The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-07
THE NAVY.


The writer Of the attacks in the Globe, charged
the Navy with "a mean and piliful jealousy in place
of that generous apariee of glory achieh should in
spre epery true sailor"-hat instead Of cherishing
the reputation of every member, as part of their
| own, and viewing with complacency, any favor
corded to merit to services, it is their habit TO con-
template il with envy" II may be asked, who are
those officers of the Navy, VIII have had favors
accordedt them for their merits and their services
Are they TO be found amongst those who have borne
their counrys flag through the battle and the storm,
with such singular success, in her wars1 Are they
to be found amongst those, who periled their repua-
ton in protecting her rights and interests amongst
sovereign bellgcrants? Or are they to be found
amongst those who were lodging between Navy
boards and Navy yards, for SO many years, whereby
the increased emoluments, sustenance and 'blood
they Obtained (for periling nohing) from the vitals
OF their country" was the reward oftheir "gene-
rous avarice OF glory. 1t may then, be affirmed
that this sordid spirit this itching grasping mo-
nopolizing spirit, which is every day gaining
ground" not in the period between the war, and
the installation of Presden, Jackson TO be found
Of the pureus OF Washington, and the vicinity ofthe
Navy yards " ."....-~ -.
If it should be desirable to that undistingushed
portion of officers, who have heretofore been
candidates for the avors Of the Government and the
recipients of lis bounties, for merits not yet discover
ed or distinguished services not yet rendered, lin
any considerable degree +" let them adopt new max
ims,' and then their characters and their reputa-
tons will become dear to their brother officers and
there will be no lack of Esprit du Corps" towards
them. Let the Head of the Department, feel that he
is also piece Of the ship. Let him adopt, for his
guidance the rigid rules of justice, feel power
and forget rights" Let him also, adopt new max
inns; least maxims long out Of use, in the admin
istraon Of the affairs of the Navy. The head Of
the Navy should never forget that in the character
for vaor, skill, discipline and efficiency of the Of
fcers, is to be found, his own honor, in which, to-
gether with due discharge of his duty to his coun
try, will be reflected, as through mirror, the cha
racter Of himself The violence of the attack, by
the organ of the Administration, the period when
made, being Immediately on the entrance Of new
Secretary into office, and just after the adjournment
of Congress- the moment, too, of the departure of
the President from this city, and that OF the anoma
lous Exploring Expedition from our waters, could
not but strike the public mind with astonishment,
and arrest public attention
But it is due to the officers Of the Navy 10 say that
they are taken by surprise by any thing, and
we do not doubt that the author of the attack made
on them in the official organ, will in the end, come
off second best.
1t is evident that the momentary aston ishment
which the attack produced soon settled down into
general burst Of Indignation, which proved to the
assassin in his covert that the Navy still lives and is
cherished in the affections of the nation The peo-
pie naturally recalled 10 their recolecons the many
deeds of yalor executed in war by the Navy. The
circumstances too recent TO have been forgot
ten (he reported capture by pirate of the packet
ship Susouehannah, of the Capes of Deaware)
which called forth such generous efforts on the part
of the officers and seamen to rush to the rescue, in
which they had to supply, at their own expense the
! improvidences of the Government-the very means
required for the rescue.
In these efforts, the people saw no want of Esprit
! du Corps"-no want of valor-no want of humanity
no lack of zeal nor have they seen any blood
sucked" in consequence even by those hardy tars,
who during that boisterous cruize deprived ofevery
necessary and comfort, could only roost on the
constantly laved decks Of the crowded crafts en-
ployed on the occasion.
Although the public could perceive the shadow
here and there, of "lazy iout," Of small swarm
of apron string pets and favortes, cnging and peep
ing like fungi from beneath the hardy bark Of those
sturdy oaks, who had breasted the battle and the
storm; VINO had y plloWeu on the hountdin wave,
whose home was on the deep;" yet they were salts
fed The Navy sound at core, and they could see
no degeneracy in the MAN, although instances had
occurred where the service of conveying ministers
or distinguished guests, had appeared to be more
agreeable than trying service abroad, TO be rewarded
with court martals on returning to their homes.
Mr.. Secretary Dickerson was made the scape
goat over whose shoulder this violent abuse OF the
Navy, was ushered into day by the Executive organ
The vndictiveness of the attack on Mr. Dickersons
want of competency in his office, was attempted to
be covered by left handed compliment TO his ama-
bility and the weakness of his disposition and this
by assault on his honor and honesty in office. 1t
was not sufficient that the President should degrade
and disgrace his officer under whose supervision
and control the laws had placed the whole Naval
service by taking from his direction, that part Of
the Navy which constituted the "ErpioriHg Ezpe-
THE pay of Captains in the Navy Board, and in
Navy Yards, during the period referred to- in the
| sault in the official organ, was from thirty-hve
hundred TO four thousand dollars per annum, incu-
| ding allowances. Whilst the pay and rations OF
Commanders, commanding the largest squadrons
abroad; was only tweny.>ix hundred and forty dol
| 4 a. ,nr stN~Nh SNh