New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-08
sRCRRTARY TOUCEE.

The last Report OF our Secio'ai) VI TUG '"'
elected much more critical aud laudaiory re-
view from III, LOados Tine, than 1t received
from any American Journals aud, as general
thing, it is undoubtedly true that British Journal
ist. manifest liyelier interest in the condition
of our Navy than is shown by our own writer's
for the press. Tho reason for this anomaly is
obvious; the very existence Of Great Britain
az power among the nations depends upon the
efficiency Of her Navy; and while che nurses her
own maritime force as her chici arm OF defense
she watches with eager solcitude the naVai
movements OF her rivals. The January number
of the Cornhil Magazine, n work in which We
look for articles Of light and amusing character
only. contained three articles on the subject oi
the Navy. When We built the Niagara steam
frigate. abe created the liyelies. excitement
among our transatlantic relatives, who immedi-
ately set 10 work TO build n match Tor
her; when the French added the iron-oased
ship La Gloiro TO their navy the Brltons imme-
diately built the Warrior 10 compete with her,
aud Tie Tunes, after commencing Secretary
Toucey's last report for It's boldness, IN recon-
mepdiuq an increase Of our steamships Of war,
expressed the greatest surprise at Tho absence of
any mention of tie interesting subject OF iron
cased ships, which had been 80 actively discussed
for tho past twelve months, both IN Great Bnl-
ain and France. The surprise Of The 1Imes was
very natural, for it assumed, no doubt, that our
Secretaries Of the Navy are men who not ONLY
feel an interest in the service OF which they are
the head but that they know something about It.
NJ be "A greater mistake,
We doubt whether the Chief Of our Navy has
ever heard Of iron-cased ships, or given himself
the trouble 10 learn what improvements have
been mnde in lie nayies Of other nations. III
ia wen known that 70 limited HE
knowledge Of naval affairs, that when he
visited the Maynard in Brooklyn, aud vas
shown the machinery for making oahnin, he III
CURED why the rope walks were not located
near the oakum shops. TO save the trouble OF
Transporting the raw material he having labored
under the belief that cordage was manufactured
out Of otkum. But, unhapply, lack of Prac-
tcal knowledge Of bis department is not the
grayest fault We have 10 lay ut the door OF tho
Secretary Of the Navy. II 10 painfully apparent
that If he has not been actually party TO the
Mr.. Buchanan's Cabinet, ho bns done nothing to
defeat their Vaccinations, aud has shown an IN
comprehensive Indifference 10 the honor and
safety Of tho service Of which no is the head.
Officers who have openly avowed their sympathy
with the rebel States, and who have actually
rendered their rcsimstons, instead OF being
put under arrest, have been politely TO-
quested to hold or a little longer, while the
designations of others who have di,honored the
NATIONAL flag By their t-aitOroUs conduct, have
been accepted without q remonsiEanee. In not
one solitary instance hls Mr. Tvucey shown
disposition ~ protect our flag from the foul dis
grace that has been heaped upon it by the trai-
torous and dishOnOrabe conduct Of the officers
who had sworn TO defend il. The conduct Of
The Captain Of tie Pensacola Navy.Yard in CIV.
ing up Lis post ut the summons Of mob, not
only without the slightest attempt to defend him.
SELF but in spite OF the rem0nstraaces OF the
Captain OF Marincs, who desired the privilege OF
protecting the public property, produced no re-
proof from our incomprehensible Secretary. "lf
"any one attempts to pull doan the American
alag" writes Mr. Secretary Dix to the captain
Of revenue cutter, Z" shoot him on the spot
But Captain Armstrong stands quietly By
and sees one Of his subordinate officers pull dewn
the national flag and hoist rebel flag in its
Place without uttering word of remonstrancej
he merely expressed his regret that his native
State Of Kentucky had no navy into whose SER
vice be might enter and tLen left the rebels in
possession of his post. To 90 OF to wash
ingtoa and report hiu!sef TO the Secretary