Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-02-19
DAILY GAZETTE.
Heroic Character.

There are few who read that will not remember
,he letter OF Captain Fry, OF the Nirguus, who
was slaughtered at Santiago de Cuba, to his vile,
and which was written the eve of his execu
non 1t eyinced a combined dignity ana tender
nes, OF character, a heroieil eomposure as to his
own fate, and an almost womaniy sympathy ior
chose who survived him which were ineXpressbly
heautlful and affecting. Not III the days of med
ieyal chivalry nor in ITS finest type, Bayatd, who
also persisted by the hands OF the Spaniards, has
there been a nober exhibition OF fearess generos-
NV of character. 1t may seem strange I" ma such
Qualities in the comm lnder oil what may prooably
be called u bocade-runner at the worst but lhe
4yhihition of them was rendered more Impressive
by the fact that this position was probably accept
ed by Captain Fry As u legitimate means, howev-
er humble OF supporting his family. having, lii
common with many ex-Coniednrate naval oiiieefs'
been deprived OF available means OF subsistence
or employment such as they had capacity for BY
the overthrow OF the cause to serve which they
had resigned their positions In the nlted States
navy. Ani this leads us to remark that no class
of Southern men has suffered more from the con-
seauences OF the civil war than those naval officers
who left the Federal for the Confederate service.
They had not, like the army officers, any prospect
of advancement in their profession, nor OF WI
der field OF action, On the contrary, they gave
nm the command OF fine ships and other positions
with hopeful future, for government which
then had no navy and very little prospect OF one,
and had only gunhoats and mud batteries to ofisr
as a field for naval skill and enterprise. When
Point training had fitted them for various civil as
,,eu as military pursuits, had no difficulty in hnd-
m, yocations which would yield them n support,
All it was very different with the naval cfficers
They had only been educated for sea, and when
the couvulsiou OF the political elements subsidized
they were lett pretty much us stranded hsh, high
and dry en- shore. Thus it is that such men as
s'ry. who would have graced any position in any
service died the commander of a blocsde runner
and evidently did not regret to die except Tor The
lis Et.ii,
As the House CT Representatives has thIs ses
sion passed general amnesty bh-which 1t Ii
noned will soeu pass the Seuate-wiii 1t not bs
we'll TO open the way Tor a restoration 10 tht
laval service OF soma OF the best, al least o
the brave and sk,liIul ex-Confederate seameI
who are capable OF rendering great service t.
rhe country In time OF need, ami who, if the.
errei iu sacrificing their positions in 1851 Il
vbat they considered their duty to their naliv
states, have bitterly expaied that errol Th
mass of the people Of this country, both Nortl
mi South. are generous, and disposed AWAY
10 do a graceful thing in behalf OF tde brav
unfortunate In the indemnity which our go'
ernmsnt is under promise TO demand OF th
spanish government 10 be paid to the iamille
az those of cur citizens who were illegally sat
risced at Santiago de Cuba we cannot dout
,hat Capt Fry's wife and children will be care
Tor as sedulously those OF any others WI
were 50 brutaliy slaughtered Fat SAH