The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-02
A Curious CHAPTER.

by the Dane to one of his castles which
stood on the brink of deep, wild gorge, |
into which it was impossible to look with
out shudder. While the monarchs were |
standing on the battlements overlooking |
the chasm, their conversation turned upon |
the systems of government they repre- |
scented, and the power they respectively |
welded Finally the car asked the Da-
nish monarch if he would like TO have the
illustration of the unquestioning obedience
he exacted from his subjects, and was told
that the illustration would not be unwel-
come.
Thereupon the car called to his side an
officer attached to his suite, pointed over
the battlement into the terrible gulf below,
and said, Jump The officer turned pale,
looked wonderingly up at his sovereign,
who only waved his hand and repeated in
q more imperious tone, "Jump sir, jump
Without another word the unfortunate man
sprang from the wall and was dashed to
pieces on the rocks below.
THE NAVAL SERVICE.
Happily the time is past when subjects
are called upon to attest their fidelity by
such sacrifices yet in the military and n
val service of all civilized powers there is
exacted almost as servile compliance with
authority, and almost as much sef-abne-
CATION, as the faithful but unfortunate at
tendant of Russia's great monarch exhb-
tied and in no service in the world is this
subordination moro co.nplete than in the
British army and navy. The English SOL
der has long been regarded as mere ma
chine, servile in obedience and patient un'
der injustice, meeky submitting to many
wrongs. without offering even protest
against the abuse of authority. Consc-
quently the British army and navy is won
derfully barren of exciting revolts bloody
mutinies, or troublesome Decentralization.
A notable exception, however, is the
great mutiny in Admiral Buckner's fleet,
in 1877, an event which filled the kingdom
with CONSERVATION, threatened the desiruc-
ton of England's supremacy on the sea,
and to overturn the whole fabric of her
naval power.
TIE GREAT MUTINY.
During the year 1916, and the early part
of 1897, the English sailors had been pc
titionng parliament for certain reforms in
connection with the naval service. The
action of the authorities had been tardy,
aud the petitioners lost patience. The
financial embarrassments of the nation led
to great irregularities of pay, and still fur
ther increased the discomfort. Very little
attention, however, was paid to the threats
of the indignant sailors, and it was thought
that the prompt punishment of the boldest
GROWERS would quell the growing discon-
tent. However, one fine day in May, 1897,
the British nation was startled by report
that Admiral Buckner's fleet off the More
had mutined, and that twenty-five ships of
war we're in full possession of the mutin-
GERS. The movement was so sudden, and
tie success so complete, that for time the
government was completely paralyzed.
There was no force at hand sufficient to
quell the revolt, and for several days not
even show of resistance was attempted.
THE INsURGENT ORGANIZATION.
Meanwhile the mutineers grew bo.1eI.
and proceeded to perfect their organization.
For the proper government of the captured
fleet congress was formed, composed of
two delegates from each man war and
one from each gunboat. The affairs of
each vessel were controlled by committee
of twelve, chosen by the crew.
THE ADDRESS.
The congress selected a young sailor
from Admiral Buckner's flagship, the Sand
witch, for president, and then drew up an
address to the government, which the de-
posed admiral agreed to transmit to the
British admiralty. This document set
forth that the petitioners were not disloyal,
but acknowledged then, as ever, their al
legiance to the king; that their attitude OF
apparent hostility was only an earnest ef-
fort on their part to obtain justice, which
being granted, they would instantly return
to duty, and his majesty would have nc
more loyal or faithful subjects. The re-
forms they asked were as follows:
Tristan increase of pay and an increase
nf rntiopc hath Of IN ipl, hax nj cd TO he
inadequate.
Second-A more equal division of prize
money, giving the common sailor reason.
able share of the spoils of war.
Third-A speedy adjustment of all ar
rears and more prompt payments in the
future.
Fourth-Liberty to go more frequently
on shore when not on duty, and less petty
tyranny on shipboard.
This paper was LAID before the British
admiralty, and brief note sent in reply
stating that no intercourse whatever would
he held with them so long as they main.
tanned their present insurgent attitude, anG
that unconditional submission must pre-
cede negotiations.
ENFORCING THEIR CLAIMS.
While all this was transporting the flee
lay off Sheerness, and the crews were daily
on shore, where they paraded with mucl
show and stirring music, carrying a rec
flag, the usual hue of characterization. Or
the ed of May, however, troops were sen
to Sheerness. and the mutneers were con
fined to their vessels; here they soon grew
restless, and the government still refusing
to enter into any negotiations with them
they resolved to enforce their demands
Accordingly the mutnous fleet was put il
Il. -. I'll. 4
the congress, called to the command, wher
they moved down TO the mouth of til,
Thames, formed in line across the channel
and announced
THE BLOCKADE OF LONDON
Not a British vessel was permitted to en-
ter the city or depart from it, but all at
tempting it were seized and held in tn
name of Parker, to whom his followers ha
given the title of admiral; the foreig
vessels were given a pass signed by til
insurgent commander, and thus protected
proceeded on their way.
II was not long before the vessels he'll
by Parker were enumerated by hundreds
and the metropolis was in perfect fronz
of alarm. 1t was a new sensation for tn
British capital to be in state of siege
But the government was still without tn
force necessary 10 compel respect iOr II
authority ; it however, firmly refused TO hol
any intercourse with the insurgents, leay
ing them to reflect during their inaction o
the terrible nature of the offense, and III
attitude of hostility they had assume
against their country, the parliament an
the king.
At this time the force of the nsurgent
was truly formidable, comprising not les
than
TwENTY-FoUR SHIPS OF WAR,
carrying, in the aggregate, nearly 1000 gun
manned by fully $4,000 men; and a shoi
time after this they were Joined by six frig
ates from the Texel, which had been ser
home by Admiral Duncan for repairs. A
soon as they became aware of the reform
their shipmates were struggling for, they
too, hoisted the red flag and sent their Of