The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-23
From Herman .Melriile's White Jacket.

MTDsHIPMEN ENTERING THE NAVY EARLY.-The
alluson in the preceding chapter to the early age
at which some Of the midshpmen enter the navy,
suggests some thong hts relative TO more important
considerations.
A very general modern impression seems to be,
that in order to learn the profession of sea-ofi-
Ger, boy can hardly be sent to sea too early. To
certain extent, this may be mistake. Other
professions, involving knowledge of TECHNICAL
ties and things restricted to particular field Of
action, are frequently matured by men who begin
after the age of twenty-one, even at later
period OF life. 1t was only about the middle of
the seventeenth century that the British military
and naval services were kept distinct. Previous
to that epoch, the kings officers commanded in
differently, either by sea or by land
Robert Blake, perhaps one of the most accom-
pshed, and certainly one Of the most successful
Admirals that ever hoisted flag, was more than
half a century old (ffty-one years. before he en-
tered the naval service, or had aught to do, pro-
turn, and, after leaving Oxford, resided quietly
his estate, country gentleman, till his forty
second year, after which he became con-
nected with the Parliamentary army.
The historian Clarendon says of him, " He
was the first man that made it manifest that the
science (seamanship) might be attained in less
! time than was imagined" And doubtless it was
to his shore sympathies that the well-known hui
mainly and kindness which Blake evinced in his
intercourse with the sailors is in large degree
be imputed.
Midshipmen sent into the navy at a very early
age, are exposed to the passive reception Of all
the prejudices Of the quarterback in favor Of an
cient usages, however useless pernicious; those
preiudices grow up with them and sodify with
their very bones. AS they rise in rank, they
naturally carry them up, whence the nveterate
repugnance of many Commodores and Captains
to the slightest innovations in the SERVICE however
salutary they may appear to andsmen.
! 1t is hardly to be doubted that, in matters
nected with the general welfare of the navy, Gov
| eminent has paid rather too much Difference to
the opinions of the officers of the navy consider
ing them as men almost born to the service, and
therefore far better qualified to judge concerning
any and all questions touching it, than people on
shore. But in Il nation under liberal constitu
ton it must ever be unwise to make too distinct
and peculiar the profession Of either branch of its
military men. True, in a country like ours, no.
thing at present to be apprehended Of their gain
ing political rule but not little is to he sppre-
hended concerning their perpetuating creating
abuses among their subordinates, unless civilians
have full cognizance Of their administrative affairs
and account themselves competent to the complete
overlooking and ordering them.
We do wrong when we in any way contribute
to the prevailing justification that has been thrown
about the internal affairs of the national sea-ser
vice. Hitherto those affairs have been regarded
even by some high state functionaries as things
beyond their insight-atogether too technical and
mysterious to be fully comprehended by lands
men. And this it is that has perpetuated in the
navy, many evils that otherwise would have been
abolished in the general amelioration of other
things. The army is sometimes remodeled, but
the navy goes down from generation to generation
almost untouched and unquestioned, as II Its code
were inallible, and itself piece of perfection that
no statesman could improve. When Secretary
Of the Navy ventures to innovate upon its estab-
lished customs, you hear some Of the navy Off
GERS saw, What does this landsman know about
our affairs? Did he ever head watch' He does
not know starboard from larboard, grit line from
back-stay."
While we deferentally and cheerfully leave to
navy officers the sole conduct Of making and short
ening sail, lacking ship, and performing other
nautical maneuvres, as may seem to them best,
let us beware of abandoning to their discretion
those general municipal regulations touching the
well-being of the great body Of men before the
mast let us beware Of being too much influenced
by their opinions in matters where it is but natu-
raj to suppose that their long established preju-
dices are enlisted.