The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-08
TO THE OFFICERS OF THE NAVY.

LETTER FROM LIEUT.. CRAVEN, OF TIL MOHAWK.
Basey unprincipled incendiaries have scattered
throughout land doctrines of revolutionary charac-
ter-doctrnes calculated to iname the minds Of the
citabe and houghtless multtudecacuated TO misead
the weak and wavering and 70 lead and incite to
frenzy the needy adventurers-thoae wolves of the
human race who rejoice in that anarchy and disorder
which oosens the restraints OF law, and affords them
occasion for Indulgence in license and rapine.
Sad indeed in the history OF the world will be the day
which witnesses the dsmemberment Of This confedera
tion-dsasrous to the march Of human freedom and
ciyizaonhe event which blots from the page Of his
tory great and glorious nation Of selfruled
The oppressed Of the earh with hopeful hearts, have
long regarded the exponents Of "Lberty, fraer
nifty, equality" God avert from us the abasng ac-
acknowledgement that is not capable Of self govern
ment What humiliatng reflection, that man, in his
passions be ruled only by tbs bayonet, by force
despotc force his reasoning faculties gone he sinks to
the level OF the brute with principle to guide him,
he yields only to force.
officers Of the navy, be as ever loyal brave and true
our beloved country is convulsed with distracng rou
bes our country in danger the cat temple Of Lber
ty founded By fathers and dedicated to the Of
the human race, rs and totters 70 its base; de-
struoon threatens IT. the Vaccinations OF designing men
have brougl. II to the verge Of ruin.
officers Of the navy, country is in peril and IL be-
hoovos my friends consider well aud earnestly what
are our duties the nation which has given honored
places among her sons has enrolled among her defend
ers has reposcd special trust and confidence in our
valor, patriotism and fidelity
There Is among my friends, however humble
his station who has not with audabe PRIDE enjoyed the
honor q being servant Of his country one OF her de-
tenders the seas Of the fosered OF the
Of pationa defence. Ttcre be feeling
ennoblng than that Of him who bears in his
try defence let US be GLOW 10 throw aside that
reposcd In
Wo have in marked manner been the honored and
cherished Of country countrymen have with
exalted estimate valued tn exploits OF heroic men,
whose dee have shcd such lustre our flag, and
Tied in triumph and honor To all parts Of the world
recocct my friends that each one Of is sharer in
all the glories by naval valor; great have
passed away but they have left the honor Of the navy
the honor of the flag, in keeping Some among
have bad the fortune 10 do battle against countrys
fees all OF have had each individual role in the
great machinery b. which ne whole moved the famo
Of our flag belongs TO us and our duty to rally 10 its
support, .-.,...
vice Of our couIsry by taking solemn oath " 10
support the constitution of the United Statesn That
vow, my friends ia recorded on high that vow was
heard by Him who has said, render unto Cpsar the
things which CRsars." We must beware how we
lightly treat solemn oath II cannot be thrown on
cannot ignore the claims OF our country; may, IL
Is true, TO serve but cannot dare not offend
the Most High by turning our arms against those laws
which We have sworn to sustain; nor be too
guarded es by any act Of single stain is brought
| upon our bright cscutcheon.
let us not be deceived by the vain and do sophsries
OF those deludcd who would tell that the United
States only bound together by weak alliance to be
shaken OF at pleasure by any one without much
notice Of the abrogaton decency has
lshed as customary among the civilized nations of the
earth. Iut US discard from minds the illusions Of
these who would in fact persuade that lever had
any nationality. II tbcir arguments correctly based
we have never indeed been nation We arc mere
pretendors, who have without shadow OF right ndoped
national style and law by which impose aeon man.
kind.
let not listen to the reasoning Of those who would
seduce US from our allegiance by special pleading and
abstract questions OF State sovereignty nRemcmber
yonr oath'-"Rememberlv What have we 10 do with
satesp What, indeed have you to do with States those
OF yon who, by virtue OF your national Office arc dis
franchsed by the laws Of tho States which you resie9
The Union is costry; the Union is State tho
constitution Is law. great trust dcvolves on u.s.
Let not the poisonous bane Of revolution have any
ong ranks Let show ourselves worthy of
tho confidence Of countrymen. We not partsans
We must not listen TO treason Ia any shape form We
cannot ahurc dues without being guilty ~ treason;
ard by train ~ reasoning acts against the govern
menf be sty ied ~ any other name than ire lson
The ame Of proudly waving flag bo''rve 10 and
whatever the fate Of that honored ca-'em OF our
countrythat honorcd badge Of power whatever b.
its fate fricnds let us beware that softer ta y
through the navy r. AI'Gs. CRAVEN,
Lieutenant Commanding Y. $. steamer Mohawk.