The New York herald., 1870-05-23
The Defenders and Defamers OF the Navy
In Congress.

In Congress.
I'm a previous article we somewhat antici-
pated the spirit that seemed to animate cer-
tain legislators in Congress in relation to naval
matters, but we were not quite prepared to
witness the i'll feeling that exists towards this
branch of national defence on the part of in
dividuals who have failed in carrying out pro-
iccts to demoralize the service. While the
discussion of the naval appropriations was
being carried on 1t afforded opportunities for
some of the members to introduce remarks on
the navy that win stamp them forever as able
and patriotic men, who have made themselves
masters Of very difficult subject, and have
thrown their opponents SO far in the back
ground that the latter will hardly emerge from
the obscurity to which they have been con-
signed. 1t is to Messrs. Sargent, of California,
and Hale, Of Maine, that we are indebted for
such lucid expositions Of naval affairs, and
Mr. Archer, also, although democrat and ia
the opposition, could not lay aside the gentle-
manly instincts that belong to him and join in
the abuse of the SERVICE when he had been
placed on the Naval Committee to understand
It's wants and help it through its difficulties.
All three of the above named gentlemen are
entitled To the gratitude of the country for
their noble stand in defence Of an institution
whose decadence would be deathblow to our
country. It must crafty the friends of the
navy to find that it has so many able advo-
Gates on the floor of Congress and so few
| enemies worth consideration.
The people of the United States are too in
telligent to be beguiled into the belief that
! naval affairs are badly administered, when they
have daily proof that the service is being reor-
ganzed and brought into harmonious and
systematic condition, which it has not enjoyed
| for years, and the aims of those who have un-
| dertaken to depreciate it are too well known
! to have any effect Or to need much comment.
Mr.. Stevens, Of New Hampshire, has shown
| 80 much vindictiveness in his late speech that
| he has failed most egregiOusly to carry any OF
his points, which are very bad points, and
would do incalculable injury to the navy.
| This gentleman's term will soon be up, and
without doubt it is the last one he will enjoy
in Congress; for the people of New Hamp-
shire require fair and honorable legislation,
and they hesitate to re-employ man to repre-
| sent their interests whose judgments are
warped by personal and vindctive feelings.
! There never was a more feeble attempt than
the one made by Mr.. Stevens to cast odium
upon the Navy Department. which is part OF
that administration he processes politically to
uphold; and in undertaking to underrate
| branch of General Grants administration, the
management of which meets with the Presi-
dents entire appreciation, he is placing himself
in opposition to all the principles that should
govern public man. No politician ever
| occupied any position in his party who decried
party measures and placed himself in open
| opposition to any principle or question by
which his party was governed.
Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts,, who has here
tolore been the party leader of the republicans
in the House, had not prestige enough TO stand
the attack Of General Butler when the latter
showed the House how enormous had been the
errors of Mr. Dawes figures and on what
slight grounds that gentleman had assailed the
| Navy Department and the administration.
| Mr.. Dawes had to go to Massachusetts, and
| recall all that he had said thus placing himself
before the political world in the character of
a man who makes assertions one day and
! denies them the next, showing entire want
| of consistency and knowledge Of his sub
ject These political errors are 80 annoy
ing that parties never forget them. Figures
| are dangerous things to meddle with un-
less man studies his arithmetic be-
fore going into action, and both Messrs.
| kho ~
| Congress so badly posted that their assertions
were swept away as if by an avalanche by the
counter statements of Messrs. Hale and Sar-
gent, who overwhelmed their opponents with
facts that would admit of no rebuttal.
Mr. Sargent's speech was a mastery vindi-
cation OF the present management Of the navy,
and will be read all over the country as the
production Of q gentleman who has broad ma
tional views and who is true to the best inter-
ests of the navy aud the country He placed
the condition and wants of the service before
the House in statesmanlike manner, while
the sentimental Mr.. Stevens, although pro-
Tossing to appreciate those who have done so
much to add lustre to our flag, never failed
when opportunity occurred to introduce dis
paraging statements against the navy Mr..
Hale, although o young member, showed him
self worthy to be classed with the first lord Of
the English Admiralty-Mr. Childers, who so
ably conducts naval matters on the floor Of the
House of Commons.
I The future will show that the men who have
exhibited mean and contracted views on naval
affairs in Congress will be lost sight of as poll
ticians; for when men are selected for political
positions their constituents have that pride in
their selections to hope that they will at least
exhibit some of the qualities of statesmen.
fho. fhat ihnir