332
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
the belief that the proceedings of this board were in accordance with the genius of our Government, or with justice and truth? It can not be done, sir. The officers who were passed upon by the board were not permitted to be heard in their defense, and no examination whatever took place. What was the rule by which their cases were determined? Documents that were filed in the Navy Department-and of which the chairman of that board assures us "free use" was made, running back for a long lapse of years, in some cases from fifteen to twenty years-were brpught before the board. The archives of the Department were ransacked, and charges that had Iain in the musty pigeon-boxes of the Depart- ment were raked up, and officers were adjudged on such evidence. Sir, who was here to examine into the charges preferred against Captain Pendergrast? Who was there on that board to examine the charges filed against various members of it, and upon which they had never been arraigned? If they arraigned officers on actions of the past, it was an ex post facto proceeding, violative of the Constitution and the chartered rights of every American citizen, whether in public or in private station. The law could have no operation upon such events. Why? Because they had transpired before the enactment of the law. But, sir, were officers adjudged by such considerations? Yes; and by rumors that had long gone by. They were not arraigned on facts in reference to their present condition in the navy. The charges against them were not of recent date, for the board went back for a quarter of a century, and with the address of scavengers imputations were brought up by them against the character of their brother officers. They were not heard on the subject; no intimation or suggestion was given to them that they were to be tried on these matters susceptible of explanation; but they were condemned by men against whom flagrant offenses and delinquencies had been charged, and those charges still stood on the files of the Navy Department. Sir, can you call these proceedings just? Was it in the contemplation of the officers of the navy, when they entered the services, that these were to be the criteria by which the char- acter and claims of gentlemen and officers and their places in the navy of the United States should be determined? I think not. Under these circumstances, is it possible that the Senate can sanction such inquisitorial proceedings and such condemnatory acts as grew up under influences of this character? They were never contemplated by the law. It is to remedy these evils that we urge the appointment of a special committee and for what purpose? To ascertain the facts. Will not the members of that
Powered by FlippingBook