Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/509

 even an imputed citizen of the United States? What does Gibson say? After respectfully presenting his case to the consideration of Congress, he says: "By the action of the late naval retiring board, I was placed on the furlough list. When that act was consummated, I had but a short time previously returned from a long cruise in the United States ship St. Louis. Having been her executive officer during the whole period of her absence from the United States, and having obtained from her commander (Ingraham) a letter testifying his satisfaction at my performance of the executive duties of the ship, I joined my family, and was with them enjoying an interval of rest after so long an absence from them, conscious that I had performed my duty, with no thought or apprehension of approaching evil, when the letter from the Secretary of the Navy, notifying me that I had been put on furlough, came upon me like a blast of the hurricane, sweeping before it ail peace of mind, all comfort, and almost even hope itself. You may possibly imagine, sir, the feelings of a person thus circumstanced, on the receipt of such information, but it is impossible for me to describe these feelings. And why, I ask, have I been thus dealt with? I know not. I, however, feel a perfect confidence that no charge can be established against me which can affect my efficiency. I therefore contend that the board have treated me most cruelly and unjustly."

Has he not a right to say it? Again: "I have never skulked from my duty, but have obeyed with alacrity the orders which I have received for sea duty. This is proven by the fact (as shown by the Naval Register of 1856) that I have performed seventeen years and eight months' sea service, which is within two months of as much sea service as has been performed by the commodore who acted as presiding officer of the naval retiring board, though that gentleman entered the navy exactly two years before I was born; and I can also show, by the same register, that I have performed more sea service than twenty-six of the post-captains, and seventy-nine of the commanders, whose names are there registered."

Is this an ordinary case? No; it is an extraordinary one. Here a gallant man is struck down. The eloquence in which he describes his emotions can receive no additions from me. His language is the expression of a wounded heart, suffering under the pangs of wounded honor and lacerated feelings. It requires no embellishment. It has the bright embellishment of truth, prompted in its utterance by wounded honor. I will ask the honorable chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs if this is not a case for the interposition of Congress? How will you reach it? Through the action of the President? If he had an opportunity to restore him to position and favor, would the naval board acquiesce in it? No, sir; they would not. It would be a reflection on their judgment and on their action; it would compromise their honor, and the infallibility of their omnipotent judgment! He has no chance but through the interposition of Congress. Hundreds are in a similar situation. Will you permit them to remain the degraded victims of personal hate, and spite, and envy, and jealousy—down-trodden, pointed at by their companions in life as disrated men? Every avenue to success is shut against them. They have no opportunity of making their way through life; for, if they are retired, or furloughed, or dropped—no matter though they were the souls of honor—no underwriter will underwrite for any vessel with these gentlemen on board as officers. No, sir;