Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-07-13
From The World.l
Semmes and the Alabama.

The sinking of the Alabama and escape
of her commander continued. for some days
after the event, to be discussed with the
liveliest interest in the European journals,
as will be seen by the copious extracts in
other columns. Semmes and the. rebel
cause gain nothing by these discussions
This noted brigand of the seas was worsted
i'm his first encounter with fighting foe,
and the strange fascination of his name,
with its prestige of invincibility, has gone
forever. Even should he get possession of
another ship, he will be no longer regard
ed, in European estimation, in the light of
an adventurous hero of romance. 1t is
coming to be generally believed that the
Deerhound was near the scene of action,
not by accident, but by preconcert with
Semmes, and it is impossible to regard as a
hero man who takes such underhand pre-
cautions for his personal safety. He will
hereafter inspire no other interest than be-
longs to vulgar freebooter, who Is swift to
plunder the defenseless, but incompetent to
fight the strong who lights up the ocean
with the flames of prizes he can not retain,
AMI sneaks out of the surrender he made of
his person when he struck his flag. IT. as
he maintained in his letter to The Times, the
mere striking of a flag made him so COM
plete master of his captures that he had a
| right to burn or sink, or make any disposal
| of them he pleased, it would seem logically
| to follow, that when he struck his flag all
further control over himself and crew pass
ed to his captor, In such manner as to
preclude any right of escape.
But it is preposterous to suppose that
| Semmes is going to manifestany snch chival-
rous sense of honor as to surrender himself
now on any body's demand, or as to regard
himself as under obligations equivalent to
| IA nf nIIr frian6c QhrOQd and
at home. who are gravely reasoning on this
sentimental hypothesis, are foolishly measur
ing this pirate and cut-throat by the ideal
standard of disinterested heroism. The no
tion that he will surrender himself or that
any neutral power on whose soil he takes
refuge will surrender him, Is ridiculous
| Certain it is, that our Government will never
make any such demand, considering thu
precedents it has countenanced our own ma.
val officers in setting. 1t will be recollecteC
that at the end of January, 1868, the rebe
rams in Charleston harbor came out and at
tackled our blockading squadron, complete
iy disabling the Mereedita and the keyston'
State. The officers and men of the Merce
dita deceived the rebel officers into the be
lief that that vessel was in sinking condi
tion and gave their personal parole as pris
oners. Here was case which differs fror
that of the Alabama in the circumstanc
|, that the officers were not only brougl
= within the power of the captors, but actua
ly gave their parole. On the strength I
; this, General Beauregard, In the ensuin
!, March, sent the steamer Stono, under
q dag of truce, to the commander OF the blocl
f aiding squadron, demanding the delivery
- the rebels of the steamers Mercedita al
: keystone State; demand which our Go
= ernment did not comply with,and which o.
!. newspapers characterized, at the time.
% the very sublimity OF impudence. Wi
= sueh precedent against us, the less we a
Il itate the point Of honor which has be
~ raised in the case Of Semmes, the better
q 4 our reputation for consistency. It must
h. 4 yery elastic sense Of honor which wor
e.. Justify our officers in breaking an actual !
)ic role, and insist on Semmes observing !
cb constructive parole (which Is no parole
I'd ally implied in his striking his flag. II I
on mere fact Of surrender creates all the OF
cations Of parole. why are paroles exa