The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-24
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL.
Washinrfan
ICorr spondeDte Of the Herald.l
WASVINGToN Anil % 1910


WASHINGTON, April %, 1s43
Mr.. We6sfer's RdIn-Somers Case-Deep Interest
Fsh-John G. Spencer.
The return of Mr.. Webster to this city, and his
anticipated resignation, excites no little interest
His resignation, think, is beyond all doubt
The engrossing topic here is the sentence of the
Court in the Mckenzie case. The finding of the
Court Martial produced little amazement; for il
certainly is at variance with the settled conviction
of the public mind, and with what is reported and
positively claimed to be the unanimous opinion of
the Cabinet and what is understood to be the OPT
Mon of seven members of the Court.
The Somers lease is, and ever must be, one of
thrilling interest. 1t furnishes crisis in the short
yet eventful history of our gallant navy. The pen
of history recorded deeds Of more heroic and
chlvarous daring, and the scroll of fame is enrich
ed by no brighter names than those that have been
furnished by the American navy. The true and
Jndlcious friends of the navy have been filled with
dread at the attempt that has been made to vndi-
cate the tragedy OF the Somers, and not only to
screen It's principal actor, but 10 claim for HIM new
honors, and brighter fame The horrible affair of
man liberty and human life may be sacrificed to
alay the fears OF commander to minister to his
crude and false notions OF slbordinaton and dis
ciPine, engeRderedby vanity. and nurtured by men-
man liberty and human life are too sacred to yield
to any other power than that of stern, unavoidable
and MEMORABLE necessity, Then freeman may be
| fettered with irons-and then he may be torn kom
family and friends, decorating the tenderest feelings
OF the human heart, and spreading gloom and desc
atl0n over the domestic hearth, and over the hopes
and prospects, OF those more. intimately allied to
him. But unless such necessity exists, no matter if
ten thousand brighter names sh0ne upon the historic
page OF our navy; no matter ften thousand brighter
deeds covered It with glory, the American navy
Iyunl hnpn hxaxs yarI a.
| pub lie OF freemen. II would become very stink
| in the nostrils; and public opprobrium and execra-
ton would settle upon il. care not il the mighest
| armada OF Europe would quail before it-f the
| thunders OF our cannon caused every throne on
earth to tremble and if the gallant bearing of our
tars inspired respect in every quarter OF the GLOBE
| one murder OF an American freeman by the arbi-
trary and lawless power OF despotIC commander,
| sanctioned and countenancedby the navy, must tar
nsh Its glory and awake one deep and universalex-
expression otpublic indignation Whether on land or
at the spirit andgenuso our laws and institutions
throw the sacred mantle of their protection around
the humblest and poorest citizen; and the humblest
| man in the crew of the Somers, by God, by nature
and by the law of the land, has secured to him the
| same rights, and the same protection the most
| distinguished officer that ever walked an American
deck, Strange, indeed, would it be if the American
navy were the tyrant's home, and the despot's
throne; and if the freeman, who left the peace and
security OF his fresde to encounter the dangers of
the deep In his countrys service, should be exposed
to the lawess violence, or the coward fears of
Public opinion will settle this great question right,
and all fear is, that the effort made to screen and
| justify Mckenzie will expose our gallant navy to
prejudice and popular hostility. Where in this broad
| land, was the shocking affair of the Somers pal
lated and sotened was by the representations
| OF the friends OF Mckenzie, announced at the do.
nestle tleslde, without producing thrill of horror?
and where was the parent who did not cling to his
| son and vow that the American navy should never
| witness the lawless execution Of his child and
where was thelmother. whose son was enrolled upon
| Heaven that he might speedily be released from
service where chains and blood, punishment and
death were made to allay fear and to feed false and
diseased appetite tor renown!
l have but a moment to advert to the relation of
| Mr. Secretary Spencer to this question. II was a
| delicate and trying one, and most nobly did he sus.
| tain himself His bearing has been that of ten
der and oectlonate parent filled with anguish at the
cruel death OF his son, well as that of high mind
ed patriot submitting the to the law and the
legally constituted tribunals of the country. Pure
and elevated as has been his course in all this mat
ter, he has been charged with bringnsIotical nfu-
| ence to bear against Mckenzie. Nothing can be
| more false. Never was Mr. Spencer present a mo-
| ment in the Cabinet when this question was under
| discussion, and never did he exchange word con-
corning it with the President the Secretary of the
| Navy. He abstained most carefully from all inter-
ference, and from the exerlon of official influence
| on this subject. This is well known here, and am
well assured that every member OF the Cabinet will
Mr. Spencer utter one word to the President on the
| subject, and never did they in any way communi~
cate concerning it. Yet to sustain Mckenzie and to
| excite some sympathy in his favor, the Islander has
been gotten up that official influence was sought to
| be directed against him.