Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-01-31
SOUTHPORT TELEGRAPH.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 81, 1913.
THE SOMERS TRAGEDY.

An evident change has taken place in
public opinion, with regard to the Proprie-
ty Of the conduct of Capt Mackenzie and
his officers; in relation TO the Summary
execution of Spencer and his associates
Although nothing has been developed in
the investigation of the Court OF Inquiry,
calculated 10 present view of the case
materially different from that first given
TO the public, but time having been afford
ed for more cool elaboration Of the subject
many now begin to doubt seriously wheth-
er Spencer's summary execution was JUS
iifable under the circumstances. When
he fact Of the execution, was first commu-
nicated to the public, together with the &C.
count Of the threatened muliny, the bloody
purposes of the conspirators, and the muir
drrous deed. intended to be committed; the
combination was such as to shock public
feeling. and command ready approval Of
the vigian,. procedure Of Cap. Mackenzie
and his officers. But the first impulses Of
passion having been suffered to pass away,
the consequence is a reaction in the public
mind.
Mr.. Spencer, father of the young mid
shipman executed, has expressed deter
mlnation it is said, that whatever may be
the result Of the present inquiry, the case
shall be brought before the civu tribunals.
A regularly constituted civil court is the
only proper tribunal to determine the de-
gree of guilt or innocency which attaches
20 such a transaction. The present Court
Of Inquiry from its very constitution and
o5ject,s such S to preclude the possibility
of arriving at such result as will be sat-
is(ac.ory to the American people. The
whole scope Of the Inquiry is simply to
determine whether Capt. Mackenzie has
done any thing unbecoming the character
Of an officer Now what is becoming or
proper in the conduct Of an an officer, es-
pecially in the estimation Of board Of ma
val officers. who measure the conduct Of
those of their profession according to their
own arbitrary notions of honor and militia
ry usages, may be FAR from humanity or
justice. The officers Of the Navy claim
almost unlimited authority in the exercise
OF their cammand, and however they NAV
plead that stern necessity demands they
should be invested with supreme authority,
yet the enlightened sense Of the age affix-
es bounds, and limits their power within
the pale Of reason, justice. and humanity
If the lives Of these citizens Of the United
States have been taken by Capt. Mackenzie
and his officers, not in pursuance Of any
law, but upon their own possibility, then
surely the arrogant rules Of honor which
nigh, justify the act in the opinion of Ma
val Court Mar,ial, would fail to satisfy the
demands Of justice in the estimation OF the
people of,hs country. the act was jus:ifia-
Bile, it should be clearly proven 50. 1t is
not sufficen. to prove that a mutiny was
intended, but it should be shown that the
safety Of the crew could only be secured
by the death of those implicated. And up
on calm and disPassionate view Of the
subject. there is probably not one man in
a thousand who doubts, bu. that the vessel
could have been brought home in security,
without the death Of those charged with Inc
mutiny.