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should be destroyed, and they thought it was very desirable that it should remain, because by it they were all benefitted-greatly promoted. All, or nearly all the principal men on the board had relatives who were benefitted by it. It would be a pity to spoil a work so agreeable and family-like in its nature-a very great pity! But, sir, let me give you another extract: "Congress has, however, confided to the high sense of duty of the officers of the Navy the interests of the country." Beautifully have they requited that confidence-have they not? "Congress has provided active service and higher rank for the young and aspiring; ease, honorable retirement, and undimin- ished pay for the faithful and worthy who have become worn out in the public service; and, in order that this may be done without any additional call on the public Treasury, the younger officers of the Navy, are ready to perform the more responsible duties of higher rank without demanding the full pay of the rank. And the country looks to the Navy to reform itself-but reformed it must be!" . This statement is made by Mr. Du Pont, for he handed in the paper for publication; and it is his-that act made it his. To him belongs the responsibility; and I hold him responsible to the nation-measurably responsible for the outrage that has been done to the country, for the wrongs to individuals, and for the mutilation of our Navy-the destruction of its efficiency, and the annihilation of its chivalry. But, sir, it is admitted that there are some "hard cases" result- ing from the action of this board. The Chairman of the Com- mittee on Naval Affairs has said in his report, that there are some hard cases; but I tell you that some of the hardest cases yet remain in the Navy. [Laughter.] There are cases of mani- fest wrong and injury to men who have been disrated; but the change has given no increased efficiency to this arm of national defense. I can point to many competent and efficient among those who have been dismissed for alleged inefficiency. I have already referred to Mr. Maury's case, and here I will say that he has never visited me; I have never spoken to him during the present session but on one occasion, when I met him at the Presi- dent's House, and passingly saluted him. He has not called on me; he has not implored me to vindicate his character, and sus- tain him as a friend. Nor have other officers done this. I have sought them for information to ascertain, if possible, the wrongs inflicted on them, so that I might, in my plain and humble way,
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