The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-09-12
From the Brush United Service Gazette
WHAT Is NAPIER ABouT2


WHAT Is NAPIER ABOUT
We have for some months past cautiously abstained
from offering any remarks calculated to give rise to dsust
with reference to the naval operations IN the Baltic Al
though opposed as we have been 10 the appointment Of
Vice Admiral Sir Charles Napier and Rear Admiral
Cbads from conviction the uDhtness oil officers Dor
derpo upon three-seore-andten for active commands
RETAINED from giving expression to an adverse opn
ion since those officers hosed their flags Acommande
for feet like that in the Baltic is required 10
sscs the most unquestionabe rmnessi decision nerve
and prudence The Baltic fleet was not sent on mission
of amusement TO determine the existence oil certain
vqable channels leading TO the Russian orresses We
are much mistaken If it looked upon by those VINO IN
cprrd the expense and trouble of fitting 1t out as force
a only 10 blockade the Russian fleets at flelsingors
ana cronstsat The belief was that the fleets would pos
sufficient streng to blockade the Russians win the
left hand while the right hand was at hper iof onehse
operations The largest fleet that ever SWAIN upon he
bosom of the Baltic despatched thiter W eun he
Rnssian lesson and to render the British portion oil the
feet effective the command was given TO 'he suppoeu mos
daring spirit of the royal navythe popular SIR oh's
Nnar The memorable speech of the senior Sea i'otu
the Admiralty TO which recently adverted rePu''Wu
in the strongest terms the supposition 'ia' S'i o
No. cont IN the Baltic with tied hands; and as we dare
moi doubt an assertion emphauealiy ehuhe'a'ea "" w
bound to believe that the commandments was "''
gether free agent -. -
IN what way 49, eapectatons profession2
And how has Sir Charles redeemed the promise con-
tanned in his after-dinner speech-SI will make them
fght2" Was it by threading the fleet to within A few
miles OF the Cronstdt detences and then retiring without
firing shot Was it by taking peep the Notifications
OF Sweaborg and retreating though alarmed by the
view Was it by expanding few Of shells upon
the batteries of Hango udd and ceasing to fire while the
enemy remained with colors flying? In all these affairs
say it with deep regretthe British colors defed
cans viii
the ships engaged disgraced.
Something however, was at length determined upon
but the accomplishment Of this small instalmep
of victory the Russians left to French troops
feet equal TO any service vastly stronger than that
which crushed huge into dust at ST. Jean dAcre
considered unequal TO the demolition of line Of
Russian batteries only half garrisoned and completely
isolated Until the arrival of the French soldiers nothing
was attempted, and the 10000 British and marines
composing the of fleet were mortified at finding
themselves deliberately pronounced much useless lu
Der Bomarsund has fallen after short siege by land
forces and with the exception of about of the marines
of the fleet of countrymen have been grated
by opportunity of gaining laurel Admiral Chads is
cautious his senior NERVOUS if not childish The cap
tain desiring to render himself obnoxious has only to at
tempt propose dashng exploit To sbother' Sir
Charles with proposition is to insure the receipt of rem
rimand and threat of exclusion from the post OF honor
Such botherers" Keppel Elliot Paget &c. and in con-
backlisted An attempt made to keep down the
expression of sympathy by the sailors with the gallant
fellows selected for the siege of Bomarsund The cheers
which proceeded from the rigging of the Cumberland as
her marines left the ship called forth the rebuke from the
fag-shp"annul all cheering but the Of other
ships could be silenccd by the snub Can any more
convincing proof be given of the conflicting opinions of
the COMMANDMENTS and of those under his command
And is not this to be expected when the ages Of the men
average twenty-five thirty and that of the chief is so
closely yergng upon seventy?
We should have given this to our feelings had
the honor of the British flag been dcvr' -.u,ea
IN the discussion brltons are ae' ,sy accustomed
allow the guns of their ships 10 be masked By those Of alice
vet this has actually been done Britons are happily
used to play second fiddle to any nation but the fact is
now patent to the world. Vice Admiral Parseyal Des-
cfenes and General paraguay DIIilers took the initial
would be done
We hear that Sir Charles Napier IS very much annoyed
the letters which have from time to time appeared In
the public prints relative his movements but if he
knew the indignation which swells nigh to bursting the
gallant breasts of those under his command he would
be asonshed rather would he be surprised at
the suppressed Of the remarks few days will sup
ply with the details of the siege and captuation but
in the while Sir James Graham woht do well u
look for possessing the requisite
qualifications for the efficient command Of the Baltic feet
and which Sir Charles Napier assuredy DOES NOT