The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-16
THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE AND THE
SAILORS OF OUR NAVY.

Il
SAILORS OF OUR NAVY.
We have observed, with heartfelt grati6ca-
ton, the movement lately made ON board of the
line of battle ship North Carolina, in behalf OF
the glorious cause oftemperance. Much as this
movement is TO be priced with reference TO the
gallant sons OF Neptune, who, on the occasion,
pledged themselves to abandon the use of in
toxcatng drinks, il is infinitely more to be va
ued on account OF the example which il pre-
sents to the noble spirits that have heretofore
yielded themselves willing victims at the shrine
of inlemperance. To us the prosperity of the
naval service has always appeared identified
with the safety and honor Of our country, and
il has always been source of deep regret that
men, whose gallantry, iberaly, and warm
hearedness are proverbial, should give way to
vice the indulgence of which never fails 10 de-
grade those over whom il obtains the mastery.
The profession of sailor Is one Of honorable
toll and exposure TO vcissitudes, of which the
landsman can form no adequate conception, and
il is peculiarly desirable that those whose "march
is on the mountain wave" should be at all times
in the full possession of their faculties, physical
as well as intellectual. Exposed TO every va
riety ofcimate and surrounded by dangers, the
slightest inatentiop 10 which may be attended
with loss Of life and property, the sailor should
be at all times not only able TO perceive, with
clearness and precision, the path of safety, but
TO pursue it with stout heart and well braced
arm. Whilst these remarks are applicable TO
those who are engaged in the commercial ma
rine of their country, they apply with even great
er force to the guardians Of its honor upon the
ccean. Itmay be said that love offrolic forms
an essential ingredient in the character of ge
nuine tar, and that in debarring him from his
grog, we would deprive him OF a source Of much
comfort and enjoyment. This may all be very
true, but we ask, whether he does not receive
ample amends for any supposed or real priva
ton, if in return for any selt-contro in this par
ticuar he is made more respectable in his own
estimation, and that Of the community. After
all, what does a sailor relinquish in abandoning
vice the tendency of which is admitted by
every one 10 be runous and dlsreputable2
When at sea the common sailor, at least, is not
permitted to drink to excess, and it is only on
shore that he can find leisure and opportunity
for the qualification. Now if, in giving way TO
this vice, he makes himself the object of scorn
and imposition, does not common sense say
that il is worse than foolish in him TO adhere to
so discreditable habit? Let him look TO the
marine hospitals, filed with his messmates who
have become the victims of disease in conse-
quence Of the use of intoxicating liquors and
Az L. A.. al M Il.
not too heavy TO be incurred for momentary
qualification. Let him look to the sailor board
ing houses, and witness the imposi1ions and
robberies there perpetrated by landlords,
through the instrumentality of drunkenness,
and then let him say, whether the hard
earnings of months OF exposure are not
too great price to pay for what is face
tiously called frolic. So far from wishing to
deprive the honest " old salt" Of his pleasures,
we wish TO enlarge the scope of them by render
ing him capable Of rational indulgences, that
leave no sting behind
We sincerely hope that the example of the
=" North Cardinals" will be followed by the
crews of every ship in the service, and that, as
the American Navy has won the admiration of
tne WOTlu Dy It's uauntleSS 8dIdutTy, IL may also
command universal respect by its sobriety and
orderly conduct. Nor would we con6ne the
benefits of the temperance reform 10 the lower
walks of our naval service. Without intending
the slightest disrespect to men whom we desire
to honor in the highest degree, we cannot be
blind TO the fact that officers who might have
been ornaments to their profession have too
often fallen victims to a love of dissipation, and
we recommend as cure for the evil, that those
who command should not suff themselves to
be outdone by the honest fellows under their
charge, in the race Of well-doing. There is no
character more truly estmable than that Of an
officer who makes his station the medium of
moral improvement; and in the present instance
the most efficient means Of making the men
faithful to their good resolutions, is the pre-
sentation Of proper examples on the part Of their
commanders.
A VOICE OF THUNDER-FAIR WARNING.
Lrna, Nh. Da,a.a