Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1854-10-26

LIZ lhe New lolk Illtunc Las a ST
we're attack up on Capt. Luce, because he
di not do more on board the Arctic to save
the lives OF his passengers. IL is n very
simple matter for an editor b sit calmly in his
easy chair, surrounded by comforts ana
Injuries, and indulge in wild and unreason-
able ~iancies, to make a thousand sugges-
lions rs TO what ought to h We been done
aud what ought not to have been done, and
TO breathe out bitter and scorching words
Of censure and Remuneration This any
half witted fool can do bat j, is another
thing to be in command of Il noble ship con-
tanning over four hundred human beings,
and to meet with a terrific accident on the
Occan-to be deserted by officers and crew,
and have this crowd Of beings looking up
to one man for preservation. Under all
the circumstances, Il must be entirely clear
to every reasonable man that Capt. Luce
did everything in his power for the prcser-
walton of the lives of those who were en-
trusted TO him. 1t is true, he may now, in
bis safety, look back and see some little
\ thing which might possibly have added to
the chances of saving a few more lives,
had it have occurredito him to have done at
the time. But Capt. Luce is but a human
being, and is liable to the same errors and
imperfections which characterize the race,
and the only wonder is that under all the
circumstances, so startling and overwhelm-
ing in their character, he should have been
sufficiently cool and self.possessed to make
the efforts that he did. Did he display AIRY
Of the elements of a !cringing coward-did
he desert his ship and attempt to save his
own life, or that of his "darling Willie a
poor little crippled boy? No, he was gull.
ty of none Of these. lie made no eff T. to
save himself until his noble ship Sank be-
meath him and he had gone down with her
he refused to let TIT, helpless son be plac-
ed in a boat, while women were u%nprovi-
son dashed out, and his body floating on the
ocean, a lifeless to~rpse,-after passing
through all this, the arm Of God sustained
him, and his life was preserved. If this
conduct was cowardly-if such actions de-
serve censure, then we are at a loss to con-
cieve what constitutes true heroism in the
eyes of the writer in the Tribune. We
would give more, ten thousand times over,
for the reputation which Capt. Luce will
hereafter have, in the estimation of all rea-
sonable men, than TO possess the wealth and
The reputation of the Tribune and all its e.
itors combined. Greeley should review his
own life and repent of the infamous attacks
which he has repeatedly made upon the la
mented Webster, and the efforts which he
has and is constantly putting forth 10 dis
solve the Union, and create the most bitter
and vindictive feelings between the people Of
the North and the Southland a thousand
other heresies and sins which stand agains.
him, before he attempts 10 reproach Capt.
Luce for a want of energy on that terrible
occasion, or charges HIN With any der llc-
ton Of duty at a time when he literally stood
at the gateway of death, and was surs in
the belief that no human power coul save
him.
We expect next to find the Tribune be-
smearing the memory of the gallant young
Holland, and saying tina, he did not fire his
signal gin frequently enough, or that his
charges of p,wder were no, large enough to
make a sufficiently loud report of the can
non, to be Of any avail. Both cases would
be equally reasonable and just, and each
would be entitled to like consideration and
respect.