New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-14
DEFENDS HOBSON'S HEROISM.
CAPTAIN MILLER. THE MERklMAC 'oH-
MER COMMANDER. REBUKES
YOUTHFUL CYNIC.
fc,or,emondence Of the Associated Press)

fcorremondcnce Of the Associated Press)
Key West, Fla June 9.-One OF Lieutenant
Hobsons greatest admirers and stanchest
friends In the Navy is Captain Miller. late com
mander Of the Merrimac. An incident when
brought to light Captain Miller's devotion ana
LOYALTY to his heroic friend occurred last night
on the porch Of the Key West Hotel
A small group was assembled in front OF the
hotel entrance discussing the published reports
OF the sinking Of the Merrmac. There was not
a single naval officer in the group. although
quite a number were chatting and smoking on
the veranda before turning in for the night.
The conversation turned after a while into
more analytic channel, and one of the speakers
remarked that In his opinion all heroism was
tinged with selnshness and that all deeds OF
bravery were prompted by egotism and the
morbid craving for notorety. fame or self glori-
fication.
CAPTAIN Miller. who had heretofore been listen
ing unnoticed to the CONVEX sation hearing the
different garbled reports Of action. the details
of which he knew so we'll, sprang to his rect
and addressed himself 10 the youthful cynic
who had undertaken to discuss the ethical side
Of Hobson's bravery.
May I ask who you arc. sir7" asked Captain
Miller In a courteous and dignihed manner. put
IN a voice Quiverins with suppressed anger anu
emotion. He waited for the answer and then
said:
IT am Captain Miller. commander OF the Mer-
rtmac I overheard your remark ana WISH "
tell you that have known Lieutenant Hoosoh
for years. / was his professor at the NaVai
Academy, and have ever since been close 10
him Eager and anxious as 1 was to be allowed
the privilege OF taking the Merrimac into the
Santiago channel, felt a certain pride In Ad-
n
knew him to be a man fearless and oraVe' oe-
voted to his duty and his country
"Tbere ia not one particle of senshness in Mr.
Hobson's makeup, I assure you and on tht
night that he sank the Merrimac he went iorth
IN meet almost certain death without single
thought OF self.
Now, I beg you to contradict the statement
you lust made. Won't you please retract IL!
Captain Miller's words were listened 70 III
silence and a grateful reparation was expected
for the thoughtless and hasty expression 'ia'
had called forth this polite rebuKe.
Far from II. however. The iconoclaeuc young
man stood his ground and refused TO allow zap.
tain Miller's opinion to overdue MS o"" i'e"'
to free thought and expression ,
Eor fuijv fifteen minutes Captain Miller argued
with his opponent, and repeatedly invited NM
to take a more lofty view OF he.olsm' pu' u ho
avail. The young man finally said: that +,
You don't mean to tell me, Captain, that IL a
man with home ties engaged affections is
ordered to carry out desperate pan III VIII.
sure death ia his only material reward, and that
man does not funk. but obeys his orders. that
his real motive for so doing ana the oniy w.
thar nrompts him to do what you call his DUTY,
is not the voice OF selfishness-the ambition and
vainglory Of having his name go down 10 history
as a hero and martyr do YOU! g,
sir" said Captain Miller bowling. Il have no
desire to waste my time answering questions
made by a man Of your convictions. peg tnese
gentlemens pardon for having intruded; put as
q representative Of the United States Navy and
a friend of Mr.. Hobson. I would advise you 10
walk down to the dock and drown yourself
can now realize why you don't understand
what heroism means. ood-night."
Captain Miller walked away and called TOT the
KEY to his room. The unheroic young man mas
been seen alive and dry since daybreak.