The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-07-09
COM. FARENHOLT TALKS
A Manly and Honorable Reply
to Base Charges.
NO NEED TO DEFEND HIMSELF
Many of AstOria's Citizens Have AS
sured Him of the Position He
Holds With Honest People.
NO NEED TO DEFEND HIMSELF

An Astorian representative yesterday
interviewed Admiral Walker and Com
mander Farenholt concerning the actions
of a few prominent citizens" on the
evening Of the Fourth OF July and found
that the actual offense, as far as the
throwing of explosives on board the Col
rmbine was concerned, had been some
what exaggerated. The subsequent at
tack upon Commander Farenholt, how
ever, has very greatly surprised and
shocked both himself and the admiral
the latter being particularly sorry that
such vile and unprovoked comments
had touched the commander, an officer
whose splendid record in the military
and naval service of the United States
is beyond reproach. The matter is all
the more surprising to many prominent
residents of this city, who know by years
of personal acquaintance how unfailingly
courteous and honorable Commander
Farenholt Is, and how eager he has been
to show them and their fellow citizens
every attention
The commander said, II do not think
that anybody who has ever met me will
accuse me of undue harshness in my
speech or manner. Thess men who came
down to the ship on the evening of
the Fourth OF July were drunk, and to
a certain extent not responsible for their
actions. 1t was our national holiday as
we'll, and taking all these things into con-
siderauon must say that no great harm
was done. "A bomb was thrown and /
Immediately said, "Please, gentlemen go
away; you are disturbing the admiral"
Besides the chance OF disturbing him /
was also afraid that they might endanger
parts of the ship with the large number
of bombs they had with them. 1 asked
them courteously to go away, and it is
absolutely untrue that spoke harshly.
though the provocation to do so, you
must acknowledge, was great. don't care
to discuss the manner of answer 1 got
from these men, but they did not leave
and / went after Captain Richardson,
who ordered them to desist and get away
from the side Of the vessel. The subse-
quent attack on myself is of no conse-
quence. Several of my friends here have
assured me since yesterday that the
respectable element of the community
deeply deplore such villainous underhand
methods, and you will understand that
the sources of these accusations bring
them beneath the notice of gentleman.
AT dinner last night number of your
most honored citizens took occasions to
show me how impossible it was for any
man to defend himself against such cal
umnies and how foolish 1t would be to
notice them. 1 therefore desire to say no
more about the matter and to tell you
that, while personally 1 cannot help feel
ing hurt, I realize how unwise 1t is to be
disturbed for my own sake or the sake
of my friends by such cowardly and un-
provoked attacks"
In accordance with the wishes of the
commander several signed communica-
tons received ait this office since Saturday
protesting against the conduct of this
mob of insulting drunkards, are withheld
Their writers will understand the Astor-
ian's reasons for keeping them out OF
print.