The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. MIR. MALLORY,

"a. senate having proceeded to the consideration of
A. sssa order, being the resolutions of Messrs NRRsoS
~ hssaRs In regard 10 the action of the naval retiring
- and he bin rs. No ll3 to amend the @act to pro-
- ths efficiency Of the navy
NJ MALLORY said. IN addressing the Senate upon the
aa sabcts embraced BY the special order before us
- constrained 70 take somewhat extended view of
-. afs than they seem 10 comprehend; for, with an
~ aFs ~ the naval service all that the character
80 hs interests u the country demand, and believing
81 . Rms upon the confidence OF the people must rest
s tbsF sng ghtened Judgment Of It's character and
on " friends must invoke the vigilant supervision of
Csagss the snres, means OF developing and maintain
~ Es greatest efficiency.
saFe listened 20 Or read many Of the formal speeches
lsgsed here by gcnuemen who dissent from the views
a he EEfeRtips the Seoroary, and your Aarai Commit
" upon this EuLjcct aud win endeayor TO review their
aaBtnls fify, and 10 reply TO such of them briefly as
Z III Judgment pertinent to the questions before us
A. presume sir Il will be conceded that during its dis
sssi0n statements opinions differences and presumpons
ss esn eaboraely uttered the truth error OF which
rrspo aid 10 to an enlightened Judgment and to which
tlrrsgort do nol feel at liberty 10 reply.
Pfsae conduct aud character, and personal motives
bsrs heca Ganvassrd and discussed with zeal rarely
g0uaed this body, and with latitude which, con-
ylBcea has not met To appreciation; and, though may
A. constrained 10 notice these to extent for the pur
po Of asserting my unqualified dissent from the mputa-
ioos cast upon the board shall do with due regard
trust or the rights and feelings OF Others and certainly
slh no purpose Of adding feathers weight to the
aassmsuts Of those who feel that they have to
roupAia
Nor shal deem II necessary to respond to those ad-
dresses and appeals 10 the sympahes of the Senate which
Day without dsrespect be termed the sentimental por-
ons Of the Arguments for though fear too much, dis
5 yield TO the impulses Of the heart rather than to
observe the dictates Of the Judgment tendency, sir
Which not been weakened by my associations here
hnk that such appeals In many OF the which have
ed them forth have not only been enormously based
ad msdifscSd, but think, also, that they but weaken
he claims Of those who seek redress at our hands.
Their claims 10 restoration 10 the active service of the
tayy must rest upon thsir own merits the iegay of
and unFu yhy. fap nnhaa
hons age decreptude disease vice. ignorance misfor
June be indeed incompetent to perform his part degree
sympathy upon our part would justify his assignment
L The arduous duties of profession which preemineny
smand the siernest and noblest attributes of
Oar sympa,hies gratitude Of justice and
light may extend TO the faithful public servant whose
sts energies no longer respond to the patriotic i'm:
uses Of his heart the fostering and protecting hand of
Ihe government; we may bind up his wounds, may
Oo,he his sorrows and smooth his pathway to the
nSe-ws may do anything to prove thai his coun-
ry gratefully remembers him--but we cannot give
bin military command, consign to the tmid hearts
snd paied hands OF inrmity and age tie honor and r
es OF our dag upon the deep. Sir have not been an
indifferent or an unmoyed listener To these appeals
have witnessed with thrills OF pleasure the readiness and
zeal with which the brilliant and venerated intellects of
the Senate have entered the lists in behalf of those whom
they deem the objects of injustice 1t all the gen.
emotions OF our hearts TO know that the humbles
citizen who vanly seeks redress through other courts and
channels has but to tread the threshold Of these balls to
find within this FORUM the freest and most enlightened
upon eefth lDe hearts ana eloquent
men who loved throughout the land to make their
wrongs and their SORROWS known
But while listening to them, have not forgotten and
trust others have not forgoiten, that there national
side this question, in comparison with which the
plants OF few-a mere handful of men--dwinds into
profound and utter insignihcance have never allowed
nyf TO forget that have but handful Of ships and
navy perhaps tha weakest the face of the earth
certainly the weakest OF all maritime powers, and pre-
emineny the weakest in view Of commercial tonnage
and the seaboard which we are called upon to protect
have not forgotten hat our navy has too long suffered
from neglect masdministration and disposition to con-
suit the tastes and interest Of individuals rather than the
Interests OF the country that In this small band OF of-
cu-eyery one OF whom should be chosen man, with
out fear and without reproachwe have room for the
Idle the Ignorant the vicious aad feel sir that when
egsating TO the character and qualifications Of
the ofhis branch OF national defences every
Of whom should be honorable and credabe represent
alive Of bis counrys character and honor sympatbes
should yield 10 the stern and obvious dictates Of daty and
the hearts of this body should be impossible the
granite walls which enclose then.
Sir remember we'll that Nelson's last glorious day
when bearing down upon the enemy when the desp blue
Sea the brilliant skies and the magnificent array Of naval
power presented spectacle witnessed before
suee-when the momenions interests OF empires hung
upon the chances Of batleat such hour the eager
eyes Of bAins gallant strained to catch the
hrst revelation OF the admiral sgnslcd voice Then II
vas that Nelson's brief and manly signal, England ex-
pee every TO do hls duty thrown 10 the breeze
S this the enuneatioa Of TRUTH for the hum
bcs Of all that mighty host wsb knew bis obligations
70 bic country but coming to them IL did at that ausp
oous nOmeE when all hearts pulsated In patriotic uni
son was haaed by each as special demand upon his
esge and nnder its inspiration, with decks ringing TO
tAe responsive cheers Rrtaius Aeaen entered the bat
h sad the shattered and flying hosts of the enemy soon
tod kow we'll they did their duty. And aT from this ee-
vsd standpoint while the eyes OF the nation eagerly
uatehfu for ths signal which our legislation shall pro-
da@ for the naEy, let US keep steadily In view that In
the mOmeuous conseq Of defeat triumph upon
he deep there be for the weak the vicious
bat that Congress expects every to do his duty
eore adEsrting % the Arguments adFaRosd here, SIR
eons the act Of last session passed because knowl-
edge ot the evs which the law designed correct
viii aid us In arriving At the true construction of the
edy applied. permanent naval establishment upon q
limited scale as nuceua with innate powers Of sxpan-
son which the breath OF Congress might develop 20 an
ersnt at will has been regarded the settled policy
q the nosnty. In liza organization naturally follow.
u se eKsmpiss o. Britain and TO this hour, though
ceiling her ga the qualities Of ships and ooers
tain some Of her usages and customs which are al least
Questionable utility.
Tered from her She has fted principle BY which pro
raoions in her service controlled whereas from
early Cay, promotions with have been gorane2 By
notty though we have statutory regulation aPon h'
subject
As general rule since the best days Of Nelson she ha.
promoted the first lautenan Of victorious ships 10 battle
Oat beyond this promotions depcndeni upon the nha
enee OF politics family, wealth, svortism much n
upon merit or seniority Great evils aud injustice srlan
spring from this system bat thsy far less injariou
an large establishment like that ~ Brttan than they
would be in a limitsd one like our own. Our rigid sd
herence 10 seniority has been most proae of evil
20 our navy. Subject the administration of our gov
ernment Ia 10 frequent and radical political changes pro
motion by seniority alone would furnish The safest posi-
rule the corps consisted only of efficient qualified
lor All their dnties Bat experience has shown that
where no means erst 0f ridding the corps 81 The
aoe The vcous the imbeciic or The incompetent pro
MOTION BY seniority Ia the worst possible rule that could