The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-29
FROM WASHINGTON.

The New Naval Secretary Formally Receives
His Under officers.
Special Despatch to The Eoening Telegraph.
WASHINGTON, June 2S.-At noon to-day the
officers of the Navy now in this city were for
mally received at the Navy Department by
Secretary Robson. The officers were in full
uniform, and were severally introduced by Ad-
miral Porter.
Secretary RObesOn's Speech.
After the ceremony of shaking hands had
been completed, the Secretary, addressing the
officers, said:-I assure you, gentlemen, that it
is with feeling of the greatest interest, as well
as pleasure, that meet you to-day.
Though hitherto unacquainted with most of
you, / could not have been ignorant of the
names l have just heard without at the same
time being ignorant of the history of my coun-
try. To have charge of the service of which
these are representatives may well fill the mea-
sure of any mans pride. Your country also is
proud of her navy, and she has reason to be o.
The honor of every country is in the hands of
her representative classes; and in your hands, at
home and abroad, in the past as in the present,
the interests and the honor of your country
have always been safe.
In every domestic trial since our history began,
the navy, as a class, has been true to the integ-
rity of the nation; while abroad, as her peculiar
representatives in the eyes of every people, her
honor has been sustained by your abilities, dig
nifed by your character, and illustrated by your
services. In the presence of such record the
future must be secure, and. in it we all have our
parts to perform in various spheres and under
various circumstances. Let it be our PRIDE then,
in the future in the past in peace as in war,
in the cause of our country, her integrity,
and the free spirit of her Government, and in
the great cause of progress and universal free
dom of which she is and should be champion,
that the influence of the navy shall be felt for
good through all the channels of personal as
well as professional influence. single word
further. The present Secretary of the Navy
in common with all others appointed to that
position directly from civil life will be found at
first to have but little accurate knowledge of the
business of the department. The details of its
professional duties he cannot be expected to ac-
| quire. These are all, under the laws of Con-
gress entrusted to competent professional eX-
perts who perform their duties under strict
responsibility. But the principles upon which
| the efficiency of the service depends and the
general rules by which these principles are APP
Piled and the manner and effect of their appli-
cation to particular cases, these intend, with
your assistance to understand and to master.
1t is not unlikely that mistakes will frequently
| occur, and particularly at the first; but know
ledge, l hope, will soon come in aid of good
| intentions.
All business should be transacted through the
| appropriate bureaus. No favors which interfere
with the rights of others should be applied for,
and we trust none viii be shown except that
favor which superior merit is entitled to receive
at the hands of the Commonwealth. But any
complaints of general or special rules, or their
application to particular cases. will always be
heard by the Secretary, through the appropriate
channels, of course. But there will always re-
main an appeal to the Secretary in person. My
time while remain in this Office, belongs to the
service and to the country.
shall be glad, on any subject of interest to
the service, to see any officer of any rank, at
any time when not engaged in other business.
l desire to be your friend, gentlemen and l
trust you will be mine. shall endeavor to
study your real interests, which cannot but be
identical with the interests of the country
No Changes.
When the officers of the navy had retired, the
clerks of the department were introduced by
Holmes e. Oefley, Chief Clerk of the depart
ment The Secretary said he had received such
| high concentrations of the clerks from his
predecessor, Mr. Borie, that he would not make
any changes.