Evening journal., 1898-08-16
SPOKE FOR HoBsoN.
1t Was Apparent That the brave Lieu
tenant Hardly Needed Defend
ing I'm ThiS Case.

One of the boys writing from Key
West tells OF an incident that did much
to relieve the monotony of camp rou-
tine. One evening shortly after the
sinking of the Merrimac to serve as
cork, group Of men stood outside the
hotel entrance discussing the affair
There were no naval men among them,
but on the veranda few steps away,
several sat smoking. Finally one Of
the speakers, whose years did not JUS
tify the high opinion he had OF his own
Judgment, used Lieut.. Hobson as a
text IN stating that all heroism was
born of seliishness and that all dseds
of bravery were prompted by egorEm
and the morbid craving for notoriety,
fame or self-gloridcation.
This was more than Capt. Miller, of
the Merrimac, who sat among the
smokers. could stand. He had said
nothing while listening to garbled and
Incorrect accounts OF an action Of
which he knew every detail, but he
would not sit silent while the ethical
side of Hobson's gallant deed was thus
being disposed Of. springing to his
feet he demanded the name of the
speaker and when II was given said:
81 am CAPT Miller. commander OF
the MerrimaI, ] could not but over
hear your rzr.arljs. and want TO say
to you th,,[f haze known Lieut.. Hob
son for yeue I was his professor IN
the naval academy. and we have been
close frienGs ever sinoe. He was q
hero even in the academy, for, when
the boys of his class practically os
tracized him because he had done his
official duty in reporting a derelictior
on the part Of one of the members, he
followed that line OF duty in a manly
and dignifed way that won ndmira
ton. When the remainder OF tn,
class came to him on the eve OF grad
uation and professed a willingness &c
let bygones be bygones, be quietly de
elined the tardy reparailon, bNI
showed that he was forgiving as wei
as gritty when he said that he woul,
be glad to meet every one of the boy
on terms Of personal friendship after
the final ceremony at hand.
81 was eager and anxious to taxi
the Merrimac into the Santiago chan
mel, but / could not but feel pride II
Admiral Sampson's selection of Lieut.
Hobson. ! know him to be fearlessl.
brave, devoted to his country and with
out particle of selhshness in hi
makeup. can assure you that on tn
night he went out TO meet death h
did IL without one thought of self.
beg you TO contradict the statemen
you Just made. IL is unworthy OF yot
Please retract 1t, sir"
Gracious compliance was expecte
by those who had overheard, but tn
youth with a good opinion OF himsei
/ was persistent and for IS minutes tn
captain condeseended 10 argue wit
him At the end OF that time III
young man said: Captain, you don
mean 10 tell me that man with hon
/ ties or engaged affections, ordered
I carry out n desperate plan in while
sure denth IS his only reward an
i obeys without flinching. needs an
other voice than that OF sellshnes
the ambition and vainglory Of hayin
his name 60 down TO history as her
and a martyr?"
"Sir." anwered Capt. Miller, bowini
"I have no desire to waste my tim
answering questions from man {
your convictions. beg the pardon {
these gentlemen for having intrudc'
but, as a representative Of the Unite
: States navy and q friend Of Lieut.. Hol
son, l would advise you to walk dow
TO the dock and drown yourself. ca
now realize why you don't understan
what heroism means. Good night"
The young man did not act upon IL
! captains advice, but there has been
. noticeable impediment in his speeC
! ever since and he begins TO act like
man who thinks before he speaks