The daily union., 1852-01-17

leprosy, and that he most ordinary poee regulations a
the ship are neglected, and that commanders are nos
sadly anticipating mulinous and decided oulbIeaI
II tbs be true picture-and the TACT that here asssr
sufficient 10 induce senators 10 hesitate and inQu
u not important that you should have al once wis
prompt, and dispasslonate legislation But have ben
told that the sympahies OF our people afoused-ha,
senators will be mindful OF them. l. for one do not ~
eye H. There Is something in external and lateral pres
sure. We are the exponens OF public opinion but H.
fore we undertake TO egislste upon subject SO gray
this IL lei us be certain that have the true pub
opinion The public opinion for our guidance is thar n
men Identified with the navy, having at heart lis gor,
and efficiency II IS not the opinion OF men who bay.
nothing in common with it, except abstract idea OF I'M
mainly and philanthropy. and whose opinions are basd
false representations with regard to lis discipline and
character.
deny that the good seamen--the heroes OF the h.
war men who are disposed 10 do their duty men eo,
responding with the good citizens shore-are aopgsd
in the navy admit the TACT that unworthy Of wssr
log their countrys livery have dsgaced ihemselye. and
dsgraced humanity, by carrying this punishment in pat
tcular instances, 10 an extraordinary cruelty beeye
that in admitting this do not admit more than wbat
every member OF any organized society upon earth viii
adni, as that particular organization Show me any
community OF men, In any quarter OF the Workshop
me airy Christian organzaton--in which decentralization
Ia hish places is not occasionally exhibited But WIN
ever heard OF charging upon the entire body the dem
quencies OF few prominent individuas The practc,
is to lop OF the diseased limbs and let the tree oua
gTeener and irmer than ever This is the proper cous
Tor the navy and the naval officer animated by semi
menis OF humanity and regard for the honor OF his flag
will be the first 10 come forward and denounce the rel.
reant who outrages humanity and his countrys laws
believe that this blow at the discipline OF the navy
had its origin in false philanthropy. II had its Origin
in certain quarters oil our country, where exists that sp
OF restless energy which would upheaye and underm.
the very pillars OF social end political fabric,
that restless energy, which is the very worst enemyb
mans profitable pTogress-that restless energy, whid
strikes isg change, not for improyement-hat reslss
energy which, with regard to everything firm, fixed a
established, would
.'Rush in where angels fear q tread"
| ask gentlemen TO look a. the law which was SO has
tily passed the last Congesspassed on the 2slhd
September, 1850, when the session ended on the 30h
September call senator's 10 remark the words OF il, he
form OF H. and the small majority by which was passed
call them TO witness the fact that This law, by s ven
FORM went into operation from the moment oi its passa
and left the officers who abroad al sea TO violate
ignoranlly, and appeal 10 Congress for relief.
Now, before we can legislatc on this subject-andl
say this with reference TO the motion here made that
is nexpedent TO grant the prayer OF these petltone-
would ask, how do we know that y Is nexpedien
Who has examined the subject' Where is the CON
mtee which has investigated III say that the proN
moie Of treating this matter is. in my judgment, 10
send il 10 the Committee Naval Affairs. Let its mem
bers dispassionaiely and cooy take il up and invesga
it, Let them find the best proofs on the subject, and
make report presenting the facts TO the Senate and
the country If the navy will be improved by the abc
lilion of this system OF discipline, in Heavens nam
abolish it, There is officer in the navy Of any
gfale VINO ever tHt ldsu upon d bcdldH WHO
did not do it with repugnance TO his own feelings Thsn
is not an ofcer-and speak from general knowledgs
of them-who would not be in favor OF abolshing this
Punishment ton morrow. if thought the efficiency Of The
tanned by 80 doing. RI The punishment. but reslors
ii under certain ress Confer not unlimited power
upon The commandss TO inlct punishment in this way
upon their fellows
But, sir, there are thousand details 10 this subw
which it is necessary TO examine, and which CANA
come beioie this body. Why, sir, should we enter Inv
them all They would occupy our attention from nov
which you will perceive that they numerous As thi
practice of punishment formerly existed made the con
nander of the vessel responsible for all the hoxging
The seamen and the seamen consequently looked up 70
him the great tyran whose voice caused the pun
ishment 10 be inflicted. This ought not 10 be SO You
should preserve the ancient simude OF iathef 10 h
children between the master OF the ship and the seamen
and you should place intermediate grade between hn
and them You should not teach the latter TO believe ha
every lash comes from the commander. This nierns
diae grade should be, IN my Judgment couIl martial,
conss, OF three officers detached either by the Secretary
OF the Navy from the officers, according 10 their rank
on the sailing OF the ship, by the Commodore Of III,
squadron, or in some other judicious manner.
In alluding to these Details want TO know how ou
service is managed, what is the pay of the seamen. and
wherein il differs from the pay OF those IN the merchsa
marine; we want 10 know the term OF enlistment n
both services. In legslang Tor the navy we are moi
lose sight OF the merchant marne because the mehan
marine is the nursery Of the navy. We want to knov
the duration OF the cruises, the rights and duties
merchant and naval seamen, and the duties to be el
pected from commanders OF ships and squadrons. Ik
ordinary idea in our country OF persons not familiar wA
The subject is thai commanders duty is 10 sail and hsh
his ship But these the mere rudlmenis OF the re
fession. Courage Is no more TO man than virtue
woman. He is nothing without IT, and deserves %
merit for its possession. II is common 10 all MANKIND
and peculiarly common 10 the American seaman. bG
there duties which the commanders OF ships M
squadrons upon foreign stations are called upon
transact in connexion with the laws OF nations and
intercourse with foreign governments, and fOT WIKI
they held responsible, which II would be well iof M
Senate 70 take into consideration IN egislatng upon ~
subject In relation to these details will simply ihrw
out these ideas Take single frigate The commas
is ordered 10 her. He finds OF eleven commlssosA
officers sixteen warrant officers, including The surF0
boatswan, carpenter. and sailmaker, one hundred -
sixty able seamen, hundred and eleven ordinary M
one hundred aud twelve landsmen and boys. he mp
never have seen any OF them before, but becomes oa
responsible for the organization on board. lhes na
to be watched detailed. mustered, and assigned ol
tiers, and hfyfour petty officers are TO be selected gs
the crew. Among these one hundred and twelve am
and boys, he may have representatives OF many
the vices and crimes which disgrace and degrade hunal
nature lie is TO discipline and control them and woas
you give him the tread-mH for punishment WHEREBY
enforce his authonyi Would you stop The tea OF suu
men as means of correction
II am right in supposing that there are criminals
board shps-and that an right appeal TO ihe oU
uments which have been laid before you-does stopan
the tea or coffee tobacco infct punishment ups
theml Are such punshments adequate TO RESTRAIN mo
who have raised their hands against their brolhen-
men who have put hrebrands beneath your house
Are such punishments to restrain crime Wih wv
tread-m have any effect upon men who have been n
customed 10 1t Go 10 your ships tomorrow, anu ~
will find existing between the petty officers and able -
men-men who esteem their vocatlon-and the supen"
officers reciprocal sentiments OF the kiDdest character
will not detain the Senate by going into furhe, os
ail. In making these remarks about The navy, nA,
purpose TO subserve but the interest and honor OF o
flag have made them simply because Tor more ~, \,
Lxx. (o1 tltoru