New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-24
A F1ITHFNL OFFICER.

The death of Captain Grace, OF the NatlODa
Line steamship A rcrica, was caused by hi
Jealous performance Of duty. He had been OI
the bridge fOrty-twO hours without sleep
exposed during a great part nj the time t.
drenching by the heavy seas that broke owe
the yessrl, and his mind kept on the strain by
n terrible and persistent gale. When the shiT
was safe, and not before, he ended his lOng
watch and went below: bat the pressure had
been too great for him, and n cOngesfve chill
Carried him off in a few hours. So died
| Captain Grace, who had made one hundred
1 passages across the Atlantic Without se-io us
accident and in his death we ha, the explana-
tim of his success. This man bad high
standard of duty and acted up to it. His sense
of responsibility was keen. He never
delegated his own functions to another.
Whenever danger was present he was fonnd
at his post, and there he remained until the
danger had passed. Such devotion to duty
challenges publ confidence and admiration
and Captain Grace possessed both but it is as
rule the least common virtues which appear
brightest to the world.
Fidelity to duty of course depends largely
upon the ideal of duty held. This is IA self
indulgent age. and the tendency to think
more of rights than of OBLIGATIONS is so marked
in 1t that the quality of conScicntl0usness
seems 10 be Weakening and diminishing. The
public no doubt continue 10 recognize and
appreciate deeds OF srlf-sacriice and heroism,
bit there is n disposition 10 enlarge the scope
of the heroic which implies a lowering of the
common standard of duty. A very high
degree of sef-abnegaton was formerly
rcqu red to bring IN action up tn the true
heroic Plane. To-day many seem tn see in
what would in the past have been considered
IL simple performances of duty, proof of heroi@m.
Captain Grace was undoubtedly a fine example
of the noblest class of seamen and there is no
these. WHAT they do, however. is what, ac-
corlpg to the old fashioned principles they
hold every one is under moral DBL cation to
do; and it is Obvions that il every one acted
on this theory great many things would be
mach better dOue than they are done. Sense
of responsibility is the root principle in ques-
ton chiefly. This feeling seems to be dying
OFT as the OF ganlzation of labor repre- sses ill.,
dividaalsm and increases the Importance of
trades, orders and classes. The man whose
future is in the hands of an association, and in
whom tho duties of others to himself are
being far more closely sluded than the duties
owed by himself to Others, is not likely II rise
to any heroic height, no matter what the
circumstances.
No doubt we find sufficient supply of men
Ike Captnin Grace for the poSlt rs which
demand snch men. Next to the fine seamen
who as a rule command modern passenger
steamers there is no class more loyal to duty
than the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
They Occupy analogous positions to that of
the sea-captains. Many lives are daily
entrusted to them. The welfare of thousands
depends upon their faithfulnesS. And how
rarely does one of them betray his trust! But
It is clear that there goes discipline to the max
ing of such men, and If they we're not accus-
toned to be conscientious in snail things they
could mt maintain high standard in greater
ones. One of the prime needs of the time is
Just this discipline. Men like Captain Grace do
their dut, as IA matter of course, and take no
credit for doing it, This unfortunately is not |
the prevailing spirit. The seIf-conScous, |
analytic, egolistlc modern asks himself |
whether he is under obligation to DO such-and-
such a thing; whether his neighbor should not |
first do something else; whether he Is not in |
danger of dong more than he is paid for;
whether it " i'll be profitable to him to do his
work as well as he can. All such doubts and
queries are fatal TO loyalty and CONSCIENTIOUS
ness Captain Grace went Oh the bridge when
the gale began and stayed there till 1t broke.
Then he went away and died. That was faith
fitness 10 DUTY in the fullest and highest sense
We all aclInow ledge it we all admire it; but
now many of us would be capable of doing the
,amel