The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-30
THE MADISONIAN +.
From the North .4mertcan.
THE WHISKEY RATION In THE NAVY.

There was a time when most of those connected
with the Navy, were In favor or the whlskey ration
1t was regarded as an element which the habits OF
the sailor If not the hardshps of his condition, had
rendered expedient We were once of this opinion
ourselves but experience that great and final test
of all things, has produced different conviction.
1t has been shown with a concusiveness that ad-
mits of cay that the hardest service is best
performed by those who use no alcoholic drinks
We adduce in evidence of this the health and strength
found in our whaling vessels, where spurious Ii
quors used and where the hardships unequal-
ed 10 any other branch of our marine. We have also
hundreds OF merchantmen ahoat, where the utmost
enterprise and yigor prevail, and where no artlhcal
stimuents used. But evidence stops not here:
We have also men of war in service, where amonga
large proportion Of the crews the whskey ratioh mas
been voluntarily committed for other articles, ana
where still the highest degree OF alacry and strength
abound. And further, have one frigate at least
aAoat where as we informed, every soul on
board from the commander down to the loblolaboy,
is tetotlsr and where order, discipline and energy
are unsurpassed. With these facts before u.s. facts
founded in experience, We are prepared to say that
the whiskey ration in the Navy well be dispensed
with
The law as it now stands makes it part of the
sailors ration; and commander, not the Secretary
of the Navy himself, can withhold it. large pro-
portion of the Of public ships voluntarily
relinquish it, A few from the force of habit or ig-
norance of the benefits of giving it up, continue ITS
use. This comparatively small number are called on
deck twice thrice day, where, in the presence OF
all the rest of the crew. the whskey is dealt out to
them; and where their faces lighted up for the
moment with the delirious excitement impaired
Now what must be the effect of such an example !?
What its effect the youth of the crew, and on that
sailor whose abstinent purpose sometimes waivers
Temptations out of sight lose half their power. 1t
is our eyes that gives the forbidden fruit its charm
And yet no commander under present law, can
refuse to present this perncious infectious example
to his every day. He cannot have this insid-
Gus poison administered in secret he has right to
order the men down into the hold for the purpose
nor can he cast upon the indulgence any stigma OF
rebuke. 1t is honored and protected by law, and he
is obliged to respect that law.
What then, in view Of all these facts, is the duty
of that body which made this law but to repeal it
Can any face this evidence and protect it Can
he look at the evils which incts and plead for it?
Can he stand the ruins of soul, mind and body
which it entails, and defend it? No. no, not for one
moment. 1t ought to be abolished at once, utterly
and forever. 1t ought never to have been incorpo-
rated with the provisions of the service. But igno-
of its destructive nature allowed its enactment
That ignorance however, now no longer exists, and
there apology left for its continuance Let Con-
gress then strike it from Naval statutes and sub
stitute for its poison what will promote the comfort
health and strength Of our seamen.