The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-13

want to do one thing at time, sir. want to wipe
away this reproach from our navy hrst Inc senator
says have not brought facts do not intend TO go INTO
details This matter is before the American Senate, The
House Of Representatives have abolished far as they
behind us %s Ns The
ate, stand with living bodies and immortal souls
bulwark around the cato nine tails Ihis is the posi-
ton we occupy, and which will have TO occupy un
less we accede to this humane of the House.
But sir, it makes but little odds ultimately how this
Senate may decide this question to-day because SIR the
question has gone out 1t has been moved aye, sir 1t
has been agiiaed and it cannot stand still II cannot
stand the gaze of public light, and public scrutiny
One word more, sir The senator from North Carolina
her that have not heard from the Secretary of the
Navy Why have we not heard The table is loaded
with petitions upon this subject When had the honor,
subject the honorable chairman of the committee called
to Order and checked for undertaking to throw
any light upon the subject, because they had 80 many
piled upon memorias-and say this without impeach
ment OF that committee, because know they utterly
to this system of legslaonbut will venture to
say that you will not hear from them very soon.
But. sir, will trespass any longer the time of
the Senate. believe the question is fairly before the
Senate and however you may decide the great question
of humanity will be argued, and argued by humanity, be-
fore the tribunal of the peope-argued, sir, by human
hearts, in tones than the songs of angels and
soft as the memory of buried love- with force before
which the eloquence of the senator from North Carolina
even will he entirely useless.
Mr. YULEE. Mr. Presideat, desire to say few
words upon this matter II to there be
pOpriey in the amendment because the change proposed
is radical one and must be important in its
sequences and to that legislation of this de-
scripon ought not to be permitted by the Senate in this
manner, BY attaching to general appropriation bill
amendment OF this character without Its reference to
committee, and without opportunity TO investigate the
change proposed Now, SIR petitions have been pre-
sened upon this subject at this session. but at very late
period; and no meeting of the naval committee has
Cured since these petitions have been referred to it.
They intend to take up the subject and TO examine it
deliberately, and to report deliberately upon to this
body And if it should be necessary that there should be
any specific legislation, they will report bill in order
that the Senate may act upon the subject negenty and
But, Mr. President, do not see what occasion there
is for any action nowat all events, for any action out
,ers. Do find any difficulty filling the lists of our
navy? On the contrary our ships abundantly sup
piled with men. Do we find any complaint from the
sailors themselves! So far from it, we know that when
this subject before Congress the last session. the
only naval ship which enough to send its voice
to Congress presented petition, signed by her seamen
against the adjustment of this mode of punishment
absolutely forwarded petition, signed by every
on board protesting against the adjustment OF the
tom. Why did they do so, sir Because was the only
means by which good men board could be saved from
the necessity OF bearing the burden OF the unruy ones if
they were to be kept IN confinement as punishment for
their dsobedience.
shire by what means he proposes to discipline the
on board of ships Government must be maintained,
and how will he maintain II! BY the will Of the
majority on board! Perhaps the senator would pro.
pose that the commanding officer should be appointed
by vote OF the crew-hat the vessel should be little
republic where the should emanate from the peo
pie on board In what way. | say, will he maintain
government and discipline? For there must be dis
cipne maintained The only way, Sir, that can be done
is by the exercise OF seine arbitrary power-some disce
ton of the commander, the is exercised by the
master OF school, or the father OF family He must
be at liberty to such punishment as is necessary for
Now sir how many States have dispensed with corporal
punishment one of the necessary of maintain
ing order A few New England States may have abol-
ished it, but there are but very few other States
which have done so even shore. But on shipboard
what other punishment can be substituted for corporal
punishment! If you propose to stop their grog you will
prevent It's being made oae instrument Of punishment by
refusing an allowance 10 offenders. When you have
abolished the grog what will you resort 10 means
of punishment The only other mode will be that OF
confinement Now, can We, with regard TO the safety
of our ships infct confinement!
ship goes to sea upon long voyage OF three years.
and with complement of men. She takes the exact
number required to work her. and she take
because her limits cannot contain larger number
than is necessary to work her: can she do with
less without affecting. the safely and honor of your
flag She must, then, have the precise number prescrb
ed by law Now sir, the only substitute for fogyng, as
have remarked, is confinement, Well, to-day man is
put IN confinement tomorrow another IS placed there;
the next day another is guilty OF disobedence and he
put there AT the end OF SIX months you have half your
men in confinement, and your ship exposed to enemy
without the necessary hands to work her. the to
fight Now. sir, we must proportion means TO our
ends; and if the punishment OF confinement will not
swer, you must adopt corporal punishment 9TH
err which will maintain discipline, and at the time
will secure the necessary complement OF men to work
the ship.
But, sir would ask the senator from New Hampshire
whether he is aware to what extent whipping is permit
ted in the navy He speaks of it general evil Is
it SO II would be so, il il permitted without
srction; but that is not the No officer on board
the ship permitted to do but the commander himself
He cannot delegate that authority without violating the
regulations. and being subjected to dismisson himself
He is restricted by law-restricted. not only with regard
to his power to administer punishment, but 10 the
number OF stripes which he may infct The command
ing officer is permitted to inhict than twelve
ashes. He must do that on his order, and on his
punishment by whipping which he directs and to present
upon his return home TO the department full record OF
all the punishments which he has authorized board
ship. Sir, this is heahfu control is the only
troll which you adopt consistently with the interests
of the service and the maintenance OF order on board
the ship 1t must be given to the commander and fixes
upon him responsibility which obiges him to keep
himself within the limits of humanity and duty Punish
men may also be inflicted by of a court-mar-
tia but no otherwise. And venture TO say, sir, that in
any report which represented Of punshmenls inflicted
board ship Of war of the United States the probability
found to have been inflicted within the period OF
time any of the States of this Union upon the
Der OF cuprits brought before courts. But there is
great mistake with regard TO the character Of this punish
ment Most of it is inflicted with the colt, and not
with the cato nine tails 1t is inflicted with nothing
more than small rope-not upon the bare back, but
over the shirt OF the sailor This is not more painful
than the punishment by the ferule of the school
master. Now, sir, if the senator proposes TO abolish
corporal punishment, let him proceed by presenting
the subject in general form, and let it extend TO
schools and families, and to the merchant service
wel IN the navy Let the subject of Whipninr