The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-21

NAVAL REFORM.

No Fr,,os The following article from the Boston pais
cuer Il so deserving Of public attention Al lhs amy
bep naval reform is about 70 engage legislative aouO
~. regard for the navy induces 10 ask for piace u
rcur 81 tensiyey-read paper IA,
TIE writer says in reference 70 recehuy-feofu ~
having he above object in view, that be approves q al @
= nrS;ions with the exception Of that which reads
thus
S4h. SECRETARY u the Navy shall cause each captain
a,snaer lieutenant medical officer, and purser 70 re
t w. lie officers of their respective grades VINO ~
prali6ed 10 perform efficiently all Their duties asi1ls
Rsoa and that from has scruiinf % suen ,i ~
,s,g with the approval Of The PRESIDENT shau tet -
,rsnrntly ftlrlough all officers not 50 qualhed;
aO,r objection 10 this" he says IS t"o-ou- y ills
law e meant TO be applied only TO the ofcefs ~ pesel On
~ ia ana before any change IN the grades soIesaia
III 80 nsce il will operate sort OF venetian non
month 10 enable men 10 crafty Their PERSONA resent
srts or 10 advance their selfish lnwres uhuef wy -
cecy Of inquisitorai process wlslS ~ era
, he condemned unheard and untrled pui where even
- ,sers ire urr own and therefore their motives un-
detected We believe that the American navy = composed
IA body OF men as highminded, honorable ana ipefs IN
,r,ent al can be found Ia any other profession Dut
e. az a,so sen mortal men, and we KNOW now per-
nal prejudice and not 10 say seliinterest may
1, he dearest inreecs bias the Judgment OF the
strongest minds A. o,rno., .n,, o,har ,a,a
- riyae eaouses aud exasperate personal antipa-
S ma Il Is by no the most capable officer who Is
The nosi popular with his grade or those below HIM We
Igg
NJ ~ th auary operation OF this invidous clause i'll the
nrtance which officers themselves must feel to be made
ns ana informers against their professional brethren
Tbe most chvalric and conscientious minds among them
M recSi from the odions duty OF censorship which this
regulation calls upon them perform and the result VIII
h this II they cannot say anything favorable, they VIII
pably preserve discreet and honorable silence upon
r ascrihea their associates which perhaps have no
limitation except in prejudice That many high-ninded
Ulcers viii take this course do not doubt and be-
1--we All would he justified by the laws of honor II not e
rally IN declining opronounce opinions upon so vague
sAd underlined chaf inetciency, of which quality
psrags no have precisely the same conception.
But this is the worst Whatever faith the officers OF
he uavy repose each others honor II Is natural 10
b suspicious of all secret and irresponsible methods OF in
feftigation and nothing will tend more 10 excite misrust
than law Of this kind Confidence and that hearty and
cordial spiri, Of companonship and corporation which
nov exist win be lost and every officer viii keep watch
u and dsrustfu eye upon his brother nl-blood Will &c
menie fatal consequences will ensue, and il is to be
feared that the navy will gradually sink from its high tone
Of honor and generous emulation, and become theatre
m the display Of mean )ealousies and undgnihed passion
The navy is free from the spirit OF clique and partisan
ship which pervades the whole community. We are told
there il North and South, and great West aboard
hip and in the navy-yard, as elsewhere
But all this has brought TO the second part OF the OBJ
sion 10 which portion OF the above structures may APP
Ry II the law Is intended TO be prospective as well as I'M
Mediate In It's action al these difficulties will be intensi
ED aud added thereto will be the certainty that time
serving p9pnlar,ye ing spirit on the part Of superor
Al arrogant and doHneering spirit will prevail which
vii be Tn from promoting that honorable independence o.
character and amenity Of which distinguish
officers Of the American navy