{"id":"01KG8AMH35JZEZ8GXRHMB6EMS5","cid":"bafkreief3c2fjfavr3ueqbvozhakkkxxodpi6xacvhlxd6hoxu7n5j24n4","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":4484,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:36.270Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 4","source_file":"01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY","start_line":4461,"text":"True, all experience teaches that, whenever there is a great national\r\nestablishment, employing large numbers of officials, the public must be\r\nreconciled to support many incompetent men; for such is the favouritism\r\nand nepotism always prevailing in the purlieus of these establishments,\r\nthat some incompetent persons are always admitted, to the exclusion of\r\nmany of the worthy.\r\n\r\nNevertheless, in a country like ours, boasting of the political\r\nequality of all social conditions, it is a great reproach that such a\r\nthing as a common seaman rising to the rank of a commissioned officer\r\nin our navy, is nowadays almost unheard-of. Yet, in former times, when\r\nofficers have so risen to rank, they have generally proved of signal\r\nusefulness in the service, and sometimes have reflected solid honour\r\nupon the country. Instances in point might be mentioned.\r\n\r\nIs it not well to have our institutions of a piece? Any American\r\nlandsman may hope to become President of the Union—commodore of our\r\nsquadron of states. And every American sailor should be placed in such\r\na position, that he might freely aspire to command a squadron of\r\nfrigates.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 4"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJQSQFERRZ4XYJRVBK8C4","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AMH35E2TCNSWZGFT9XBMG","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:40.037Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:46.135Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}