The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-10-04

The cyew OF the ship Washington, their noble com
mander and the Of all board the i'll fated Win
chester by their almost supsrhuman exertions, will
doubt be fresh in the recollection Of your readers The
brave conduct Of Captain Fitch and bis called forth
spontaneous demonstration Of sympathy and admira-
ton, which took the form Of substantial benefit
developing itself . subscription to be distributed
among the captain and There Is trait In the
character of our people more indicative of high
standard Of thought and feeling than their quick appre
cacn Of courage and daring in whatsoever way may
be called forth.
1t Is therefore douty necessary. when large Of
money is subscribed for the purpose OF ssstying the
to give en- ire satisfaction not only the sub
scribers to the fund.- but also to the recipients tins
Conc.iving this to be the du Of those charged
with the distribution, we were somewhat surprised ct
the awards Of the committee OF merchants, tbs par
tcuars Of which appeared 10 the HERALD o, Saturday
last We have NO fault to fnt With rhe awards far
they CO. do ~sh to dispute the valuable ser
vices Of Cap ain Fitch Mr. King the chief officer any
other man to whom Q sum of mouey or medal has been
awarded On the contrary. we heartily concur. "a Far
they concerned in the acknowledgment OF their
powerful exertion but the awards did 60 enough
the engineers and lett outS II the committee had
decided according to the facts which appeared il the
have been differently rendered II they have resolved
aty contradictory additional evidence the particulars
ought be given to the public for until this Is dons
they Will be unable to agree with the decision The
cir although entirely left out in tn award
nevertheless prominent Ia their and sacrifices
as the foosiDg quotation from the chief officers letter
which published at the time, will show
Mesns Matthews, Terry, Fleet, Msxson Kesting. and
the two Keterd Of the engineers not only
sisted 10 getting the emgra board bu.
whole ensineers department rendered every possible
vice In the terrific emergency One Of the boats
manned exclusively by them and their incesAnt exertons
excited the wArmett gratitude OF the rescued.
The exertions Of the doctor also must have beef IN
mense ant bis services suitably aok ~ledged
Mr.. King, the chief officer although ment
wha has been awarded By the commi tee either
him or the engineers.
There not of the crew that did not contri.
butte equally to the result for sl unanim usly voiun
tee1ed their services and BY their energetic assistance
and uncsasipg attention mitigated, in measure
the horrors Of that terrible calamity It may be urged
that all we're rewarded, the remuneration ssuli ne
cecsariy be small and therefrs, worth acceptance
We answer that those who had fearlesy riske their
lives the chsuce Of saving their feo creatures
caruot be remunerated in the sccsptation of
the word, and nth ugh the amount Of the award may
AID perhaps ought he proported to .hs rank Of the
tiIisnt tina tbs common sailor would prize his sim pie
medal highly the hrs. officer his valuable
timonisl
We hope, however, that the exertions OF tbs doctor
and the engineers Will 30 suitably ackno wledyed and
that every Of the ~il receive token Of
his presence At the rescue Of 30 many human beings
from a vafery grave
Every soldier who assists at victory receives medal
testimony Of his presence and wears 1t hi breast
mark of honor; tbs tailor who encounters equal
danger In saving his fellow man ray, thins, with
equal pride wear similar deco;at JUSTICE.