The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-31
THE NAVY.

We have shown with what facility weak, or
wicked administration OF the Navy, can break down
one of the most gallant corps, possessed by the
Nation. A corps of which, a celebrated Pope of
Rome, once said "they had done more for Christen-
dom, in six months, by their valor, and gallantry,
than all Europe hadtlone in half century," A corps
which, with half dozen frgates and sloops OF war,
could beard the lion in his den and traverse every
sea, in spite of his thousand ships of war" and in
defiance OF the Wanting declaration put forth on
time that, mot sail but by permission spreads"
corps which could subdue tro British fleets of SUI
peror force, out of three on the lakes A corps
which recompensed, with victory after victory on
the seas, the continued defeats and disasters of the
national armies on land, and thereby sustained the
dropping spirits of the people.
If the Navy has become so degenerate, as was as
serted in the Globe and il the of that degen-
eracy is the Nary Department. does it not admonsh
the honorable Senate of the United States to scan
more in future, the fitness of the men nominated to
that body to be placed at its head ere they give
ton to their appointment Surely Senators cannot
feel that the Constitution has placed this sacred trust
in their hands for other purpose, but to approve
the executive selection whether fiji unfit for these
important trusts in which are involved so vast an
amount of national property; so many lives dear to
the country; and, in an eminent degree, the honor,
the safety and the welfare of this Republics
IL Is much to be regretted that those important JEFF
fersonian requisites had been entirely lost sight of
by his successors in the approving power. els he
capable is he honest" Had this no, been the case
the nation, and the world, would have been spared
the degrading exhibition of the Navy, which it has
pleased the Executive organ Of the Administration to
make. The writer in the Globes attacks, asserts
that he pyh,,
after the installation of President Jackson, proves
that the degeneracy has been most rapid in the ne
Rod intervening between that time and the close of
the late war" These defects, the writer asserts con-
tinued, and eff they are not eradicated, will not
only lose it THE Navyl the affections of the nation
but make it the scorn and contempt of the world"
The defects he states 10 be, "a want of Esprit
du CoTpS'-that "a mean and pitiful Jealousy,
equally degrading to the man and the profession
pervades all classes of the ofcers"-"that too MANY
o' "e young officers disposed to skulk from ser
~ 'e"sS from such as they do not deem agreea-
m', VI! Vi Nhe'r pretensionS, real or imagi-
800 '"ey nave forgotten, when they re-
,r, 'N. No'"'nlSN'onS' they gave themselves to
- |"u III return for rank maintenance
' u '"S \nhe country has right to their
entire services that the motives ana c,;,,.
which impel man to handle shade tor 80
are those which inspire the defenders Of their conn
try and that, as lazy lous, skulk whenever ,hov
can, so do the Navy officers who quarter on the u
tails OF the country and suck her blood"-tba, ,b;s
spirit " is deeply rooted and daily gaining ground .
and that, they have adopted the maxins and prin.
clpIcs OF COOLERS and tnkers." To the Chief Ma.
EstFatcs MADISON, MoNRoE, and ADAMS, and their
administration of the Navy, are attributed the ORR
gin and progress of this degeneracy. With its con-
"o0ahce and daily gains, he compliments The AID.
mN's'ra''on OF GENERAL JACKSON How thankful
must The Hon LEVI WOODBURY. feel 10 the author
~ ms exhibit of his administration of the Navr