The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-13


tbose inferior In strength, and skuikin
. awav from those able to resist. IL wa
| IN the nature ~ poetic retribuuo
. | mar ON so nearly the same stage wher
paul Jones. In his single weak ship, ha'
desperately fought and so gloriously whip
ned n British fleet. this skulking VOL
among ships was cornered by one no
superior in strength. flying the flag tn
wolf had so often sought to humiliate
and suffered the vengeance she had 81
long euded."
This is a most exaggerated and unfair
Characterization OF the Alabama. and one
that no doubt owes its inspiration rather
10 sectional hatred of the South than 10
any belief. in the justice of the remarks.
The Confederacy had, by all the accept
ed rules OF international law. earned the
place amongst nations Of belllgerent, and
she had been so acknowledged by the
nations OF the world. This gave her a
right to arm and equip cruisers to cap
ture enemies ships wherever they could
be encountered upon the high seas. IL
is idle to rail at regularly commissioned
cruiser OF the Confederacy, as "a skulk-
ing wolf among ships" "seduiously de-
voted 70 plundering those inferior in
strength, and to skulking away from
those able TO resist" We were engaged
in war between two nations, and the
Confederacy had every right Of war
that belongs 20 any nation when making
war. Amongst these rights is the right
L, " I0
bic by driving his shipping from the
sea, ana depriying him thereby from
intercourse with other nations, whereby
he may supply himself with mon and the
means OF war In sending the Alabama
out against the merchant shipping OF
the United States, the Confederacy was
simply performing one OF the most or
binary and obvious acts of war.
The Yankee has no just cause of COM
plant against the Alabama. except her
efficiency in aiding us and injuring him.
But We OF the South have good reason
TO complain OF Admiral Semmes for
fighting the Kearsarge He need not have
fought her lie could easily have steamed
out OF the French harbor at night, and
have escaped her. But his spirit OF COM
bativeness was too strong In his ex-
cess OF courage he thought he was
match for the Kearsarge, and
he wanted to fight her. But he did the
Confederacy great injury when he took |
this resolution. His part was not fight |
ing the enemy. unless a fight was forced |
on him. but driving the enemy's MGR
chant marine from the sea. If he had |
been victorious, and had sunk the Xear-
sarge, he would have done his enemy
little harm. That enemy had an abund-
ance Of Kearsarges to take her place.
But we had only one Alabama. and no
means to replace her if she was lost.
Semmes fought a battle, therefore. in
fhich he had everything TO lose. and
nothing to gain, and no one can tell
low far his gallant but rash act con-
ribuied to the final overthrow Of his
ountry.
knowing that the action would take
lace, the commander Of the Kearsarge
ook the precaution to protect the sides
I his ship with iron chains. which
c painted the color Of his ship and there
y misled Semmes, who supposed he was
shtinS ship unarmed like his own.
emmes complains bitterly Of this in his
ook, as cruel and unfair advantage
iHen OF him. We cannot admit the jus q
ce Of his complaint. The Yankee was 8
lere to destroy his ship, and not TO ,
sht a society duel with him. or to shoot {
lth him for d prize. We do not blame a
IN for taking every precaution in his
or TO make sure Of sinking the Ala $
lma. Admiral Semmes' logic would put
end in war to surprises, ambuscades. !,
I'd masked batteries and Notifications. :
uses have always been favorites with il
eat commanders. 2
Judge Mclaughlin told us a good story =
lich is quite apropos. In one Of the %
gagements in the Valley, he had TO take Il
5 battery off the field, and in pretty n
lex order. The Yankees had his range. o
d poured shot and she'll into him while &
was going off. one Of his men. who
not have too much stomach for a
ht said 10 him: Captain. is not this Q
rbarous and inhuman conduct i'm those -
nkees to be firing on retreating foe" nj