The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-02-24

HONOR OF THE AMERICAN FLAG.-IhS S"'S
Is beginning TO acquire fresh interest
partly from the fresh facts coming out-and parity
from the opinions OF the English press, which are
now about coming back, TO mix with pubic opinion
here Yesterday, in the report OF the Court Mar
tial, it will be seen that Commander mckenzie
ustiies his yng up the apprentices In stout canvas
bags on the ground OF keeping them warm and
comfortable This is pretty nearly correct in all
such cases. When sportsman goes out to shoot
mutinous canvas back ducks on the Potomac, he
generally bags his game for like reason. So also
on Long Island, when men 60 out shooting insubor-
dinate cartridges, or unruy snipe, stout bags are
used for similar purpose. All perfectly right, and
precedent for il too Among other new points, is
one recently set up by Commander Mckenzie, in
reference to the honor of the American flag.
A word on this point.
The Journal of Commerce and the American
quote young Perry's to the question respect.
ing the ability Of the Commander of the Somers to
take her into st. Thomas, with APPRECIATION, as il
it furnished excuse for his conduct. Perry says
that the honor of the flag forbade seeking protection
elsewhere than from the ship herself. Now, in the
first place. the question has nothing to do with pro-
fecfion II the vessel could have been brought into
st. Thomas any other island, the prisoners could
have been landed there, or placed In the charge Of
the U. s. Consul, sent home in a merchant
vessel. The same disposition could have been made
of the suspected part of the crew. and the prisoners
retained in irons, il the "honor Of the flag" re-
qured it.
But, is a regard to the "honor of the Aag'' tc
justify the hanging of three human beings unarmed
in irons, without trial and without the authority Of
Iav oio ted in RI IN foLc
care of the honor of the country and Of the flag
and at the same time to preserve TIE rights of its
citizens. No authority has been given to any Com.
mander to hang men at his will and pleasure, fol
the "honor OF the fag' of his country. The idea is
mos; pernicous one. 1t is the essence of Lynch
law-the very personi6catlon Of "insolence In Of
fice"-and ifitbe not repudaed, condemned land ut.
terIy extirpated by the Court Martial in session.
the glorious discipline of the Navy will be condem.
ned by the American people as an intolerabe tyran
ny.
We suppose, after this mode of justification, that
Captain Mckenzie will say that the honor OF the
American flag also required that several young
American citizens should be tied up in sacks by the
neck, in order to prevent a mutiny. We wonder
that an additional order was not given to sing a
psalm to heaven, and give cheers to the banner o
the Cross, for the protection of the armed Com
mander and officers from those terrible boys tied Or
in the awful sacks. Verify, verify the tragedy Of
the Somers dscoses tissue of barbarity, injustice
homicide, effrontery, insoence, cowardice, farce
and folly, that unparalleled in the history OF
human nature
BRITISH CONSUL New YoRK.-We learn that
Anthony Barclay, Esq, has received his commits.
sisn, by the last steamer from England, of his ap
pcintment as British Consul of this port. This
removes at the doubt entertained that the abo-
litonists Of England.had prevailed on his govern
ment to revoke his appointment
The intelligence will give great satisfaction to
his friends, and the whole commercial community
of New York both American nd fore;ou