New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-02
OFF FOR THE BLACK REPUBLIC.
MR.. DOUGLASS SAILS ON THE KEARsARGE.
COMMENT AND CRITICISM CAUSED BY THE
CHANGE OF VESSELS AND OF COMMANDERS

CHANGE OF VESSELS AND OF COMMANDERS
THE TRUE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS.
The sloop Kearsarge, which fixed herself Id
the minds Of all loyal hearts by the drubbing she
gave Captain Raphael Semmes and his privaieering
crew. when she sank their vessel, the Alabama. on
the harbor of Cherboure, France, on June 49, 1884.
has added another instance 20 her lustrous and we'll
preserved record She sailed from the Navy Yard for
Hayu yesterday with Frederick Douglass who years
and years ago wellearned the title Of Honorable
which is again attached to his by his being APP
pointed Minister to IIayti by President Harrison. On
The deck aft back Of the boats a. she passed under
the Brooklyn Bridge, about 10 a. M. could be seen
Mr.. Douglass. his wife, 10 whom he was married about
four years ago; Mrs. Parker, his daughter and f. d.
Bassett recently IIaytlan Consul General at this port
and now Mr. DougIass's secretary catching the las,
sounds Of the salute OF fifteen guns fired by the Navy
Yard battery In honor of the Minister. 1t was rain
ing hard, but as the of the Kesrsarge headed
down toward the Narrows. and sandy Hook opened
to The view, the clouds broke and a October
sunshine lighted over the ship a good omen.
The Passengers win occupy the cabin on the trip,
and In another week they will arrive Prince
The officers Of the Kearsarge Commander WIN.
lam H. Whiting; lleutenant-commander, Charles Bel.
KNAPP leutenants j. d. j. Kelly Walter COwles and
J. III. Oliver ensgns, G. r. French and George
Cooper; chief engineer, j. II. Chasman assistant en-.
u.
Rogers surgeon. A. VI. Moore; assistant surgeon.
II. 7. b. Harris; naval cadets w. b. Franklin NJ r.
Reed and W. X. Harrison first lieutenant Of marinee
George Bates.
The official personnel OF the Navy has never given
The public such fruitful topic for discussion as
the ono connected with the transportation to Hayti
Of Frederick Douglass, the man regularly appointed
by the President OF the United States as Minister
TO Hsyti. Not since the breaking out OF the Civil
War. when several OF the officers Of the Navy with
Southern antecedents and preIudices, deserted ths
flag OF the Union and pledged themselves no the Con-
federacy, has there been a question which has caused
much comment and cri, cism among the officers
themselves said officer attached the Navy Yard
yesterday. The officers IN the Yard and upon the
ships there discussed the subject among themselves
and especially that part Of II which resulted in tho
change of the commander OF the Kearsarge: bu,
IL was with much difficulty that any information could
be obtained from them 10 the Of the sudden
detachment Of Commander Edwin NJ. Shepard and
the ordering Of Commander W II. Whiting to succeed
him. There a report IN official circles that Com
mander Shepard under arrest, but no one would
or could confirm this. There doubt that such
was the case, since the offence which Commander
Shepard had given sufficient to warrant .
cOurtmartia
one of the officers, and one in a position which
suggested that he was as well acquainted with the
facts as any one. said Il regret as much as any
one that there has been this trouble about the trans
portation of Minister Douglass; it is dsgraceful 20
the whole service that there should be anything
done that would suggest dissemination to associate
with a regularly accredited official OF Mr.. Douglass
rank because Of his being a negro. Why, Mr..
Douglass has been in public life for a great many
years; he Is man highly respected not only among
public men, but by private citizens with whom he
has in contact, and he has moved in the bess
society. lie member Of President Grants
SantO Domingo Commission and when with them
on the frgate Tennessee associated with the officers
occupied quarters with them, and the
table. But recent developments suggest that there
has been great change in the Navy since then, and
am sorry that anything should nave occurred TO
reflect unpeasanty upon members OF my
corps. as Commanders Kellogg. Evans and Shepard
are. Whatever may be said in their defence, tho
impression will remain that they protested against
Mr.. Douglass going with either of them because Of
his color. They cannot claim that the regulations
forbid the transportation of civilians as passengers
and that they protested on, that ground.
" II is stated that Commander A. G. Kellogg who
commanded the pee. not detached because
he refused to take Mr.. Douglass as a passenger 40
the same time, il was arranged before he was de-
tached that Mr. Douglass should go 10 Iayt on the
ossipee, and Commander Kellogg remarked that it
would have serious effect upon him among his
Maryland friends. few days later he was detached
Then commander ROb.ey. D. Evans, who Is Vi>
tIhlLn was ordered 10 succeed Kellogg. and a few
DAY, later report was sent from the ship that
she could not possibly 20 TO Iiayt account OF
the bad condition of her boilers. Then the Kear.
sarge was designated TO take Mr.. Douglass much 10
the chagrin and disappointment Of Commander Shep
ard lie was away ON leave, and when he returned
ON Saturday he called upon Commodore Ramsay. and
expressed his opinion. | don't know the exact Ian.
euage he used, but Commodore Ramsay ADVISED him
not TO kick against secretary Tracy for the latter
Old soldier, "A disciplinarian and with q
Thorough knowledge OF official etiquette. NeveIN
thecS,, Commander Shepard a. Cnce wrote a letter
10 Secretary Tracy in which he strongly protested
Hsyti. lie declared that there were accommO-
dams board for Mr.. Douglass and his family.
that there was not sufficient bedding Or linen ana
jnat il Mr.. Douglass must go he would vacate tho
cabin JUS' before yesterday Commander Shep
ard was surprised with telegraphic order OF detach.
mept ard Commander william II. Whiting. who had
Al the Yard, ordered 10 succeed Shepard. whit
ing at once had. his clothes and other
things taken on board Of the ship. and hs
accounts were transferred. and he al once assumed
tion of Mr.. Douglass and those who were 10 accom-.
pany him. Commodore Ramsay. who had leaLned
that Commander shepard had made no preparations
whatever except TO Vacate the cabin. knowing NAV
Mr. Douglass had expected TO board OF the hear-
sarge I'm the afternoon and to dine there sent WORD 10
Mr. Douglass dine at the hotel and 10 come on Doan
ding and linen fear that some OF the Navy ohcers
feel thaG what Is principally required or them i 10
qualify themselves for the entertainment OF sOcley'
But. / apprehcnd that the effect upon the lecep-
nlpasant II Is well known that there has been
cIamO, among the IIaytians for the United states 10
send a white man as Minister. they VIII pfooaoly
take advantage of what has occurred here' ana NOT
receive him cOurteously.'
THE REMOVAL OF CAPTAIN SHEPARD.
Washington. Oct. OSpeciaD-Ths fact that Captain
Ncopn nd Oft ha