WRITINGS OF SAM Housrn~, 1857
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for these desertions unknown to legislation, we know not where the evil is to stop. I desire to remedy the evil of desertion, and also to ascertain whether the views of Congress have been carried out in relation to the Navy-whether the naval retiring board has really produced that salutary influence upon that arm of the service which is suggested by the Executive. These are important' questions to propound; and as this in- formation, we are assured by the honorable chairman, can be furnished in a very short period, and as the Navy Department has no disinclination to furnish it, I cannot see why a curiosity, which in itself is natural, should not be gratified, when it will cost so little. I can see no objection, unless the object be to screen persons who are responsible for delinquencies, for errors, or for crimes, from that reprehension which should always be visited on them when they have justly incurred it. I cannot find a reasonable excuse for rejecting this resolution. If it implied censure upon any one, it might be reasonably objected to; but a resolution inquiring into substantive facts which already exist, to see whether remedies can be applied to existing evils, is a rational, a just, and proper purpose, and one that I shall insist upon. Sir, I cannot understand the idea that individuals who have avoided the responsibility of appearance before a court-martial by resigning, ought not to be exposed; nor can I understand that we shall do wrong to any officer whose conduct is being investi- gated by a court-martial,·by calling for facts. If other facts are necessary to his condemnation, in the estimation of impartial persons, than the facts already disclosed upon the trial that is now in progress, why not allow them to be furnished? I have read the testimony in the case; it is before the public; and laying any information before this body which is not exposed by that court cannot inculpate the individual to an extent which the testi- mony adduced has not already done. I am induced to offer this resolution from an extreme solicitude for the well-being of the Navy-from an extreme solicitude to ascertain whether its condition has been improved, and whether the persons retained by the retiring board were worthy. I know that some of the most gallant, daring, generous, intelligent, and patriotic spirits in the Navy of the United States were remorse- lessly stricken down by that board, disgraced, and made the scoff of the world, so far as their condemnation could be considered a disgrace. I trust the result of that action will at least be an admonition for the future not to intrust in the hands of men-
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