Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-26

4
claim that if it had struck down only one,
and that one the humblest and the most un-
worthy of the whole corps, that he was en-
titled to hearing, and certainly entitled to
know how and against whom he had sinned.
To what end is the mission of this great Re-
public if, in its ayowed march to the estab-
lishment of civil liberty, it shall not only fail
to recognize, bpt absolutely trample upon the
rights that pertain to individuals? We have
said that members of the Navy have a vested
| right in their commissions. Is not this true?
There are some-demagogues, however-for
whom we have less respect than we have for
hostile Indians, who pretend to place the claim
of an officer of the Navy upon the same foot
| ing with clerkship or any other merely min
| isterial officer under the Government The
difference is too obvious to be seriously treated.
Suffice it to say, any man who can write his
own or another's name, may be fitted for an
appointment to the inferior grades of this class
| of officers, while not only an education, but a
professional education, is required to obtain q
commission in the Navy. And, again, the
practical difference between the two is as
serted, and properly asserted, by the fact that
no member of the Navy has ever yet been
elected for his political opinions, while the
ruthless prescription Of party exaction has
been visited upon the poor and the needy, the
sick and the afflicted, because of their political
affiliations.
We say, then, there is a rested right of every
officer of the Navy and Army in his commits
sion. The right to take it away or to impair
it has no residence except where cause IS
shoaon for so doing. Nay, more; according
to all laws, human and divine, the cause must
not only be shown, but the party subjected to
the rigor of his professional law must be con-
fronted with his accuser and the charge made,
and his defence admitted. If he is guilty, the
punishment is provided, and it should be en-
forced. IF innocent, he should be acquitted.
What, then, is the case as it now stands?
Simply this: that an officer, albeit he has
erved his country in the naval arm of our
service thirty, forty, or fifty years, is to be un-
tremendously deprived of his rank by his
brother officers, and that, too, in secret, with
out even tribute to his professional honor or
personal manliness. We know quite well the
force of the English language, and we say
that we should, unless forced by imperious in
structions to do otherwise, blush to find it in
our heart or head to pursue such course to-
wards those who were at least our peers. If
the act of Congress, or the instructions Of the
Secretary or President, did not enjoin secrecy
during the trials of some of the most gallant
men in our land, surely they did not compel it
after the results we're made known.
Let us illustrate this view of the case. Cap
tain A. (for really we have no particular case
in view entered the navy at the age of fifteen
as midshpman. In the usual course of time
he became passed midshipman-then lieuten-
ant, and then captain. During this advance
ment, from stage to stage in his profession, the
records of the department are adorned by many
incidents Of his personal valor and professional
skill He is yet in the prime of life-ready,
willing and anxious to do his country service,
whenever she signifies her need of that ser
vice. He is subject for the investigation of
this Board. He is not tried, but he is merely
reported as unfit for holding commission in
the United States Navy. That report is con-
6rmed by the Secretary and President and
his name is accordingly stricken from the roll.
Stunned by this summary proceeding, he seeks
from the Secretary the reason for it. He is
4 A. L.. a.,
Board, and hence none can be furnished him.
CONSCIOUS Of having performed his duties faith
fully, he finds himself driven from a service to
which his whole life has been devoted-a ser
vice, too, which singularly units him for any
other employment by which he may acquire
an honorable livelihood. But this is not all.
The very fact that he is denied the humble
privilege of knowing the causes Of his degrade.
ton, converts him from an officer and gentleman,
in good standing, into an object of suspicion
and distrust. His CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED
TO KNOW WHY THEIR FATHER HAS BEEN THUS
DIsGRAcED. Now we hold this to be despotic
cruel, and unnatural-unwortby Of the age in
which we live, and blot upon our national
character. But the Secretary admits that there
are some cases Of hardship Ii THERE BE
ONE within has knowledge, it should have
annuled the whole proceedings Of the Board.
Should the innocent suffer with the guilty
the meritorious officer, with him who has dis
graced his commission? If this be SO, we
should see much abated the honorable and
respectable emulation which has hitherto charac-
terized the gallant officers Of our navy.
Suppose a similar enactment we're applied
to the army, and Board we're constructed to
sit in secret judgment upon its officers, and,
without a charge being brought the Board
were to report number of these officers for
expulsion from the service, and Winfield Scott
was one Of that number what would the Anne
rican people, keenly alive as they will ever be,
to bis splendid craftsmanship in two wars, say to
stripping from his gallant person the epaulettes