The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-20
For the Southern Press
Relies of Scraps and Musings.
No. 81.

.
rAMpERING WITH THE DISCIPLINE OF THE NAVY
Some sixteen or eighteen years ago, the as
sistant steward of an American ship.of-war on
foreign station, was detected in stealing H.
ouors. and other articles belonging to the stores
of which he had charge. He was punished Sc
yerely. as 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 a man of very considerable
talents, spoke well, 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 inJu-
rious to the vital interests Of the country,
few additional restraints were, however, i'm
posed on the discretionary exercise of the right
ofHogging.
Disappointed in his expectations OF revolu-
tionizing the navy, this convicted Thief, WIN
that species of instinct which seems common
characteristic Of rogues, set himself down 10
Boston. the hot bed for oil sorts of excitements.
Shrewd, cunning, and indcfatigable, he managed
to get up public meetings, where be 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;e,ies were instituted; lectures delivered and
sermons preached for the purpose of enstlng
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
shipman and mates.
In a government like ours, the sympathes OF
the people act directly and inevitably on their
rulers, most especially their immediate repre-
sentatives. and this soon became apparent in the
interference Of Congress with subject the
members cannot understand, and with which
they ought not to interfere but with great deli.
cacy and caution. The result, however, of this
agitation and excitement has been an almost
entire change in the penal code Of the navy,
carving with il the abolition Of hogging, and
aprroxmating as far as possible to the code Of
civil punishments applicable 10 citizens. The
rights of citizens have been COMPOUNDED with
those Of individuals, who have voluntarily sub
;.cted 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 Off 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 al times The means
Of protecting their commerce, and defending
their rights against the aggressions Of foreign
,owers! And in order that these means may be
eff lent at all times, is It not indispensable that
strict system Of military discipline and sub.
ordination shoull be established and maintained
Were il not for this purpose, would snot be
the highest proof Of folly and absurdity to be
paying every year such enormous sums for the
support of the army and navy, when an undis-
cpned militia and an equally undisciplined
navy, called out to meet any sudden exigeuey,
would do just as we'll, if discipline is of so little
/. consequence All know that it takes much
longer time to make sailor than soldier.
One can be disciplined on the land, the other re-
duires the vice ocean for his sphere. He IL
carried at all times beyond the restraint Of any
other law but that of discipline, and the habit of
implicit obedience is indispensable, not only to
the safety of officers, but the success Of every
operation in which he is engaged. To enforce
this discipline on man SO wild, maynard, and
thoughtless as sailors, who may almost be said
20 belong to another world, punishment must
be prompt,as well as exemplary. It should be
inflicted at once, and there an end. It will not
do to convert our vessels Of war into prison.