighty considerations to retire forthwith
Public sentiment will call for it I; Justice to
those favorites Of the Nation who have been
slandered by him, will require il /; the good Of
the service, will demand t.; for it is impossi-
bic there can ever be any respect or harmony
of feeling, entertained or existing on the part
of the officers Of the Navy, towards the head
who has stigmatised them, " cut purses and
cut-throats !" as men who adopt The maxims
of COOLERS and thinkers !" totally devoid Of
"esp'n du corps" and who !" skulk" from
service. This is not all. They are informed
that, if any Of them shall feel dissatisfied with
the decisions the Secretary may make affect
ing them, no matter how unjust, nor how arbi-
trary. that if he catches any Of them in Wash
ington :. campaigning" to obtain redress, by
appealing to his superiors, he will "KIDNAP"
them! What more opprobions term could
have been employed! One applied to negro
stealing!
We strongly suspect the Secretary has been
elevated too suddenly-that "drest in a little
brief auihoriiy'' he attempts to play the ty-
rant! We have heard as much intimated |;
indeed, the two articles in the Globe, could
have emanated from none other, than a tyrant
in feeling and in principle. We would adj
wise those in high places, who would act the
tyrant, if such there be, to recollect that even
in Monarchical France, it required but three
days to overthrow the tyrannical and despotic
edcts of the PoLIcNAc ministry, and their
authors also.
SENATOR HUBBARD.