Washington sentinel., 1898-12-24

OF all its blunders and all ITS need
less suffering and sacrifice OF lie.
Hobson shouIdBe Called In.
The country has been under a
we'll meaning but apparently mis-
guided impression that Naval
Constructor Hobson has his orders
to proceed at once to Manila.
Presumably the intention was to
have Hobson concentrate his
talents in the salvage OF the Spanish
vessels sunk there by Admiral
Dewe!' some months aPO. The
idea, according to popular impress
sion. has been that the Spanish
vessels OF Manila were not so badly
used up as those at Santiago and
that Hobson, while he was not
equal to the latter problem, might
be OF some use in the Philippines.
Evidently, oWever, the country
labors under a misapprehension.
1t cannot be that Hobson has been
ordered to Asiatic waters, for the
newspapers tell US from day to day
that he is zig.zagging all over the
country like some one night show,
delivering lectures on the MeTi-
mac and winding up the perform
ance by kissing a lot OF SILLY and
maudlin young women who had
mu -h better have stayed home and
behaved themselves.
We confess, says the Washing
ton Post, that we, too, were mis-
taken. We imagined that HobsOn
was en- route to Manila, and had
congratulated ourselves upon the
prospect OF his speedy disappear
ance from an arena in which he is
not figuring at all to his own adj
vantage. OF course, it will not be
understood that we are disparaging
Hobson's courage and address in
connection with the Merrimac
affair. However the wisdom Of the
original idea may be challenged,
there can be no question as to the
gallantry OF the young man in un-
dertaking the forlOrn hope. We
should be the last to detract from
the courageous bri!liancy Of that
memorable affair. Ii is true that
every officer in the fleet volun
teered to execute Admiral Samp-
sons unfortunate and ill-adVised
plan, but the tact remains that
Hobson secureI the trust and that
he discharged it with a daring and
a GOODNESS which we cannot admire
too much. All that is understood.
Hobson acted with trae heroism
and he is entitlt d to all our thanks
and praise.
But we think we may safely say
that Hobson IS rapidly diminishing
his own proportions and alternating
the respect OF the American people
by this transforming tour Of his.
His persistent posing before audi
ences in differentparts OF the coun-
try, anC-worst Of all-his nause-
GUS osculation Of the semi-hyster-
fcal women who throng to hear
his so-called lectures-these as
poets of the case are taking on the
properties OF IDecac. He is max
ing himself both cheap and tire
some. He is diluting the worth OF
military achievement and clothing
renown in the cheap hahlliments
oftheatrical display. The country
is tired OF the wb ole tawdry, melo-
dramatic performance, and senst
BILE and thoughtful men are won
deriug why the Navy Department
permits such melancholy y nonsense.
II Mr.. Hobson had modelled HIM
self uDon Capt. Clark, Of the Ore
gon, who after accomplishing one
oS the most brilliant exploits oi
this or any other war, retired from
public view, he would have to-day
a much 6rmer hold upon the re.
spect and approval OF the Amer
can people. Since he has chosen
another and less admirable course,
however, the NAVY Department
would do well to consult the
dignity OF the service and to call
him in.
our Healthy Infant Industries.
.