The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-01-06

Porter's defense was imprisoned.
Regarding the second charge, he, said:
"If taken unawares by the sudden
ness of the attack or the novelty of the
situation, an excruciated sensibility
may for the time have broken loose
through the guards which should have
preserved me unmoved and self-bal-
anced; yet, after all. bow with humil-
ity and experimental conviction TO the
moral system of compensations."
Doubtless he realized that he had
been somewhat unmannerly in his de-
mands. Doubtless he felt, as everyone
well knew, that he was as little fitted
for sea lawyer as he was thoroughly
fitted for n sea fighter
But the first charge was the main
one, and alone worthy Reconsideration.
Porter boldly justified his conduct. He
claimed that his instructions ordered
him so protect the commerce and the
citizens of the United States from pira-
cy," and that discretion was necessari-
~ implied. lie showed that the Span
ish islands were without proper gov
ernment, and hence not entitled 10 the
benefit of the laws of nations. He
quoted from John Quincy Adams
spirited reply To the complaints of
Spain regarding General Jaekson's in
vasion and occupation of the Floridas
as follows: 'The right of the United
States can as little compound with inn
potence as with perfidy." Indeed, he
seemed to find sheet-anchor in Jack
som deeds at Fort st. Marks and PEN
sacola He argued with Nattel, that
''there are occasions when the subject
may reasonably suppose the sovereign's
will and act in consequence of his tacit
com mands."
But in vain. The court found Porter
guilty on both charges and sentenced
him TO suspension for six m0aths. Re
garding the first charge, it had the
grace 10 say that il ascribed the con-
duet of the accused ''to an anxious dis
position on his part to maintain the
honor and advance the interests of the
nation in the service" But there was
no salve for Porter i'm these words. He
felt unjustly disgraced. He resigned
his commission and accepted the offer
of cOmmander-in-chief of the naval
forces of Mexico.
Though this position was splendid in
power and emoluments, il proved but
bitter exile to Porter. He was an alien,
surrounded by those who hated his
race, despised his religion and envied
his honors. This extract from one Of
his private letters describes his eXper-
fence there:
"a retrospect of the history of my
life seems highly eolored romance
which l should be loath TO live over
again, and it would not be believed if
il was written. Ny sufferings in Mex
leo, the trials of fortitude | underwent
there, exceed belief | could have serv-
ed that base and unprincipled nation,
but they would not let me. But l left
them without stain on my character,
which was not what Others under the
same circumstances would have done"
With the election of Jackson there
came welcome relief. Old Hickory
had fellow feeling for one who could
as little compound with impotence as
with perfidyr in the Dons. And so
Porter ceased to be mercenary and
once more served his country, becom-
ing her representative, first at Algiers,
and then at Constantinople. He prov
ed, as ever, faithful and competent, but
his end was anti-climax from the glori-
Gus days of Essex. He surely deserved
a better fate. than defeat after an un-
worthy struggle with rel tape and
wax. Much might well have been for
given him, for he both loved and serv-
ed much He was a type Of the old
navy, bluif, simple, brave; above all
and through all pytriotic-a type to be
worthily remembered.