The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-17

INTERFERENCE OF QUIZ NAVAL ohCES In oIAIE
PoIITcs.-Whom the gods would destroy, they
first make mad. The administration and the
supporters Of Mr.. Buchanan appear to have taken
leave of their senses. Not content with the most
upjustifable and illegal interference in the af-
fairs Of Kansas, they are trying their hand in
those Of California. The army and navy, sus-
tanned by the public treasury for the defence of
the country against foreign aggression, is now
openly used to overthrow our constitutional
guarantees and to give aid and countenance to
political friends and to interfere in our domestic
polity. 1t is not strange that the founders of the
republic were opposed to the creation Of stand
ing army, or that they feared it might one day
be hateful instrument in the hands of even tenn
porary tyranny. Scarcely have we had time to
express our Indignation at the use made of our
military force in Kansas, before we have to re-
cord the interference Of the navy in the State of
California. 1t appears that the commander of a
United States vessel Of war-the John Adams
has been figuring in the bay Of San Francisco,
meddling in the local political disputes Of that
city, and receiving presents from club of &C
knowledged political character, devoted to the
views of particular candidate, for his
taking part with them in their difficulties.
With his guns turned upon the town, he has given
his countenance to band Of notorious parti-
zans, whose chief arguments have been the re-
volver and the bowie knife, and he has avowed
his regret that he will "not be able to take any
part with them at the coming Presidential con-
test" Still his 'sympathies'' are with them, and
he earnestly prays' that their efforts in the COM
ing canvass may be crowned with success. He
hopes that under the table Captain" they pro-
pose to put in command Of the ship Of State, they
will ''sail on" in the language Of the loafers,
"over many a stormy sea-" He accepts their
present Of chronometer and gold chain, and re-
turns his Blasting gratitude for the honor con-
ferred on him by a ruffian band.
What are we coming to: Is it to be tolerated
that the captain Of United States man-ofwar
shall use his commission, his vessel and his power
in favor Of any political party? Is it to be en-
dured that he shall affiliate himself with political
clubs, and use the flag Of the nation as banner
under which they may marshal their forces? We
think it high time that this illegal abuse Of the
authority Of the nation should be put down. We
have sometimes seen the crews of national ships
landed during a contested election, to turn the
scales in favor Of an administration par
ty; but it was always done secretly,
and under the disavowal of the Off
cials who were supposed responsible for the
act. 1t was reserved for the era Of Pierce and
the times of Buchanan to witness captain Of
the American navy taking sides officially in our
domestic political differences, and cheering on in
a public correspondence the exertions Of a parti-
IAN organization to elect partizan candidate
Never before in our history has any naval
been SO daring and so Inscriptions.
If the people sit still under such enormity, let
them wear their chains. First in Kansas, our sol
diers have been dragged into the field to uphold
the bloodiest and the most unconstitutional legis-
ation-to sustain the violation Of the most sacred
rights of freemen; and now our gallant sailors are
steered into the whirlpool Of politics, to overawe
by their batteries the freedom Of opinion and the
local affairs Of an independent State. How much
more are we to endure from the administration
and its supporters? How many more violations
Of law, order and decency are we to submit to,
for the purpose Of electing Mr.. Buchanan. We
pause for reply.