The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-30

The New Naval Unl6orA.
There Is nothing of puAlie interest at present
exciting moro attention than our naval establish
housekeeping, it may be, the intrigues Of Presi-
dent makng-and the probabilities are, that before
the grand contest for the chief magistracy is con-
cluded, naval reform win become an element of the
battle
Aftera Rip Van Wrinkle slumber of half Q. century.
the people waking to the fact that their interests
are more concerned in reform of the navy than in
many Of the questions hung upon the banners of
Presidential candidates. 1t involves principles.
national reputation, and vast sums of money.
From all parts Of the country the press is daily
calling attention to the anti national character Of
our navyts adaptation only to " foreigners and to
jail brds"--ts Anticipated usages, inefficient officers
Star Chamber judicial system of an rresponsi BILE
despotism; and lately the "Star' correspondent Of
the Independent has thrown before the public
the fact that an American commodore and captain
can be SO denatonalized as to shrink in horror from
the cries Of liberty and lend mean efforts to suppress
them, lest they should compromise the flag of H.
berty--the flag of this republc-the flag Of that
land which on fourths of July we sing as
:" The land Of the free and the home of the brayen
nation have believed that its meteor flag was in such
keeping !-doomed, at despot's bidding, to sneak
from the acknowledgment Of those principles which
have impaired all the brilliancy of its constela-
ton.
Again, Graham's Magaeiae for April in most
able article upon 8 What Glory Costs the Nation,
shows that the annual expense of single ship Of
the line would sustain four universities such rs Har
ward; that the yearly expense of every gun carried
over the ocean is $4,000 and that the cost of the
Maryland such navy--is more than all the profits
of the entire mercantile marine.
With such facts and such agitation in the public
mind, the navy began to think il must bestr itself
and do something in tue matter, and, accordingly
board was organized to alter the uniform. Three
oficers-a captain, at three thousand FIVE hundred
doll rs; commander, at two thousand one hundred
dollars and lieutenant, at one thousand five
hundred dollars-were the man milliners, who, if
they have not blazoned their names in battle have
identified their fame with this movement Of progress
Sober, sensible people, you who have thought
navy officer might be something useful, do not be
moved from your gravity yet There are great prin-
ciples in this uniform business, and it may be the
subject Of real reformation Savages rely upon paint
feathers, and bones to impress their brother savage
and those who, by artificial arrangements, boon
slid into stations above their abilities, rely upon the
trick Of snowy and glttering costume, t. impress
the popular mind and to excite Difference TO which
the natural character Of the individual has no
claim Hence we have coronation and parliamentary
robes, with all the glded decorations Of military
service. The coronation and the parliamentary
robes we have done away with from our rulers and
our Senator's, and the sleeps fleece from the heads
of our judges When the papers made the important
that board Of distinguished officers
had the uniform under discussion, it was reasonable
to suppose that the object was to arrange it upon
the simple, dgnified, and useful character of our
for the dazzling of savage smpli-
city, nothing for false distinction, but only those
plain distinctive marks which would serve to indi-
cate duties and station twas to be hoped that our
officers going to justify public expectation and
assert the influence of real and vigorous character
independent Of the adventitious aid of ornament
The Little Corporal in his plain gray coat, was
tSfe darmtc and the master of gilded kings.
The Hon. Edward Everett says:-'' have trod
den with emotion the threshold ofWestmnster Hall,
and the Palace Of Justice in France thought with
respect Of long line Of llustrious Chancclors and
Judges, surrounded with tho insignia of Office,
clothed in scarlet and ermine who, within these
splendid halls, have, without fear favor. admins
tered justice between powerful litgants. Bat it is
with deeper emotions Of reycrenco-it is with
thing like awe--that ] have entered the Supreme
Court Mt Washington. = 1t i: because have
seen there specimen of the perfection of the moral
sublime in human Affairs. have witnessed when,
of ~
power. from the lips Of some grave and venerable
magistrate the voice Of justice and equity has gone
forth to the most powerful States Of the Union, add
the law between citizens Of Independent
States, settling dangerous controversies, adjusting
disputed boundaries, annulling unconstitutional
laws, reversing erroneous decisions"
Instead Of making attempt to approach the
principles Of this specimen Of the moral sublime"
the public expectation meets in this board sad dis
ppointment-' pa,trium monies, naSc,tur mus"
The uniform is out and here Of its absurdi
ties beginning at the top. great three-conered
pyramidal, ugly, unsightly, uncomfortable. expen-
sye cooked hats neither useful, ornamental, APP
propriate, and taking up the limited room in man
war which might better be filled with supplies
for the inside Of the head coats with bands Of gold
lace an inch and half wide around the collar;
several bands Of gold lace around the cuffs, and
bands of gold lace down the legs Of the pantaloons-
making our republican navy officers look-cocked
hats, epaulettcs gold lace, and a-like the livered
footmen of some lazzaroni nobleman and it is par
ticulary enjoined that upon all occasions and per-
sons-hot or cold FalstaT or Calvin Edson-the
coat is always to be worn fully buttoned.
But what does this mean ! Here are officers,
termed, in this uniform regulation, civil officers"
but with the same cooked hats, swords, epaulettes,
&C., and they are to undergo military muster.
and be tried by court-martial if not in military
costume. This seemed contradiction between the
facts and the term fearing that either the board,
everybody else, had mistaken the meaning Of our
mother tongue, We turned to the pages Of Webster.
i" Civil Latin, cirais, from ciuis, citizen. 1t
is distinguished from ecclesiastical which respects
the church, and from military, which respects the
army and navy" This term is often employed
in contrast with military; as a civil hospital"