The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-15
THE NAVY.

We have already on more than one occasion dis
tincty ascrbed the attack the Navy, made in the
Globe of the LIST and I'd days Of August last, to the
present Secretary Of that Department. We believe
it was mere effort of the Executive, similar to
many heretofore made in the same branch of the
Government through succession OF years, to break
down and destroy that popular and important arm of
our national defence, The many indications of
hostility, have been too significantly demonstrated to
admit of doubt of the continued unpopularty of
the Navy with the Executives and their cabinets.
We take up the subject in pursuance of the init
nations heretofore thrown out
Our object in this and some succeeding articles
will be to show to the public how much The Navy
has had TO contend against, in addition to the con-
slant and continued hostility of that branch of the
Government to whom the Navy and the Nation
ought TO look with confidence for the promotion of
its interests, and the protection of its rights
We regard the last attack on the honor and con-
duct of the Navy, as designed to impair its popu-
larity, paralyze its energies, and reduce il to that
state of contempt before the country, which would
be we'll calculated to lead the results so long sought
to be accomplished through other means; but which
have been heretofore successfully resisted by the
Navy and the Nation.
twas gravely charged in the assault that the
formerly acquired, by want of Esprit du Corps !"
and that "a mean and pititul jealousy pcrrades all
| classes of Tie o6cers."
That such has always been the case, to some
small extent, we hardly think admits of doubt
if it exists in greater degree and more actively
now than in the earlier history of the Navy, it is
only consequence of the increased scale of the
service and the abundant given for such jea-
| lousies; by the impuny with which wanon and
nudicious interference with the rank, the rights
the merits and the services of officers has been exhi
| bited
The very evils complained Of have existed from
the foundation OF the Navy Department; and their
continuance is consequence of the incapacity gen.
orally, with which that Department has been con-
Quoted, through the ignorance of, or the indifference
to, the delicate feelings of officers.
Early in the history Of the Navy, the jumping sys-
tenn commenced; and it was then said that victory
over the enemy was not sure road to promotion,
as the price paid for city lot in Washington. By
the jumping system, we mean, that invidious prac-
| tce of the Department Of placing junior officers
over their seniors-by disorganizing arrangement
of their own lists sometimes at the will of clerk)
| and by irregularty in detailing for servces-pass
ing over meritorious ofcers-not seeking those best
calculated from their experience and talents to per-
form it: but selecting some favorite of persons or
principles, under the hope that some singular good
fortune, or success, will justify their finally riding
I them over the heads of their superiors.
| In such system, united to the known human
weakness of very many Secretaries of the Navy TO
crafty some favorites, or to oblige some political
partzans may be found abundant for this lack
Of Esprit dn CorPs;" and by thus prostituting the
public service to subserve private political views
an inveterate envy has been generated between the
officers by those who should have protecte their
rights and shielded their feelings from modification
and laceration.
In addition to the foregoing other have OPP.
Grated to produce dissatisfaction among corps Of
high minded and gallant officers, and to render
them in small degree obnox ous to the charges al
legged against them, by the author of the assault in
the Globe Too frequently il has occurred, that Of
fcers who have been cashered from the service for
some highly dishononrdbk, or dsgraeef,a practices