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

s tdt unless we wish to reWTtte This matter, and wn
IN letters OF blood we must preserve this relic OF bar
barsm and barbarty upon our statute books We mus
preserve his usage, lest naval history be written
oiood dr. II the reports that have been made to Of
nciaiy, and the very slight information which have
been able to acquire, are ueif the punishment inflicted
under tins law be true, and If il be the average punish
men 1t is the Tact that board all the naval vessels OF
the United States our history is written in blood
There stream oil living blood running from the back
OF the American sailor from the first day of January to
the last gay OF december; and if that is not writing the
senator expects But, sir, the exercise of this power
is carried further Under the exercise of this pure dis
cretlon--or indiscreon, as should deem tit is mat
ter OF history AS the world knows, that within short
time this punishment has been extended even to the
taking OF life OF American sailor without the naked
form OF trial. That sir, is matter of history; and
than one, two, three lives have been sacrificed
In that way.
Proud as OF the glsry which attaches to the
ted under this arbitrary power could be blotted out of
exstence-If the waves of oblivion could roll them
and hide them from man., thai human memory should
never recall them-if all these wrongs could be swal-
lowed up forever i'll that abyssI should be glad to
exchange all the glory which ars have ever won, if
by that means could ever blot them out | suppose,
sir that when the founder OF the great State Pennsylva
nia--and hope we shall have the votes of her sena
tors upon this question: suppose sir, that when he
made the experiment armed in nothing but the panoply
OF brOthery love and peace 10 dwell with the aboriginal
inhabitants OF this country, when that first proposed
to the mother power and those accustomed the ancient
asages OF the British realm they laughed the idea
manner except with weapons OF and instruments of
destruction. But, sir the experiment tried and it
has succeededsucceeded probably beyond the
gum hopes, rather the sanguine expectations of
hun who made the experiment.
And why. sir, should it be 500 Why should this class
who have done SO much to bring glory to the American
name and to the American flag-why should these
OF the battle and the breeze (as they have been temed
that have carried the fame of their proves to
the remocst shores OF the ocean, and that have pro.
tectcd the pursuits OF honest every sea-
why should this class OF citizens, proverbaIy gener
Gus, generous to fault be the only class even OF con-
victs that is subjected to this Illuminating and degrading
punishment Why is it, sir, that when, in most OF
the States OF this Union, the meanest fcOns that
be found IN the catalogue OF crne-why is it, say, that
subjected the degradation of the LASH when it has been
abolished in army, when it has been abolished al
most all over the and-why is it'll say, that this class of
citizens, 80 emnenty connec,ed with all that is rich in
the fame OF country should be left exposed to this
relic of barbarity!
Sir, let u. try the experiment We have tried what
the lash will do; we have tried what brutaZing the
sailor will dos we have tried what degradation will do
now let sir in view OF humanity. appeal
to these generous ars and il there be not ee-
mens OF high and generous and noble character, that
you may enlist and call to your aid for wholesome dis
clpne Tor what The senator has well termed the right
arm of your national service. Why is it, sir, that
while humanity lifting up her voice. and lifting
up for every other class OF the unfortunate and oppressed
the sailor should be left to have the finger OF pointed
at him forever as the only man. the only creature that
walks erect with the image OF God upon his countenancc,
that is still subjected 10 this degradation Sir do ask
the from North Carolina and the honorable Sem
ate to look at this subject in its relations humanity
deny utterly deny, the assertion which has been put
forth, that the sailors class, desire this degradation
has been my fortune. sir to know some sailors 1t
has been my fortune, 10 hear Rotations from some
of them of what they have seen and what they have felt
that have made my heart reco with horror at the very
mention OF the infection of such punishment know
how they feel They are men, and know that they are
men They cannot but have the common feelings OF HUI
manty.
One word MORE sir. 1t may be said that in making
these statements, in urging this measure, and making
these suggestions, | an bringing railing accusation
against the officers OF the American navy. Sir, would
do no such thing It is my good fortune to know many
of them and take this occasion in this place to say hum
bic as am. that more humane, more generous, and
more knd hearted set OF men am not acquainted with
But sir, as long as you retain this law upon your stat
ute book, it will be abused You might just well,
acy, undertake to regulate the passions Of the human
heart by law as TO regulate the exercise of arbitrary
power by law. Just as long as that is left upon the
statute book there will be unworthy men who will abuse
it; and just long it is left upon the statute book,
there will be worthy to suffer from it. 1t is because
would redeem the character of those men who do not
deserve IT, from this repoach and for the nds
Greet abuse OF the power-for now the whole navy is
liable to reproach for this abuse-that would urge this
amendment ! understand that there is now, or has
been-l may be mistaken, but SO am informed by au
hority which believe mysef-hat there has been very
lately tried BY court martial subordinate officer of the
navy for violation of the laws upon this subec and
what was the result The martial recommended that
he should be dismissed from the service; but so utterly
insignificant is offence of that kind considered that
penalty The officer is again invited 60 and repeat
this exercise of his discretion, ndiscretion may
be- believe that the interests OF the navy demand,
and mpcriously demand, the abrogaton of this law.
We all know that II has been carried to such
in the British navy, that it has produced mutiny The
only wonder Is, that it does not produce muny in our
navy If this continues must produce mutiny and it
ought to produce mutiny Whenever you undertake by
law to degrade man. to debase him, to put him sit
uaton for which God meant him, il is calculated
produce mutiny, it will produce mny, and it ought to
produce mutny. And when that shall come, the sympa
dertake to resist this infection under babarous act
Having said this much, leave the subject hoping that
the Senate will pass the amendment | have offered
Mr. ATHERTON. l think, by the rules of the SEN
ate, and by all parliamentary rules that the motion TO
strike out and insert, and the motion to strike out
two distinct motions, and that il is impossible by amend
ing to change it 10 the other
Mr. A. read from the rules TO su5stantiate this point
and proceeded
The senator canpot, therefore, by moving to amend
the motion TO strike out give his motion precedence TO
that recommended by the commtee because the motion
duced TO motion to strike out neither motion to
strike out be added to- by making motion to strike out
and insert.
The VICE PRESIDENT The Chair understands that
the amendment of the senator from New Hampshire Mr.
tlALEl is in order.
Mr. ATHERTON. / raise the question of order,
whether the motion of the gentle will moi be IN order
if the motion of the committee is rejected
The VICE PRESIDENT. 1t is the opinion of the
Presiding Officer that this is simply an amendment to the
amendment proposed by the chairman OF the committee
The only question before the Senate IS upon the amend
ment the amendment, by inserting the words proposed
by the senator from New Hampshire, Mr. HALE1 If
the Senate adopt the amendment TO the amendment thea
the question necessarily upon the amendment as
amended. q strike out and insert ..