Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-17

that this ,eton shall be laid upon the table, and not be
called up gain want hasty changes, backwards OF
forwards on this subject assure that honorable gen.
teman pat if naval service can be carried on with
efficiency and its character maintained without resorng
to that Punishment shall be reluctant TO see II re-
| stored any one can be was opposed 10 aDonshng
il becape thought it necessary to retain It. But
if ound be unnecessary to retain tins mode OF
punishment then shall be much opposed to It's re-
storatm as | was TO its abolition am indifferent as %
the reference Of this petition 10 the committee ON Naval
Affairs For the present willing to let il go upon
| the tabe without further consideration
| Mr. STOCKTON have been accustomed heretofore
look up the honorable Senator from North Carolina
MIR IADGER for counsel upon important matters, anu
have Always had great pleasure in considering him wor
thy of confidence both here and elsewhere But now
ever much may regard the individual however much
may ,steem his great requirements and great learning
vet the risk Of being thought quite presumptuous,
must say to the Senate that do not think the gentleman
from North Carolina Mr.. BADGER) has treated my rgu-
men with fairness by any means de has made his own
statement of nv arguments and then declared that
have myself refuted them His speech seems TO have
been characterized by that kind OF sentimental leRy
which does not appear TO me TO be IN very good taste
perhsps would have been in perfectly good taste To-
ward any Senator; but it appears TO me that situated
as am had right TO expect something little more
conscerate from that gentleman The last thing had
right expect to have my arguments attempted 10
| be turned into ridicule
| Mr. BADGER. ! beg pardon of the Senator IN
tended no such thing
Mr.. STOCKTON That was the way it appeared to
/
opportunity display TO the Senate at the expense OF
my arguments the versatility of his genius and his psy
Geological and classical erudition.
But in reality there nothing that the Senator said
that seems to me to be worthy of any reply, with
cepon and it to be necessary for me to say some
thing in reply to that not my own account but on ac
count of the subject The honorable Senator says hat
said when you fog the sailor you treat him like slave
and then he went to institute comparison between
their pnnshments in very facetious manner. Hnf the
bring the Senator down TO before the Sc
ate 10 in the FIRST nj
the American sailor is that he should be treated like an
American citizen | ask nothing more Now ask the
honorable Senator if American citizens are ever scourged
now
Mr. BADGER. Certainly certainly.
Mr.. STOCKTON That may be the case in North Ca
rolna believe they somewhat behind the age there
for their criminal code has remained stationary has
North Carolina remained stationary, Laughter.
Mr.. BADGER. 1t is so in Delaware and Virginia,
which consider very respectable company. Laughter
Mr.. STOCKTON In regard to Delaware she is SO
small do know that much weight should be attached
to her example. As for Virginia. do not know about
fogging there however do not wish to treat this mat
ter in laughing way. say that however it may be in
North Carolina, Virginia, and Delaware, the American
citizen generally lifted high above the degradation of
the scourge and all ask for the sailor is that he should
be treated like American citizen, and not like slave
The slave is perhaps universally punished in this way
when he deserves punishment the American citizen is
freed from such punishment. Now, would ask the hon
orabe Senator if he would propose to have the punish
ment of the lash introduced into the United States gene
treated like any other citizen Now is the Senator ready
say that he is willing have the whole United States
placed upon the footing in this respect with
nayy so, then there would be some consistency in his
position.
Mr. BADGER. Does the honorable Senator desire me
to give him an answer now
Mr.. STOCKTON. ! should be very happy to have an
this time and will yield the floor for this pur
pose
Mr.. BADGER. l totally opposed to any law for
whipping all the citizens of the United States because
l.l
of the United States ourselves With regard to the sub
ject of punishment of offences very well satisfied
with the system of punishment for citizens that prevails
under the laws of the United States this time and
very well satisfied with that which applied sailors
before it abolished at the last session of Congress
Now, wish to ask the honorable Senator if he desires
that sailors shall have all the privileges of citizens of the
United States Does he intend that bills shall be found
against them by grand uries and they be brought trial
before judges and ures, with all the ceremonies attend
ant upon the trial of citizen of the United States
Mr.. STOCKTON. | should be very glad to have that
DONE SIR and to have trial by jury for them if could
But the gentleman says wisely do not want all the peo
pie of the United States logged No. sir The honorable
Mr.. BADGER, lin his seat. Present company always
excepted.
Mr. STOCKTON. 1t is determined that the Executive
head Of the Government shall get it-that the mem
bers of Congress shall not get it. Now sir please tell
me why the Senator should not be logged well the
sailor? should like to know why the who peculate
upon the public funds who put their hands into the
general Treasury defrauders of the Government, why
they ought be logged as well as the sailors Let
him that As said before the gentleman knew
when he began that he had good cause and am glad
to that lawyerke he has worked all round the cir
Gle TO come back TO the very place from which
he started and now he says he is willing to give them
the law Therefore lmove you sir that it is nexpedient
that the prayer Of these petitioners be granted
Mr.. MALLORY As one Of the Committee on Naval
Affairs Mr. President it is my misfortune differ from
the honorable Senator from New Jersey MIR STOCKTON
But must say that the views he has expressed in SO eo
have been familiar sir with the navy for twenty odd
years, and have taken deep interest in its welfare and
prosperity But am DESTROYS TO meet the Senator in
gument upon the floor As il is the usual hour Of
adjournment and in order that may have opportun
~ TO express my views tomorrow morning upon this sub
ject, will move that the Senate now adjourn
Mr.. GWIN. hope the honorable Senator win with
draw that motion. | wish make few remarks upon
this subject, and should prefer TO make them now
viii give aim the floor after get through
Mr.. MALLORY withdrew the motion to adjourn
Mr.. GWIN. / was absent when the Senator from New
Jersey closed his speech. wish to make some few re-
marks upon this subject; but am not prepared TO 90
into discussion Of this question all without the docu-
ment which called for, and which ought to have been
placed upon tables some days ago but which owing
TO delay has only been put upon tables this
morning have not had any opportunity yet to exam
inc il.
Mr.. BUTLER, lin his seat Let the subject be post
poned and make your remarks afterwards
Mr.. GWIN. Under the circumstances / will Weld the
floor TO the Senator from Florida.
Mr.. MALLORY again moved to adjourn and the fur
Their consideration Of the subject having been postponed
until Monday January IL, at o'clock the Senate adj
journed