The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-13
THE NAVY.

much pains 10 trace out the causes of this al
legged degsneracy, and proved, as we think,
very clearly. that there had been enough Of
becility, ignorance and NAL administration CON
trolling the desliaies Of the Navy Department
TO produce precisely the result complained Of
in the official libels. II appeared, as we traced
the history, the greater wonder that we now
should have any Navy ut all. And we hare
seen no action, demonstration, nor sign, at the
present head of the Navy, calculated in any
degree to remedy the grievances complained
of On the contrary, the leading characteris-
tics of its conduct have tended rather to de-
press still more the esprit du corps, TO smother
still more the 'sgenerous ayarice Of fame" TO
increase still more the ''cut-pursing" propen-
sity, and to extingush utterly, if possible,
every chivalric impulse, and every incentive
to that honorable ambition necessary to give
a prominent and shining character to this inn
portant tributary OF the national glory. Is
there that freedom and cordiality Of inter-
course and of counsel between the head Of the
Navy and his inferior officers necessary Tor the
attainment Of correct naval intelligence and
Information Does the Head profit by the
experience Of his subordinates Does he seek
their advice, their knowledge, or treat any as
his equals, or even as gentlcmen9 No; the
officer who shall presume to visit the head
quarters Of his service is to be regarded as a
''toad-eater" and "kidnapPing" is the penalty
Of his presumption. And the incivility, hau-
teur, petulance and superciliousness said to
characterize the dignitary who asserts this au-
thority, are not well calculated to attract the
friendship, to encourage the ambition, or pro-
mote the union or the efficiency Of the Navy.
We have seen nothing from the present Sc
cretary worthy Of the times or commensurate
with the spirit and the wants Of the age
Much cannot be expected, in such a service,
of mere tale writer, whose time is absorbed
in Swapping up unconsidered t,ifss," and
whose devotion to himself precludes decent
attention to the important interests unfortu-
nately committed to his charge.
There was time when the Secretary OF the
Navy attended assiduously and exclusively to
the business and the interests committed to his
care-when his pride consisted not so much
in the transitory dignity Of the office, as in the
substantial merit of good works-when his
liberality, business, energy, industry and sa-
gacity banded together all the elements OF the
service in one common and efficient union,
and shed lustre, by their conduct, upon the
nation. The virtues of that time, are feebly
emulated in the degeneracy of the present.
The contrast and comparison Of such an adj
ministration Of the Navy, with the one now
in weak existence, are worthy OF observation.
An intelligent friend, experienced in naval
affairs, has handed us the subjoined just tri-
butes to the official character of Robert
Smith, Esq, whose administration of the
Navy, many an officer will remember with
regret that it should have passed away; 'its
like again" to be seen no more. The contrast
will strike every one.
To ROBERT SMITH ESQ.,, &
Ex-Secretary Of the Navy,
Baltimore.
Sir: hope the liberty l take in thus addressing
you will not be imputed TO an improper motive
Justice towards yourself and the interests OF the
public seem TO demand that l should apprize the
nation of your merits, and remind the Navy that
they have had at least, one head TO preside over
them, whose talents discrimination, and high-mind-
edness, have produced much advantage and Naval
glory TO the country.
Many years have numbered their course since
you retired from the Navy Department, where your
efficiency had been SUCH as 10 call forth at the time
from the officers of the Navy, spontaneous express
sion OF their gratitude-an act which never occurred
before, and fear will never take place again TWAS
unanimous on the occasion, the proof OF which is in
your possession This single instance of their public
testimony Of esteem is the more honorable to you
for its singularity. Ii will remainra memorial
of your justice, merit and virtues and proof OF
the sensbility and affection Of the officers of the
Navy, whom you had truly constituted chivaric
band Of brothers. a.
The unpopularity Of the Navy with the Govern
ment and the people, which you had to encounter on
taking charge of the Navy Department in 1901
the solicitude which you evnced for its honor and its
inlerests-lhe order and discipline you infused into
it, deserve not only the thanks Of the Navy, but Of
the nation. When you assumed the control of this
branch of national forces, nothing could be more
unpopular 1t was Responding under the law OF that
year which created the Naval peace establishment,
and lis energies seemed Frustrated Tor ever. Under
the authority Of that law you dscree,ly pruned its
excresences sifed the mass, and encouraged 1t with
hope. On every occasion which presented itself,
you afforded an opportunity TO draw towards il the
public eye and thus destroyed the public prejudice.
In your intercourse with the officers of the Navy
they were taught to know that, II their situations
were not lucrative, they were highly honorable;
you inculcaed the principles Of gentlemen and they
felt that they were such. You drew them 10 Wash
ingtoE on every proper occasion, and thus became
personally acquainted with them, their qualfca-