Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-23
A THRILLING REMINDER.

The report that comes from Tangiers,
Morocco. of the outrageous acts, as al
| legged, Of L. S. Consul Lewis in causing
the imprisonment of persons upon their
refusal to pry large sums OF money de-
manded Of them for what purpose IS
not stated). brings to mind an incident
/ that took place at the same place about
twenty-five years ago in which the U. 5
! consul stationed there at that time
played a conspicuous part.The student Of
the history of those times will remember
! that on the arrival of the famous Confed-
crate cruiser Alabama at Gibraltar on its
/ cruise around the south African cape,
! its commander, Capt. SHINES, failed to
obtain supply Of coal there and sent
his paymaster and another officer
| across TO Tangiers TO procure the
needed supply. Learning of the presence
of these officers in that place the
Z. s. consul at once took
steps to cause their arrest, which was
done, and they sent Off as prisoners OF
war to the United States, despite the
protests of the representatives of other
nations and an offer of So, 900 in cash from
the imprisoned Confederates for their
release.
This incident delayed the departure of
the Alabama for Cheborg, France.
whittier it was bound for extensive re-
pairs, for several days, and but for
which that vessel would have been
placed upon the docks for repairs before
the arriva. of the United States man-Of-
war Kersarge, that had been on the hunt
for the Alabama for several months.
Consequently the engagement that took
place the next day, and which ended by
the sinking of the Alabama, would in
all probability have had different Sc
quel if, indeed, the privateer had not
escaped and continued upon its
career of destruction of United States
commerce upon the high seas.
To this very act Of the United States
consul at Hangers, therefore, more than
anything else may be attributed the
summary destruction of the terrible de-
stroyer, and this was the only instance
Of which we have record where repre-
sentative of this government essayed
such bold scheme, though the Alabama
put into scores of ports in almost every
country bounding the Atlantic ocean
where United States officers were
stationed; the most that was accom-
plished by any Of them being to prevent,
in few instances, that vessel from OBJ
tanning supplies. The action of the con-
sui at Tangiers was SO remarkable and
Its consequences SO momentous that it
called out expressions Of severe condem-
nation on the floor of the English parlia-
ment, though he was sustained by this
government.
What lends special interest to the Incl
dent thus briefly narrated, and which
occurred quarter of century ago, is
the fact that the principal actor, the
hero of the occasion, is a citizen of
Wichita, the Hon. James De Long, who
resides on Oak street near Maple, on the
West Side. A history of Mr.. De Longs
life, from the time he left the farm in
Ohio and entered upon the practice of
law, at the age of 36 years, down to
within the past few years, would form
an interesting volume, embracing as it
would many thrilling events at home
and abroad. Unlike many men who
serve the country in an official capacity
and retire to private life with COM
potency for life, Mr.. De Long is well
along in the sere and yellow of mans
without fortune and COM
PEELED to rely in part upon his own
private efforts for maintenance q The
invaluable service he rendered his
country in time of peril entities him not
only to the gratitude of all loyal hearts,
but to a more generous treatment than
he has received.