New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-21
Rum and FIogging i'm the Navy-yicws
Of DIR. Mott.

The following letter from the venerable
President Of Union College to the Sailor
champion of Naval Reform will be found
full Of Christian truth, which is as applica-
bic on land as on water. Though it be su-
perfuous on our part to 90 so, we commend
il to a general and thoughtful perusal.
Usos CoLLEsa June 10, 1850.
DEAR SIR: Your favor is at hand. Ny own
opiuon bss been that the two objects in which you
are enssged should BE- prosecuted together-rum-
drinking and whipping operating reciProcaiy as
cause ard effect. Bat having seen Mr.. Delavan,
and heard from General Cooke Of Virginia, AN
co1tent to surrender my opinion, and cooperate IA
Getting rid Of the spirit rstioas. And l DO
ms 10 the hope that the getting rid Of hoggng
will follow That this relic OF oaroaroqs age wlll
,bortly be felt 10 be disgrace 10 the Navy OF an
enlightened, free people have 10 e91or No'
bsveI any doubt that when y shall have been
tIspdoued, as abandoned it VII be, Il VII. De iouni
,Let roptinv and dsobedience will be Of less ire
onent occurrence than they are now
II is oppression, not kindness, that elsewhere
nrovokes resistance; and see not Why It should
Ee otherwise on ship board and among sailors
Fve,vtbine AZ sea- and in a community separated
1-o,, ;be rS,t of mankind, and sharing common pr
vst;ors. and exposed 70 common dangers, m1st
con ritu.e TO give the officers influence and domui,
;cn over tbe men Iadeed, II sailors are men ard
nf,sesa the common sympaihles OF our Common
Iefpre. nothing but want OF talent or want o. kind
ress could prevent this. With the Advantages
which bis education ard his position giye, com
,,srJer at sea. be must ia my judgement, - waDt-
;rr In tbo,e attributes which qualify iof corknahi
lie cannot Is a general rule, control, the senti-
yrer,s ard the ac,s Of those under hin fnuca more
efIectpsl,v without than with the influence Of the
colt ard the cat. There may be exceptions, q !.
NIT 10 our common humanity; and there may be
individual sailors s. hardened by crime, and SO de-
hased by hoeging aud rum, thst corporal punish
rnent may be found indispensable IN their case
but these will be found exceptions merely, and
with these even, less degrading punishment viii be
more efeciual than Hogging AID sides, Il rum
be Withheld, il vii be found that men OF this sort
can be Influenced by moral motives, and when re-
moved from temptation, BY being shut NJ 90 sli3-
board, may in most il Stances be won beck ~ sell
respect and submission 10 authority BY kindness.
There are few hearts on land am quite sure, and
appreheud There are few a:sea, that have 5eoo ne
SO indurased that they no longer respond 70 HAD.
ness.
90 not doubt thst commanders who whip are,
1ctwitl standing, often wise, humane and good
men. They found whipping in existence when
they entered the Navy; the sailors with whm
they became acquainted had been trained up
under the lesb, and under the existing systems
which dispensed run on the one hand to cause
offenders the cat and the colt seemed necessary 70
punish them on the ether. 1t is always difficult to
chsnge system that has been long in use, and dit.
fcult to convince those accustomed 10 administer
il, whatever its vice that it ought 10 be changed
Bot wherever human hearts are concerned, cruelty
may be exchanged for kindness with great safety,
if the men " no make the change are themselves
capable Of applying in becoming manner the sub
stituted discipline. And when it shall come 70 be
so applied, ii j. shall be found that Increased
kirdfess leads 70 increased characterization aAd
neglect OF duty, it viii have produced develop
ment ofhuman nature never before witnessed and
contrary to the experience of all past ages.
Wishing you success in your lsudsble under
taking, | sm yours, &c. ELIPH'T. MOTT.
WATSON @ HAYNES ESQ.