262
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1856
Senate closes its doors when considering the fitness of executive nominations and scrutinizing individual character." Now, I desire to call attention to what Mr. Du Pont and his coadjutor says in this article of the officers of the board, of whom he was one, and his coadjutor another. There must have been something very self-felicitating in the feelings of these gentle- men when they wrote this article, or had it written, because there are various rumors about it: "The characters and responsibilities of the officers are a guar- antee of the faithful performances of their duty, and publicity would only create a combined effort among those impeached to protect each other by destroying the work of the board. "One observation remains: Congress has allowed captains alone to pass on captains. The other members of the board will be present and witness their proceedings, but without power to affect the result. The indifference, not to say hostility, which has been exhibited ·generally by this grade of officers to this great measure of reform has, it cannot be denied, created some misgivings, in and out of the Navy, as to the course which might be pursued by the representatives of this grade on the board; but these misgivings have doubtless arisen from the peculiar organization of the board, the law vesting such paramount power in five of the fifteen members composing it, than from any doubt in the high integrity and sense of duty of the captains likely to be selected. We will not entertain the shadow of a doubt, that they will execute the stern but imperative duty required by Con- gress in a manner altogether consistent with the highest honor known to the naval profession. Should it be otherwise, the whole proceeding will be a failure; but fortunately the rea..c;on of the failure will be as apparent as the fact, and Congress will know how to apply the remedy; and should it find that any grade has no stomach for exercizing discipline ove1· its fellows, Congress might think it worth while to try the sharper appetite of thefr juniors, whose interests will coincide with their duty." - Oh, a monstrous thing it is if men combine to obtain red1~ess for wrongs which have been done to them! It is looked upon as a heinous offense, if men who have been stricken down and as- sailed, and who have had their honor wounded, repel the attack with becoming manliness. This is looked upon as a conspiracy, though it is simply the redress of wrongs perpetrated by packed conspirators. It is thus characterized by a distinguished mem- ber of the board. They were afraid lest the work of the board I
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