The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-23
SECRETARIES OF THE NAVY.

| SECREl Arlf-o VI llfr NAN1.
| greater amount and more varied combna-
ton of character, are required in the presiding
officer of the Navy Department, than in that OF
any other ministerial constituent of the Govern
ment, not excepting even the Department OF
State Hence, officers who would do very well
! in other departments fail in that of the Navy.
Circumstances Of emergency frequently arise
which require the most careful diplomacy and
cautious action upon the part of the comman-
ders Of ships or squadIons, and according to The
course of commanders IN these respects, we
may secure great national advantages, or be IN
volyed in destructive difficulties. Upon the Sc
cretary of the Navy. devolves the responsibility
Of making judicious selections adapted 10 the
emergencies of various stations, and Of issuing
such instructions a will sustain the correct, or
timely check the improper per, onal course OF
any commander. The head of the Navy De-
pariment should, therefore, be possessed OF
sound judgment, great tact, and keen dscrimi-
nation, with an extensive knowledge Of our TO
reign interests aud relations The Secretary OF
the Navy, while he has control of a large amount
of materials and machinery, holds more impor-
lant relations 10 an organized body OF men has
TO direct it collectively, and to influence the
feelings, interests, and character OF Its indIvl-
dual constituents. 1t would be a subject of Gu
rious AMI interesting inquiry, to look back
through past years, and TO see how the views
and actions of different Secretaries have given
tone to the Navy-how far head, of the Depart
ment have sown the seeds upon the continually
renewing and fresh materials composing the
Navy, which have afterwards sprung into pecu-
liar and marked traits of character, hourishny
long after those who gave them existence had
passed from their office.
We will suppose that an individual goes into
the Department, who feels that it is his highest
duty to wiring all the money he can from the
members Of the service, and by every possible
construction or misconstructan of law, to force
the most service for the least compensation
bhghting long cherished and just hopes by with
holding promotion, that he may exact from Ju-
nor officers upon junior pay the duties of high
er grades, and, refusing travelling expenses I'm
til every porter and bootblacks receipt is pro-
duced thus teaching that the highest incentive
20 action is pecuniary compensation obscurng
honor, chivalry, and patriotism, under the con-
sideIaton Of so much duty for SO many pence,
and contracting the spirit Of the service to the
narrow standard of that by which it is directed.
Commit the management Of such a body TO
one of undiscrmina,ing benevolence and good
nature, and while he expoes himself to the i'm
positions of the unworthy, he throws the burden
Of duty upon those willing to perform it, and
represses efficiency by adding to its la
bors But who shall calculate the with
ering mischief of that man, who comes into
the Department with the conviction that all Off
GERS are mean and spiritless impostors, dsre-
CARDS every courtesy of language or manner,
10 establish his coarse, vulgar and insult
ing epilhels as the official language Of
the Department. and in the obtuseness
of his own sensbiities is surprised that
any should be wounded by them? Substituting
in his moral organization, sentimental philan-
thropy Of The ina yinalion for honest sympathy
with his kind and acknow ledging the influence
of no tie, bereavement or sorrow which es
not effect him personally, heartlessly tells those
whose letIllSS arc dt uiS ui'lCl tHat tHS pr
vate affairs Of az officer are not for the cons-
deration of the Department; and forces himself
from the path Of just occasion to niiict this SUI
perhuous wound. Such executor of his
country's power would soon darken every emo.
ZION into suen sclfshness, and place that coun-
try in the attitude of bitter hostility to those
who were willing To- hold their comfort, happi-
ness and life at its call, expecting only just IN
diligence when not inconsistent with the public
interests.
Who can estimate The designating effects,
when such an one terms the well established
rules of military life in an official document
g fantastic notions Of the exclusive claims Of
rank and substitutes for these the whims and
caprces of his own erring judgment, and intro
duces new and disorganlzlng principles, under
the form of private and confidential letters to
commanders, concluding, however, with "con-
slider this confidential, but read it to your Off
GERS y taking the most important official action
in such covert DISCUSSES, anal ama,ing public
interest and private correspondence in unhoy
union, and begetting bastard government OF
secret reports and mean espionage; and when,
by such meaus, ships and squadrons have been
thrown into state of insubordination and al
most mutiny, attempting 10 sooth the irritation
of those who have been wronged, by the pro
MISE that chance, as in other cases, may soor
give you the opportunity to distinguish YOURSELF
placing the action of the Department upon the
contingencies of lottery wheel, or leaving the
chances of distant station to correct the de
signed or mbecile action OF the Department a
home.
1t has, heretofore, been the misfortune of the