The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-07-02
IJnlitital
From the Frederick (Md) Examiner
Official Tyranny.


Official Tyranny.
Officers of the Army and Navy have no
business to take part in politics This is a
very common, but very unjust remark -
Abroad and in service, it becomes the patri-
otto duty Of every Naval officer to uphold
the admins ration, which is the representa-
tive OF his coun'ry's honor and glory but at
home, returned for Il season to the walks of
private life, 1t equally becomes his duty as a
good citizen 10 participate III the political
issues Whch Affect his country's welfare, and
vote his sentiments as freeman.
1t is dangerous maxim. that the military
duty of the officer is is to override his poIli.
cal opinions. Military suboldInation and
freedom Of political sentiment are not incom-
paiinle aud to exact of the soldier OF sailor
an unqueSt'nnlng elective support of 1.-THE
powers that be-" is dangerous stride of
despotlsm. Yet such is the uniform practice
Of sham democracy, which fines its most
striking illustrations under the Buchanan
regime. and in the case of Dr. Nnian Pinkn,y,
OF the U 5. Navy, whose fearless card M.
pears IN another column, affords an example
Of wanton tyranny.
".
the hardhood TO think and act for himself
For this ollrnsc against executive ambition,
this talented but contunacous officer has
been prescribed and hanishcd. The act
speaks for itself, and is Justly calculated to
inspire indignation as well rs infuSe alarm
Tor the pcrmancncy>o our free institut ions
under the graSping rule of ALI ambitions
President.
AS an evidence Of the Injustice done
this distinguished and faithful officer, we
quote from, The proceedings of public meet
| ing, held on the 18th inst, at Norfolk, Va,
where DR.. Pinkney was recently stationed,
the following:
Hes0'ved, That we have reasons to believe
his expulsion from the hospital, to he he off
Srr'ns of that tyrannical principle and prac-
ice OF the Dcmoclntlc party, winch not only
Claims as right, but imposes AS a duty the
pnn'shm, mt of all lhosa no rcpudate its prin
cipeS or dsown its authority: that his ban
islment TO some foreign station has been
often threatened by his political opponents
here: and they now clam his punishment
as the execution of their will, and an lustra-
ton Of their influence with the powers that
be-
DIR. PINKNEY'S LETTER.
Ordered to the coast Of Africa, | obey the
order. Dragged Into active employment before
had time to recruit from an attack ofyellow
fever, " hlch well nigh cost me nv lie-not
permitted TO remain more than few months
i'll the Naval Hospital at Portsmouth Va.
where the usage of the services secures from
| Two to three years sojourn; have Just re-
cclvcd summons to report without delay for
duly o.! board The San Jacinto, bound f.,
, Africa, and hasten to OBEY the summons. -
But at the same time, having obcyed, leave
with my friends my Solemn protest, and ask
that they WI! not lose sight cf this act OF
"ppless ION, Why am ordered SO summa,ily
To one OF the most uHInv!tlng cruises known
10 the service, and denied The usual privileges
accorded 10 each and every branch Of the
Navy 1t Is not IN punishment Of any want
OF official diligence or cnlcavor in the homes t
discharge of duty. boldly affirm that
| Ihe record OF the Department, II appealed to,
WI! show, by facts that connot he. that all
/ the Government has ever demanded of me,
and more has been chVcrluily aud promptly
( rendered. When the war IN Mexico was
raging. Songht active employ meut. in the
wal and obtained it. have never skulk ID
| from service, whenever an cXi.rney arose.
| doly any one to prove from the record
that In anything, at any time, in any
| place | have left undonc aught that was com
mitted to my charge Why, then, am sin
| glcd out for prescription, and not permitted
to ENJOY the indulgence usually melted out To
/ Others The question is easily answered.
| possess the Independence TO think aud feel
and act as an American citizen Oh American
soil. On great questions Of national policy
/ have dared to exercise the right to think
and speak out the honest convictions of my
own deliberate Judgement. | am a native
| American, and therefore it is that | am
stricken down. Rumor tells me when
and where the blow was aimed. Richmond
and Portsmouth tell the tale. | was no,
allowed the rest needed after the severe ill.,
ness occaSioned by my attentions ON the diving
seaman OF the Susqnrhauna. | am not allow
cd to remain on shore DUTY the time ordinarily
allotted to others.
| This is indisputable, and vet no charge has
! been or eau be |a'd against me OF want of tidei
| ily Or efficiency Oh the score Of duty. Foreign
crs and Roman Catholic supporters of the
| administration, Zea IouS partlZanS can obtain
all they ask and feed on the fat Of the land
as the record shows; but a native ci,izcr
who has the buldncss to exercise the elcctiv,
lranch Use and discuss the conflicting policies
o! the day, IS denied everything and forced
to SEA. This is fully established in my own
case. Has 1t come TO this, that man who
clings to The privilege of Speaking out hi,
sentiments on the political question Of the
day, which comes to him sealed with the best
| blood OF the Revolution, is to be punished fol
his umacy by an administration which
rewards political services in others and stands
comn.ittcd before the country to the theory
/ II is we'll known that others have done tn,
hehests of the party in power and are now
doug them, who are undsturbed
II the Amy ard Navy are to be made tn,
tool of Executive will, denied the privilege.
enjoyed by the meanest freeman compelled
J l. ! = = rr -rrrI rv-7 -;
or find in Africa place of punishment fol
their independence seems to me that we ar,
fast approaching the day of doom. have
friends with whom it has been my pleasure tc
act. They will bear the standard proudly on
| hope trlumphantly. My heart is with them
| still With Tho h., g., I r. -