The times., 1898-07-29
STOOD BY THE FLAG.
A story of Schiey When He Was
Only "a Nidshipmnn
dom the 20 York Mail and ExnressN

(Prom the New York Mail and Eypress)
They tell story a true. unvarnished
story Of him that touches the patriotic
chord Of every man in the navy who han
pens to hear it for the first time The Civil
War had just broken ont when brother
was to meet brother and fathers shoul-
dered their muskets TO kill sons Th.
Niagara had just come home from the
Asiatic station proud and as impregnable
in those days as the Iowa or the Puritan
Is today. Getting into soundings the
boys heard of the news the sad news that
threatened TO divide Union the grandest
and greatest that God had ever blessed
and that man had ever fostered. The
word came aft in the usual way that bad
news travels and shipmates of many
days looked at one another, shook their
heads and said
You are Southerner Jack can't
fight you"'
And you. Bill. are Northerner I'd
be a dog TO fight you!'
That was the spirit and they the men,
The South wanted men. wanted them
badly. The North called for patriots
and hands went TO the gun butts. But it
was hard to ask those of the Niagara.
North as well as South. to draw arms
against one another. Military laws re-
coguiZed no other laws where military
laws rule, and ii Just had to come TO
t4i' IlhiitIL RHtl the captain OF the snip
had 70 ask how many of his old ship
mates and friends cared TO stand by the
old flag He called her officers together
and as they gathered about the long, old
fashioned table in the old ward-room, he
said 10 them. his voice trembling with
expectancy with every word
Gentlemen. this question of the Civil
War is the parting Of the ways. Some
of us will never meet again. and some
be right. Uncle Sam has educated. fed
and clothed US. and We have sworn to
stand by him. Yet. no oath can bind a
man beyond the strength of his con-
science and changed conditions make a
changed man. On that table / have
written out the dear old oath of all
legiance. I have signed it. l stand by
the flag. Let each of you go to his
cabin and think it over: then let him
come back here and sign below me- or
let him go his way in peace"
Then they went away, white-faced and
undetermined. A half hour passed before
the first man came back to put his name
to the paper that meant Uncle Sam could
have his life if needs. but not his sword
Then others followed until nine names
appeared under that of the commanding
officer. The others had gone, gone to the
South that claimed her sons just as the
North was doing. AS the ninth man was
appending his signature to the document
the captain came into the cabin picked
up the paper and shook his head. The
name he looked for was not there He
dropped the paper and turned to go away
when he heard a heavy, determined foot
coming down the companionway 1t
seemed to him that he recognized that
foot. Yes. he was right.
A young, handsome, tall midshipman n
from Maryland approached the table. and
the captains voice faltered as he asked:
Winnie do you sign?"
AYE, aye. sir. Same flag and same
Uncle Sam in Maryland as in Massachu-
setts, you know
God bless you. boy" said the captain.
Your father and l fought side by side
as lads in 1872. and while there are some
of us going away | prayed God that your
fathers son would stick to u.s.
! The midshipman? Go ask Winfield
! Scott Schley, commodore flagship Brook
/ lyn. He stuck TO the flag when others
didn't. He is sticking to it now.