The Portland daily press., 1862-11-22
For the Daily Press.l
The Case of Commander Preble.

That we, the people of Portland who have
known this excellent officer from his boyhood
up, his uncle, the Commodore, and all his
family, should be deeply greved at what has
happened, will not be wondered at. But our
chief concern just now is with the service. If
faithful and efficient officer, may be disgraced
forever, by a dash of the pen, after service of
twenty years, and without investigation, what
have our best men to hope for, either in the
navy or army, if appearances be against them
at any time?
We want examples-not scape goats.
The whole affair seems to be case Of mis-
apprehension; and we hold that Secretary
Welles could not have done otherwise, at first,
under the circumstances.
In his first report, Commander Preble speaks
of the "mortifcdtion" he feels at the escape
of the strange craft.
And Admiral Farragut, in reporting to the
Secretary of the Navy, not having the details,
before him, says the escape was unaccountable
or mysterious, or something of the sort-we
cannot refer to the exact words now.
Under such circumstances, what was the
Secretary to do? Great complaints -alike un-
Just and insolent--had been made of his ineffi-
cheney and slowness. Notwithstanding his
vast labors, and the foresight and comprehen-
siveness of his plans, whereby the most aston
ishing results have been secured, he was held
answerable for the escape of the pirate Sump-
ter, as he is now for that of the pirate Alaba-
ma, and that of all the sea-rovers that are
running the blockade of our Southern coast;
as il with our few vessels of war, and our two
or three fast steamers, drawing too much wa
ter tor the business, we were able to watch
thousands of miles of sea-coast and river en-
frances. night and day, and in all weathers,
and picket the seas. Many good officer had
failed in some unaccountable way, to do what
was expected of him. Vessel after vessel had
escaped from under our very guns; and even
the loyalty of some of our best men was ques-
toned. Is it to be wondered at, if the Secre-
tary, stung by the sarcasms of the newspapers
and exasperated by the insolence and false
hoods of the politicians, on receiving such a
report from the officer in command, who had
SO distinguished himself in his promptitude
and efficiency, saying the transaction was
wholly unaccountable, or mysterious; and
strengthened by the acknowledged "mortifca-
ton" Of Commander Preble, as if he was over
whelmed with self-reproacb, should have in
stantly determined to make an example of
him? Could he have chosen better case, to
show that '.fdroritism" must not be reckoned
upon to shield any man from the consequences
of misconduct? If a nephew of Commodore
Preble, after service of twenty years, during
all which time, not whisper of complaint
was ever heard against HIM, man alike trust
worthy, skiful and brave, should be cashiered
without hesitation, because, in critical time,
appearances were against him, what chance
would the untried, the unfearful, or the slug
gish have, with no previous reputation, and no
friends to help them under similar cireum-
stances?
Yes-an example was needed. And thus
far, the Secretary may well be commended for
his energetic promptitude-or rashness, if you
will-even rashness being better than back
wardness, on such occasions, where we are
obliged to Judge from appearances, and can
not wait for legal demonstration any more
than, if the ship were going ashore, and an Of
fcer should oblige you to cut him down for
seeming disobedience?
But beyond this-now that the facts are out,
and we see that instead of being bameworthy,
Commander Preble deserves commendation,
what shall be done? The Secretary does not
want scane-oqst He can afss,-a ~ .-ap-
unanimous; and though Admiral Farragut,
having once declared the delay to be unac-
countdble-cannot be expected to unsay it in
so many words, yet be says enough to satisfy
us that he is satisfied; and the Secretary will
so understand it when he has time to look in-
to the business. jim.