The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-08-10
SPOKE FOR HOBSON.
1t Was Apparent That the Brave Lieu
tenant Hardly Needed Defend
ing In 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 a
cork, group of men stood outside the
hotel entrance discussing the affair.
There were no naval men among them,
but on the veranda a 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 selfishness and that all deeds
of bravery were prompted by egotism
and the morbid craving for notoriety,
fame or self-gl orifcation.
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 it was given said:
II am Capt. Miller, commander Of
the Merrimac. could not but over
hear your remarks, and 1 want to say
to you that 1 have known Lieut.. Hob
son for years. was his professor in
the naval academy, and we have been
close friends ever since. He was a
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 dereliction
on the part of one of the members, he
followed that line of duty in a manly
and dignified way that won admira
ton. When the remainder of the
class came to him on the eve of grad
uation and professed willingness to
let bygones be bygones, he quietly de-
clined the tardy reparation, but
showed that he was forgiving as well
as gritty when he said that he would
be glad to meet every one of the boys
on terms of personal friendship after
the final ceremony at hand.
81 was eager and anxious to take
the Merrimac into the Santiago chan
mel, but could not but feel a pride in
Admiral SIMPSONS selection of Lieut..
Hobson.. l know him to be fearlessly
brave, devoted to his country and with
out a particle of selfishness in his
makeup. 1 can assure you that on the
night he went out to meet death he
did it without one thought of self. I
beg you to contradict the statement
you just made. 1t is unworthy of you.
Please Ietract it, sir"
Gracious compliance was expected
by those who had overheard, but the
youth with good opinion of himself
was persistent and for Is minutes the
captain condescended to argue with
him. At the end of that time the
young mar said: Captain, you don't
mean to tell me that man with home
ties or engaged affections, ordered to
carry out desperate plan in which
sure death is his only reward and
obeys without finching, needs any
other voice than that of selfishness,
the ambition and vainglory of having
his name go down to history as hero
and martyr?"
"Sir," anwered Capt. Miller, bowling,
81 have no desire to waste my time
answering questions from man of
your convictions. l beg the pardon of
these gentlemen for having intruded,
but, as b representative of the United
States navy and friend of Lieut.. Hob
son, l would advise you to walk down
to the dock and drown yourself. 1 can,
now realize why you don't understand
what hsroism means. Good night"
The young man did not act upon the
captains advice, but there has been
noticeable impeachment in his speech
ever since and he begins to act like
man who thinks before he Speaks
Detroit Free Press.
SDanfsh Royal Standard.
L J.