{"newspaper_name": "American watchman and Delaware advertiser.", "edition": "01", "page": "p3", "byline": ""}
THE NAVY.--The late and pending Trials by
Courts Martial of a number Of Navy officers, are
supposed by some to have tendency to inture the
Navy in public opinion and in the worlds estimation.
WHY should this be- the result ? The number of al
legged offences only proves that the officers are com.
posed Of the same materials that other men are
subject to the same passions and controlled by the
same propensities; and that commission in the
Navy does not submate their nature. On the other
hand, these courts show the vigilance and energy
of the Government in detecting and furnishing mis-
conduct, where it exists, and in bringing out, and
holding up TO the world, in the quality OF gold tried
by fire, those who have been wroDgfully accused
and are wherng in the chilly mists OF slandcrous
udium. Instead OF eneryating this great right arm
Of the nation, these calculated TO strength
en- it, by looping off offensive members, setting the
fear Of Courts Martial before the eyes of those who
may require admonitory beacons to keep them off
shore and letting the whole Navy know, as we would
a noble steed by occasional pull that there is a
strong rein and nervous arm upon them. No man
ever thought the less of an officer who had been ac
rused and honorabIy acquitted before Court Mar
tia and no lover Of the Navy would wish to an
offender suffered 10 remain in it. Another thing
ought to be considered: officers in the Navy are
subjec, to laws which citizens not, and would be
court martiaed for offences that in citizens would
be passed over without notice. This, it may be sup
posed, would Cause them to be more frequently ar
ranged than other men but there is less litigation
among them than amoog any other class of people.


Dnlt. Pat