The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-09

and usages of sound Legislation by thrusiing inas an
amendment upon general appropriation bill Qhe civil
and diplomatic bill, II i am not mlslaken)-thls pro-
yiso TO abolish the punishment by oggng in the navy
and although as you know, MIR. President vast mum,
Der OF petitions and applications upon this subject had
been received by the Senate and referred 10 the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs, and. as know, that committee had
been diligently engaged in collecting information from
every quarter whence could be obtained and were ex
ceedngy DESTROYS OF presenting 10 the Senate
uTe OF Improvement by means OF which, in case IL was
deemed necessary TO preserve the OF the lash, the
power OF the officer could be preserved and at the same
time its hasy excessive application prevented and
while had the materials ready TO make report which
we fell persuaded, would be worthy the consideration
OF the Senate-although without any inquiry. with.
out any investigation except few moments dis
cussion in this chamber this proviso attached TO
that appropriation bill and passed through this body
say, notwithstanding all this for one, not now for
touching H. want the policy OF the country upon that
subject 10 be settled We have become dissatisfied with
our past experience the glores OF the navy, the adm
rabe state in which has always maintained itself and
performed Its duties towards the country under the an
cen discipline, have failed TO give satisfaction upon
this point Now want no frequent, changes in the dis
cpline OF the navy want the problem worked out by
actual experiment whether this species OF punishment is
necessary to the navy or not We can ascertain that
ent system f shall prove TO be entirely inadequate,
and shall TO be necessary TO restore the punish
ment with proper safeguards against its abuse If they
by community satisfied that the punishment is
say one, and may then hope TO have rest upon
the subject, and escape from all further agitation with
for my own part, have disposition TO have the sub.
ect OF this memorial further noticed at this session If
the honorable senator from New Jersey Mr. STocKToNl
prefers l. for one, perfectly willing that this petit
ton shall be laid upon the table, and not be called up
again. want hasty changes, backwards forwards,
on this subject. assure that honorable gentleman that
if our naval services be carried with efficiency
and its character maintained without resortng to thai
punishment shall be reluctant to see it restored
any can be. opposed to aboshng it, because
thought il necessary TO retain it, But if il is found
TO be unnecessary to retain this mode OF punishment
then shall be much opposed to It's restoration as
was to lis abolition. am indifferent as to the reference
of this petition to the Committee Naval Affairs For
the present, am willing to let il 60 upon the table with
fur s eGHsdsaqp heretofore
to look up the honorable senator from North Carolina
Mr.. BADcERl for counsel upon important matters and
have always mad great pleasure in Mn hm
much may regard the individual-however much
may his great requirements and great learning
must say 10 the Senate that do not think the gentleman
from North Carolina Mr. BADGER] has treated my argu
ment with fairness by any means He has made his own
have myself refuted them. His speech to have
been characterized by that kind of sentimental levy
which does no, appear to me to be in very good taste
perhaps would been in perfectly good taste towards
any senator but appears 10 that, situated am,
had right TO expect something little considerable
from that gentleman The last thing had right 10 ex.
pect 10 have my arguments attempted TO be turned
into rdicule
Mr. BADGER. beg pardon of the senator. intend.
MIR. STOCKTON. That was the way i, appeared to
me. The gentleman, any rate, took advantage OF the
opportunity to display TO the Senate, at the expense Of
my arguments, the versatility of his genius and his
psychological and classical erudition.
But in reality there nothing that The said
that seems to me to be worthy OF any reply, with one
ceepiion and II seems TO be necessary Tor 10 say
something IN reply to that not on my own account but
account OF the subject The honorable says
slave; and then he went on TO institute comparison be-
tween their punishmenls in very facetious manner.
But the point want TO bring the senator down TO before
the Senate is this: In the first place, all that have ask
ed for the American sailor is that he should be treated
like an American citizen. | ask nothing more. Now,
ask the honorable senator if American citizens
Mr. BADGER Certainly -certainly
Mr.. STOCKTON That may be the case in North
Carolina believe they are somewhat behind the age
there for their criminal code has remained stationary
so has North Carolina remained stationary. Laugh
Mr.. BADGER II is so in Delaware and Virginia,
which consider very respectable company Laugh
| MIR. STOCKTON. In regard TO Delaware, she is so
small do not know that much weight should be attached
to her example. As for Virginia. do not know about,
foggng there j. however, do not wish to treat this
ter in laughing way. say that, however il may be in
North Carolina, Virginia, and Delaware the American
citizen generally is fitted high above the degradation OF
the scourge; and all ask for the sailor is, that he
should be treated like an American citizen, and not like
slave The slave is perhaps as universally punished
in this way when he deserves punishment, the Amer
lean citizen is freed from such punishment. Now, |
would ask the honorable senator if he would propose
the punishment The lash introduced the Un
ted States generally You perceive that all meant is
have the sailor treated like any other citizen. Now. is
the senator ready say that he is willing 10 have the
whole United States placed upon the footing in this
respect with navy II So then there would be some
consistency in his position.
Mr.. BADGER. Does the honorable senator desire me
| TO give hun answer now
| MIR STOCKTON should be very happy to have an
this time, and will yield the floor for that pur
pose.
MIR. BADGER / am totally opposed 10 any law for
whipping all the citizens OF the United States because
should all be brought into difficulty, all being citi-
OF the United States ourselves With regard 10 the
subject OF punishment Of offences, am very well sats-
fed with the system OF punishment for citizens that pre-
walls under the laws OF the United States this time
and very well satisfied with that which applied to
sailors before abolished al the last session oil Con-
gress Now, wish 10 ask the honorable senator if be
desires that sailors shall have all the privileges OF c-
zens OF The United States. Does he intend that bills
shall be found against them by grand ures. and they be
brought trial before judges and unes with all the
emonies attendant upon the trial oil citizen OF the Uni
ted Satesi
Mr.. STOCKTON. should be very glad TO have that
done, sir and TO have trial by jury Tor them II could
people OF the United States logged No. sir The hon
orabe senators are not going TO take il themrelves-
Mr.. BADGER, Tin his seat) Present company always
excepted.
Mr.. STOCKTON. It is determined that the executive
head OF the government shall not get it-that the mem.
bes OF Congress shall not get IT, Now sir, please tell
me why the senator should not be logged well the
sailor. | should like 10 know why the men who pecu-
late upon the public funds who put their hands into
the general treasury, defrauders Of the goyernmentwhy
they ought not TO be logged well the sailors Let
hat said hefo kna,