Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-01-14
THE NAVY.
III REGISTER.
FROM the PHILA


When the chaplain Of the Naval Academy at Annapo-
lis (the Rev. Mr. Bartow) made his last report to his
diocesan he closed it with sentence to which desire
to now when navy and reform has become
again public question: and the popular feeling IS pretty
plainly and rightly think favorable to some efficient
legislation by the present Congress The chaplain re-
marked: "The fact that the moral atmosphere which
emanates from navy officers gives its own character to-
our country abroad and affects materially all the foreign
missionary stations commends this school to the special
prayers Of all christians they love their country and
the souls Of men," This reflection well points our
houghs to the high powers and responsibilities of navy
in time Of peace less than in times Of war Through
the pacific functions Of navy nation may do much Of
its share in the work Of civzng and benehtng man
kind and it is because blessed with peace that
we should as nation, cultivate these opportunities OF
good as well as provide for navy beigerent efficiency
When, some years ago. enormous Paixhan gun on
board Of one Of steamships-of-war called " the
Peace Maker" it foolish msnomer that was fol-
lowed by fearful catastrophe. 1t in different feel
ing that allude to the peace powers of navy.
Even in its present restricted state the navy is render
ing important aid to the Of civilization by such
special services the expedition Of japan, the cruising
for the suppression Of the slave trade the exploring voy
age to the North Pacific the services in connexon with
the coast survey both sides Of the continent the
poration Of the Gulf Stream and the extension and inn
provement of the lighthouse system The of navy,
protector Of commerce. wildly portrayed by
eminent American statesman In the following passage Of
private letter, which permitted to publish The
date well the of the writer's feeling and
style, will together indicate the authorship of ii that
OF the late John Sergeant. 1t was written when Mr..
Sergeant his way United States Minister the
Congress of Panama.:
"U. s. SHIP HORNET, AT SEA, DrcEHBER IL, 1926
Last evening with brig from Port Prince
bound to Mobile, and put board Of her letter.
Nohing could be beautiful than the around
when alongside of the brig. The sky and the
perfectly The shining in undisturbed
spendo and there little breeze just enough push the
vessel along without producing any agitation 1t
pleasure, too that presence gave comfort one
Of countrymen. We part Of these time
ago infested by pirates The night very propous for
pratica adventure The poor fellow who commanded the
vessel having nothing else occupy his attention. had
badly been dwelling upon these things till his imagination be-
filled with horrors You may judge therefore, how hap
he must have felt at being under the protection Of friend
battery like that tho Hornet which assured him of entire
safety This is the great value of navy in time of peace It
the visible country stretched
that they pursue their honest occupa
tons peace safety 1t pleasing also how the
spirit of Institutions spreads itself the and
modfs the stern countenance Of warke preparation
and military power The rights and the feelings of the ci
every where respected and instead of the clustering
overbearng and arrogant assumption Of superiority which
marks the intercourse ofth Of some nations with
merchanman officers uniformly observe the most marked
aad decided decacy department If this tone be preserved,
doubt it will there be question that navy in
every respect better than allowing rather obgng
chanmen to arm defence It probably cheaper
that than the aggregate cost of equppng merchant
for defence 1t avoids the danger of nusng military tenn
into the merchant service calculated to generate pratcaI
dispositions ameng 1t is efectual; armed
merchantmen chance pirate, for he may succeed
in conflict; but weappohtsd public vessel looks down
opposition and puts end to piracy ITSELF And besides all
this it shows country in the most engaging point of
vew watching protecting wherever These
notions happened and thought might well put
them down. Nor they altogether unconnected with my
feelings felt proud that evening being the
quarterback of Of surrounded by set
of brave fellows ready to face danger and provided
with every of annoyance yet observing the most
spectfu Difference for the rights and feelings Of IN humble
unarmod individual This morning had left the brig out
sght but he has nothing cruisers have cleared
the seas of pirates and piracies."