The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-29


There is a story of polite Frenchman who,
when asked why he did not save a drowning
man who had fallen into the Seine, replied
that he had never been favored with an intro >,
duction TO the stranger. This anecdote hes
been recalled by what We understand 10 have
been stated by witness before the jury of
inquest now investigating the case Of the Bo-
hemian. A shipmaster was on tue stand and.
as reported to US, stated substantially that y
he had felt sure the ship was going upon the
rocks, aud that all on board WOULD PERISH,
he SHOULD NOT hare said anything 10 the Of
.fcers Of the ship about IL, that II he had com
mand of the ship he should rot expect any
such interference on the part OF a passenge-
and that, as passenger, he Should have no
right to give advice unless called upon to do
so. If such is the prevailing idea of the pune
tilios to be observed on the quarter deck il
seems 10 us it needs some amendment, ard
that the rule would be more honored in the
breach than in the observance True, pas
senger has no right 10 interfere with any ex-
ercise of legitimate authority on The part OF
an officer on shipboard. He would have n
right to countermand an order from the au-
thorities of the ship. Perhaps he would have
no right TO give unasked advice to man 1T
the wheel or any other subordinate of the yes
sci. But when ship, freighted with yalua-
Bile property and more valuable lives, is feel
fng her way in the fog near tho bore and
soithout a pilot, and a nayigat we'll ac-
quainted with her situation is On ,ard, and
is conscious OF her danger and that she is
heading directly for destruction, Il seems to
us that no Captain with heart / meath his
vest would be lacking in most prof and graf
itude to him for proffered sugges lion, ard
that no such navigator, with pro Der sense
of responsibility to his fellow-men. ould h )
itate a moment TO give the commander the
benefit of his information, through fear of
trenching upon the etiquette T. be observed
in such cases. By the same rals at would
close his mouth in sHeh case, lie could IT
give an alarm il he saw the flames beginning
TO creep around among the dry timber contig-
uous to the furnace, because il is the watch
mans duty to scent the danger and to make
it known.
1t is feared that similar rel nd for pune
tilios at the expense ofhumanity's dearest in
terests, has had much TO do with some of our
disasters in the Geld. Able Generals have
been left unsupported in the most critical si
uations and AZ the most critical moments,
merely to maintain etiquette. Official digni-
~ has stood in the way Of the salvation O.
precious interests. 1t may be all right, bu'
we don't see IL, nor do we believe in it.
the poorest and most humble ContrabanG
knows fact that will be OF infinite service to
a Commanding General, such General should
be willing TO profit by the information; and
the private individual knowing fact that
would turn the fortunes OF war and save the
field, and yet refusing 70 communicate it TO
headquarters, if able TO do so, practically
would be traitor TO his government So,
too, az we look at duty, the man on shipboard,
knowing fact which, IL communicated &c the
master might save the ship, her cargo and her
precious freight of human souls, and yet on
u punctilio refusing or neglecting to commu-
nicate such fact becomes responsible for all
the disasters resulting from his silence winnie
the man in any position Of authority aud re-
sponsibility, who would refuse TO listen to the
humblest individual who could impart saving
truth in an hour Of terrible necessity and da1-
ger, is not fit to be entrusted with response
bility, and should never have the lives OF his
fellows placed in his keeping Life is more
than etiquette; aad he who practically sets
aside this principle awakens suspicion that
he is reckless Of human life, and is untitled 10
be entrusted with its custody.