Chapter 55 - Page 2

gaining political rule; but not a little is to be
apprehended concerning their perpetuating or creating abuses
among their subordinates, unless civilians have full cognisance
of their administrative affairs, and account themselves competent
to the complete overlooking and ordering them.

We do wrong when we in any way contribute to the prevailing
mystification that has been thrown about the internal affairs of
the national sea-service. Hitherto those affairs have been
regarded even by some high state functionaries as things beyond
their insight--altogether too technical and mysterious to be
fully comprehended by landsmen. And this it is that has
perpetuated in the Navy many evils that otherwise would have been
abolished in the general amelioration of other things. The army
is sometimes remodelled, but the Navy goes down from generation
to generation almost untouched and unquestioned, as if its code
were infallible, and itself a piece of perfection that no
statesman could improve. When a Secretary of the Navy ventures to
innovate upon its established customs, you hear some of the Navy
officers say, "What does this landsman know about our affairs?
Did he ever head a watch? He does not know starboard from
larboard, girt-line from back-stay."

While we deferentially and cheerfully leave to Navy officers the
sole conduct of making and shortening sail, tacking ship, and
performing other nautical manoeuvres, as may seem to them best;
let us beware of abandoning to their discretion those general
municipal regulations touching the well-being of the great body
of men before the mast; let us beware of being too much
influenced by their opinions in matters where it is but natural
to suppose that their long-established prejudices are enlisted.