Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-06-02
ADMIRAL FARRAGUT.
A sailor and Gentleman, and Devout as
Brave.

Brave.
Farragut was a seaman of the old
time when the navy stood apart, with a
history, traditions, and life peculiar to
itself Once off soundings, it owned
the great world and yet had little
world of its own. In no respect would
he have been called the ''sea dog" even
when that term was fiatteringly appli-
ed. He was the sea officer and gentle
man, well bred, keen eyed and gracious.
and competent to take his ship wher-
ever ship could go. An utter sincerity
shone in his life. II is not an uncommon
trait among seafaring men. 1t found
expression in fearlessness of speech.
and won that confidence on the part of
those with whom he had to do which
enabled him to execute through them.
He had the sacred hunger for fame, but
was not influenced by political ambi-
ton, refusing without hesitation when
he was approached with reference to a
candidacy for the presidency. Il am to
have a flag in the gulf, he joyously
writes to his wife, land the rest de-
ponds upon myself" Outside of the
SSANlCt lClAlpJCu AlAAiA'
There came to Farragut throughout
his life, as to other men, various griefs
and disappointments, but he bore them
all with fortitude and dignity. At the
outbreak of the war he exclaimed, God
forbid that l should have to raise my
hand against the SOUTH Southern by
birth and association. he went back to
New Orleans, his boyhood home, con-
queror indeed. but with none of the
eonqueror's pride in.his heart; and yet
among many friends and acquaintance
''no man dared to say he was happy to
see him" Secretary Welles has written
of the annoyances which he suffered
during the last eighteen months of
his life: Changes were made in
the service without his l1nowl-
edge and against his Judgment.
The Office of admiral, which con-
gress had created for him in ac-
acknowledgement Of his distinguished
and unequaled services, was, he saw,
destined by favoritism to pass to an
other In derogation of his real rank
and position as chief of the navy he was
made port admiral, an usher to wait
upon and receive naval officers at New
York-an employment which self-re-
spect and regard for the navy compelled
him to decline. Among other indigni-
ties was that of ordering the uniform
and the flag of admiral TO be changed.
= Farragut would neither change
his coat, nor permit the tawdry substi-
tute for the admirars flag to wave over
him. On his special personal applica-
ton, which he felt Inundated to make,
the secretary of the navy permitted him
to be spared these indignities during his
lifetime, but it was with the knowledge
that the flag which he had earned, the
emblem he had chosen and prescribed
as the symbol of highest naval rank,
was to be buried with him"
Sincerely religious in his nature, his
faith was marked characteristic in his
life. He tells of himself that, at the
critical moment in the battle of Mobile
Bay, when defeat or victory hung in the
balance, he offered up this prayer: 80
God, who created man and gave him
reason, direct me what to do. Shall /
go on?' And it seemed as if in answer
a voice commanded him to ''go on
The people at last saw him only as
the hero dashed to the rigging of the
Hartford, amid the smoke-clouds, flash
ing guns, and roar of battle. 1t was no
act of bravado on his part, but the con-
seriousness that SO he might best fight
the battle, seeing everything with his
own eyes.
Farragut, our first admiral, was of
race which has already passed away.
He brought to US, in this generation,
that high moral grace which made
bravery and strength so beautiful in
those old days. He bore the burden of
responsibility cheerfully, and carried
himself through all the vicissitudes of
long struggle with dignifed and heroic
bearing and thorough patriotism. In
opening the Mississippi he started the
life currents in our body polite which
have flowed SO strongly ever since. The
republic was not ungrateful; the people
delighted to know him, and when he
died the busy world of our greatest
city stood still for a whole day with I'M
covered head tto do Ann reverence"
He illustrated best his own saying.
Gle who dies in doing his duty to his
country and at peace with his God has
played out the drama of life to the best
advantage. Edward Kirk Rawson in
Atlantic.