The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-05-18
Dewey 5 Action Based on
Nelson's Motto.
ssPhe Boldest Measures are
the Safest" !" Said the Great
est of All Sea Fighters.

est of All Sea Fighters.
r. Admiral Dewey had encountered
NTH disastrous results the sorpedoes
that had been laid for him, or If bis
ships had gone down under tue com,
hined Gre Of the Spanish forts and
crn;sers at Maaila. we would all be
blamioe him now as loudly as we are
praisiDg. .,;. =
ali the successful naval commanders IN
history J; he acted 90 the theory OF
Nalson. the greatest Of all sea fighters,
vho throughout his dazzling career
held it as an axiom that 1.-The ooidess
measures are the safest. "
The Fabian policy has often worSea
wonders on land !; have never read OF
aoy great achievement is has wrought
a sea There 1t has beeo the man who
ran the risks that has VOC, the mao
Who has defed hiddso and open dan-
pers acd sometimes taken chances soas
seemed foolhardy Victories on laod
have been Won against fearful ODDS !;
hns the aower Of safety sad OF glory
has been plucked from the netsle dan
per far ofseuer 90 the sea-
There ia something in the nature o :
ehinys that conduces TO this ditfe renee.
an land there are so many chances for
diiasory sactics that are not presented at
sea SO macy more opportunities for
indicions resrsa. aud deliberate ma
poeugers s for advsntageous position
The grea. rsnge Of our modern guas
has lad 40 propor,iosase effect on the
ranga 81 payai warfare Fighting at
sea / las ever been, aud probably ever
Min be- al close quarters. The sea
dogs ay at each others threats. Men
On ! ship canDos run agay collectively
s readily s. meo 90 the laod and iods-
yidually they are uuder 40 'nhrlsely
preaser doress that reaches dowo to the
bottom Of their lighting qualities
There are many records Of heroic dar-
;ng as sea- which make our blood t'pgte
q L did when we read the story OF
sDeWayss 40 matched victory at Manila
"a isndsnen these recssals carry an
extrs drill for the simple sea IN 'sseif
Has for them 40 element OF terror
Who but militant sailor would have
thonobs for 1 moment Of attacking suo
vessels stronger shan HE when bis
MS o.n Vas riddled and rocking and
almost sinkiog1 Ye. Paul Jones did
that aud With his noribuad crafs con
1ouered ber brace ef lssts enemies
Perry vas rash at Lake Erie. bat i;
vas time when prudence meant
ram Hall had an unequal show
against the Gaerriere, but be sans
her q With ooe brosdside from the Teaker
C3ns:isution.
Tia response Of Paul Jones to the
Ear.ishmao when he had beeo almost
5viirpea cff the water aud by all the
ruIes of CON mon seose should have
hasieosd 20 surrender. Il have just
bspa. 70 fght," is in tune With the
spiris Of all the glorious heroes OF the
wave.
What daredevils the men who go
dom Is the saa ia ships TO dgh. have
hAan In all history!
Like Ti.sn 1eslized ont OF the
,.hs sse.ns ssasdy old Tronp sailing
up IS and doxa the Eaglish channel as
gsily as 4 modern yauhssuao oa a
nsessurs cruise With broom at tue
s,asshead Of his flagship as token
tha, he mean. 20 sweep Eoglaod from
che sea-, apd be came near doiog It
Frauc;s Drake, in spite os the Efforts
Of Haak;ns so bold bin dowo. Son
we'll the name Of Dragon Of the
Seas. Spain bad never before fe't an
arm like his. Half pirate, loving a
s,hs as most neu love luzury aeso
,u.ely without fear aud largely without
conscience. Ce WY VI on W.
E.pIand the ons she most aeedec IL
his tina II writer Of 6csioo should
picsuse 70 us suoh man We would
ihrow dowa his book aDd sign over
ths wisdnees of his fancy
Bo. this same Francis Drake vas . .
real mao. a very practical ooe. and
q aai.e terrible one to those who came
10 ais say.
Ii We could sumnoo as wi'oesses
those who we're inhabitants of Gadls on
the le;h of April. 1887. We would be
asls 90 Obtain some very interesting
testimony on this point.
Drake slipped INTO the baroor q
Cadiz 10 tbe night. as Dewey DAD a.
Manisa. and the nexs morning when
the -Spaoiards on shore add 10 toe bay
avoke there he was-quise the most
potensial nan thereabouts and OK bis
kind ip toe whole world at that time,
not in force Of feet and armament. bu'