The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-21
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.
SOCIAL RELATIONS OF NAVAL OFF,
GERS

'ho VI tue Stf'iCe require Rfsabi uo
gree ofdefnon should be given to the position ofthe
civil branches of the service.
IL must be apparent TO all of just and liberal views
that the more honorable these branches made, the
higher will be the feeling of professional pride, and
the greater the guarantee of professional competency
in each and surely the Government service should be
able TO claim in all its departments, of abilities
equal to those who occupy corresponding positions in
civil life and it is suicidal TO the interests of the
vice TO reduce the grade and social position of its civil
officers below that of their brethren shore. But
those who are best acquainted with the practical ope-
ration of life on ship board know that in the United
States naval service its tendency is to diminish the
seIrespec and degrade the position of the civil ot
GERS Singular as it may appear, this condition OF
things is peculiar to the United States naval service.
| In our own army establishment and in the military
and naval services Of Great Britain, the organization
is such give the members of the civil departments
high and honorable social position II is more than
due them to do So fol their sacrifices equal to
those OF any other branch of the Service the risk Of
| life is great aud equal degree Of physical and
moral courage is required in the fument of their yo.
cation while they necessarily cut of from the OPP
portunes of distinction which stimulate the of
/
them greater physical comforts corresponding with in
creased age for the discomforts and piivations
which they encounter ship board in the vgor of
youth meet them when that vIgor has disappeared be-
meath the wearings of time and service.
| Although, military subordination admits of
equality has been found in the very best regulated
services that perfect social equality is not incompati-
Bile with discipline and subordnation; upon the
rary, is favorable TO them; for men submit i'm
plicty to the authority of command, when they know
that grows Of temporary crcu is
tal to the performance Of certain duty, ends with
the accomplishment of that duty, and does not inter
tere with their sefrespect and sef-love The prac
cal operation of such social intercourse in the
harmonious relations of our own well disciplined army
and in the British army the cultivation of social equal
ty relief to military distinctions is made matter
of system. The writer Of this, once had opportu.
nifty of dining with the officers Of three distinguished
British regiments, and at the immense mess table, by
regulation, not a threads difference existed in the
uniform OF any officer from ensigns to colonies stu
died effort made to do away with rank and
with the view each officer, from ensignto colo
mel had his turn Of presidency al the table
and British naval commander has been known TO
play leap-frog with his mdshipmen. How different
state of things exists in naval service? The
idea that "once captain always captain, is too
general an error and the ridiculous attempt to gen
crate social position from military rank is fruitful
source of dssenson and difficulty for those who
claim such privilege are continually jealous of the
conduct of subordinate officers, in the ball
the dinner table, well the quarter deck, and
are apt to infer dsrespect where none is intended
while suborinates, though they will acknowledge the
distinctions Of discipline and duty, do not in the m
any grounds for social assumption and particularly
il is generally made to the greatest extent by those
who have the least claim it, by BIRTH talent or merit
and who find it difficult to maintain the position of
gentlemen without calling in the aid of military rank
Absurd as it may appear, it frequently occurs that the
seats at ward room mess table will be taken with
sensitive regard to the existing rank of each officer,
when perhaps there may be but few days difference
Of date Of commission to decide the punctilio and in
such messes with humliating disrespect, the civil
officers, no matter how old in years and service,
pushed below 1.-THE salt, for want of defined posi-
ton, consistent with their years, profession and char
acter Even if an equal and gentlemany social in
ercourse between officers was not perfectly compati-
Bile with and conducive to discipline least of all,
humble position for the sake of discipline; for, hold
ing no station of authority and command indeed, be-
ing liable in course of duty to under the com
mand Of the youngest officer in service, aud high
sense of duty requiring obedience to him much to
one ofthe highest rank, station given to those Off
GERS could ntefcre with s,bordinaton. On the con-
trary in IA service where the temporary military po-
sition of officer is apt to be interpreted de-
| d ~
to be carefully protected and guarded and then obcd
ence becomes matter Of self respect and principle
) instead Of humiliation.
Another branch of the present naval organization
casting contempt upon civil officers is that which
cludes them from being members of courts martial,
1t is universally just principle that shall be
tried by his peers, and approach to this principle
would be made by requiring courts for the trial OF
civil officers to be in part composed of their own
grade. There is no reason why it should not be so
Surely they sufficiently intelligent, sufficiently in
, formed, have great an interest IN the good OF the
service, in the character of their own grade as any
other class OF public servants and are not more want
. ing in character and integrity sufficient TO render
a righteous verdict upon their colscences oatfs
Although in the requirements made OF these classes
officers upon their admission into the service the
highest degree of qualification is demanded, this be
ing met, and PROVISION made for thcirpecunary com
pensation, they are then committed TO the arbitrary
and capricious usages on ship board, without any
guard or guarantee from the higher authorities o.
their country of their just rights and privileges It
is forgotten that pride of station and high deg rec
of sei-respect arsoften more powerful incen ives i'
action than pecuniary compensation, and that botl
are gradually destroyed by an organization which
teaches officer that his pay is full compensation
Q both for his services and systematic insult.