The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-19
For the Southern Press.
Relies Of Scraps and Musings.
No. 81.

O--
No. 81.
rAmpRRING WITH THE DISCIPLINE OF THE NAVY.
Some sixteen or eighteen years ago, the as
sistapt steward Of ON American ship-of-war on
a foreign station, was detected in stealing IL
ouors. and other articles belonging to the stores
Of which he had charge. He was punished Sc
verely, az he well deserved, for he had not only
committed crime, but violated confidence
placed in him. On returning from the cruise,
this man came to the Navy Department to CON-
plain, not only of his own punishment but OF
the general tyranny which he stated was almost
universally practiced in the navy of the United
States. He was man Of very considerable
talents, spoke WE'LL and had he spoken the
truth, his case might well demand the attention
of the department The Secretary, as happen
to know, accordingly directed strict enquiry
not only into this particular case, but the entire
administration of the penal code Of the navy,
which resulted in the conviction that its relaxa-
ton in any material point would be highly mJu-
r;ous 10 the vital interests of the country. A
faw additional restraints were, however, i'm
posed on the discretionary exercise of the right
Of logging.
Disappointed in his expectations of reyolu-
tionizing the navy, this convicted thief, with
that species of instinct which seems common
characteristic of rogues, set himself down IN
Roston. the hot bed for all sorts of excitements.
Shrewd, cunning, and interchangeable, he managed
to get up public meetings, where he painted
the horrors of naval discipline in all the colors
Of the rainbow, and melted the tender hearts OF
all who heard him. The infection spread; So
c;eties were instituted; lectures delivered; and
sermons preached, for the purpose Of enlisting
the sympathies of philanthropy in behalf of the
poor sailor. BY degrees the opinion generally
prevailed that the system of punishments in the
navy, as well as mercantile marine, was one OF
wanton, unmitigated tyranny, and that there
was no limit to its exercise but the discretion
of every officer, from the commander to the mid
shipmau and mates,
In government like ours, the sympathies of
the people act directly and inevitably on their
ru,ers. most especially their immediate repre-
seutatives, and this soon became apparent in the
;nterference of Congress with a subject the
members cannot understand, and with which
thew ought not to interfere but with great deli
cocv and caution. The result, however, of this
agitation and excitement has been an almost
entire change in the penal code of the navy,
carrv;ng with it the abolition of fogging, and
aprroximating as far as possible to the code OF
.;vil punishments applicable to citizens. The
,r;ohts of citizens have been COMPOUNDED with
those of individuals, who have voluntarily sub
iected themselves to code of laws founded on
entirely different principles, and to whom the
extension of these rights, would undermine and
destroy the whole system.
For what purpose do the people ofthe United
States pay annually some ten or fifteen mil
lions for the support of the navy and army Is
il not that they may have at all times the means
ne nrotectipg their commerce, and defending
their rights against the aggressions of foreign
rowsrs? And in order that these means may be
eff lent at all times, is it not indispensable that
a strict system of military discipline and sub
ordination should be established and maintained
Were it not for this purpose, would 1t not be
the highest proof of folly and absurdlty TO be
paying every year such enormous sums for The
support of the army and navy, when an undls-
ciplined militia and an equally undiscipllned
navy, called out to meet any sudden exigency,
would do just as well, if discipline is of so little
consequence All krow that it takes much
longer time to make sailor than soldier.
One can be disciplined on the land, tho other re-
ou;res the vice ocean for his sphere. He is
carried at all times beyond the restraint of any
other law but that Of discipline, and the habit of
,mn,;cit obedience 10 indispensable, not only to
The s.fetv of officers, but the success Of every
operatiou in which he is engaged. To enforce
this discipline on man so wild, wayward, and
thouahtless AZ sailors, who may almost be said
70 belong 10 another world, punishment must
be prompt, a. we'll as exemplary. ltshould be
inflicted It once, and there an end 1t will not
do to convert our vessels Of war into prison.