Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-08-16
FLoGGING IN THE NAVY.

some time past and various opinions been advanced both by
the press and the public the good i'll effects Of such
mode of punishment Of preserving discipline in
the Navy the writer Of this article therefore begs leave
offer few remarks which based knowledge Of many
years experience and the time draw comparison
between the Of discipline il is and it former
y existed under the regulations which authorized the inc
ton Of the lash.
iii is necessary keep up Navy for purposes Of nation
Defence sustain the national honor, resist aggression
in time Of need, guard seaboard and maritime
from the ruthless avages Of invading foe, and impress
foreign nations with correct conception of power and
capably, besides ading protection to commercial in
terests in r-dssn lands IL repeat is requisite main
tain naval establishment for such and other like purposes
then it is assuredy evident that such force should be kept
in reputable style credit to the country for its morality
discipline, patriotism and efficiency for active service at all
times and under all circumstances.
There few situations in life, however, in which many
restless disconnected, and desperate spirits to be found
congregaed together within the ccumscrbed limits Of
man-of war, and who only be kept within moderate
bounds by coercion and the strong Of the law. Nor
there many persons, presume, who at all acquainted
with ssa-ang life and the naturally rebeioas character Of
seamen who will be found to dispute the absolute necessity
Of strict and proper discipline, clockwork system
pecialy in the Navy And carry out such system re-
quisie should and in fac. must be afforded to the Of
6cers do So in order enable them to uphold their a-
thority.
But has been much the fashion for the last few years.
with certain class Of anatca medde who are inter-
fering with things which they have little any knowledge Of
to affect overweening and misplaced sympathy for the
"poor oppressed Sailors they them, and to level
wholesale TRADE Of abuse the officers invariably such
occasions condemnng the latter however enen and just
their may be- and usng the former for their reckless
and bad conduct thus by such means, nsdousy TO-
enting wanton spirit Of dsobedence most preudcial
the interests Of the service. .@ @s4f
Though evil and very great one, too 10 that Of
corporal punishment yet is necessary one that
well be dispensed with, let morass and
pists say what they will the contrary It might however
be greatly modified and when requisite to beinfcted (which
ought to be rarely possbe should be proportional to
the nature Of the offence and meet the ends justice not
crafty any private malice spirit Of revenge being
taken, such occasions to observe much Formally
possible and to impress the delinquent with due Of
the enormity Of his offence.
Under the laws Of the naval service which permitted the
infection Of corporea punishment the discipline general
~ well maintained, though the lash by admin
sered with the cruel severity which many have been
ouy led suppose by interested persons whose only object
deceive the public. So far in fact such from be-
ing the case that great many sailors would, matter Of
choice, have preferred taking their quota from the boatswans
mate than have their allowance Of grog stopped in lieu
thereof Yet hanging in eoem their heads il served
wholesome check to curb the unruy and keep them
within bounds. Another thing should be borne Ia mind viz
that the good who had much cause ia
far from ia the really bad the only ones who had
to pay the penalty.
But how stands the since the have disappear
ed Why the question is easily answered Every man now
just acts and does pretty much he thinks fit and the
thoy Of the officers and the laws of the Government are net
defiance not BY the real seamen, but by Of awIess
desperadoes who form BY far the portion Of
each ships company thus verifying the truth Of the sdase
F" when the 'cats are out, the mice can play"
As il is not my intention to 60 into any lengthy argument
the subject will merely venture to remark for the nfor
nation Of those "phanthr,pic individuals who exsred
themselves 50 theoretically procure the abolition Of corpo
real punishment that their endeavos have by any
been appreciated they would have wished that the change
which has been effected Is very unpopular that good men
with great difficulty be induced to the service and
in place Of being thanked for their trouble by the Jack
Tsn," they set down Is a set Of Lubbery Asses"
NEPTUNE.
81