The New York herald., 1851-07-17
FLooess IN THE NAvy.-According to all ap-
strong effort will be made by the old

pearances, strong effort will be made by the old
fogies Of the navy, to impress upon the Secretary
Of the Navy the imperative necessity of restoring
the Of the cat and the colt, as cans of paa-
ishmentOn board our vessels of war. The Secretary
has required all the commanders in the navy TO re-
port to him the discipline board of their vessels
since the abolition Of this barbaross method Of cor
rection, together with such opinions as they might
think proper to give on the subject. From what
We have lately heard, it is probable that quite
number of them will report in favor Of repeating
the law Of last session, and of restoring the lash
The friends of humanity, who worked so faith
fully and successfully in procuring the abolition OF
fogging in the navy, mus. not imagine that their
work is finished. They must adopt measures in
time to counteract the efforts which, we have every
reason to believe, being made to inhu-
enee the Secretary of the Navy to recon
mend the repeal Of the law and return to
the lash. They must not remain idle, whilst super
annuated officers are endeavoring to undo what has
been done in favor of the poor sailor Another
effort on their part will be necessary and after that,
it will be impossible for commanders to succeed
in what many of them are attempting to effect in
this respect. 1t has been demonstrated TO the salts
faction Of every one, except few old fashioned
commanders, whose ideas on this and other sub
jec,s are as ancient as they are themselves,
that the best Of discipline can be maintained
on board Of our ships of war without fog
ging. 1t has been proved that for one case in
which its use vas attended with beneit, in ninety
nine others the parties punished and the efficiency
of the navy were injured by it. We could refer in
proof that discipline be maintained without
the lash better than with it, to the cruise of Com
modore Stockton in the Pacific during the Mexican
war, and more recently TO a letter from Captain
Mcintosh, of the United States frigate Congress,
the flag ship of Commodore McKeever's squadron,
which confirmed all that Commodore Stockton had
repeatedly stated on the subject. That letter
written to a friend, who, knowing that we were al
ways in favor Of the abolition of corporeal punish
ment in the navy, handed it to US for perusal.
Through mistake, we published it in full. Il went,
however, to sustain US in the position which
sumed, and which We shall continue to hold until
better reasons for changing il than any that
have yet been adduced by those who differ with US.
The discipline which then prevailed on board that
ship-which was the first that left port after the
abolition OF the cat-we are happy to say, remains
unchanged although Capt. Mcintosh, who is rigii
disciplinarian has no difficulty with his crew,
and is as popular with them ever, notwithstand-
ing that they know hogging has been done
away with. We have no doubt that from other
vessels similar accounts will be received: but
there is reason to fear that captains will give
blue reports of want Of discipline, which, in many
cases We are sure, can, in justice and equity, DC at
tributed to their own conduct towards their crews
more than TO the abolition Of fogging.
We hope, therefore, that the friends of the sailor
will not diyest themselves of their armor yet
awhile, but that they will hold themselves in readi-
ness to fight egain in the of justice and hu.
manity, in case the Secretary Of the Navy should
recommend, in his next report, return to corporeal
punishment, for the purpose Of maintaining disci-
pline among the crews OF our national vessels.
With such proofof good discipline before US among
the crew Of line of battle ship of sxtyfour guns,
like the Congress-picked up at random in the city
OF New iork-we cannot see any ex:use for
peang the law Of last session. II is in the highest
degree ereditaSls to the seryice-especially as it
il exhibited in "a hag shin.