Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-05
the realization Of Hanna's humanitarian
dream would mean civilization by slsugh-


A CHAPLAIN'S DEMENT1As
Ii Is a rare thing for an army or navy
chaplain 10 be court-martiailcd, but the
Rev. Joseph r. Mcintyre is undergoing
that experience Vie was on duty on the
Oregon at the naval battle of Santiago,
and upon returning TO his home, at Den-
yer. col, he delivered public lecture
upon the subject OF our great victory over
Cervera-
His lecture was slanderous In high
degree He made statements charging va
rious officers-"Fighting Bob Evans
among them-with cowardice. Several
newspaper reporters were present, and
more or less extended accounts OF his
statement we're given in their papers. but
the Rev. Mr.. Mcintyre pronounced them
false.
The Navy Department Intercepted him
upon the subject, and he declared that he
had been misrepresented, but the depart
ment was not satisfied with his denial.
and a court-martial was ordered and is
now I'm progress.
The evidence taken upholds the news
paper reports In all essential particulars
On Monday Mr.. Mcintyre was himself
called TO the stand. and made the hui
initiating confession that he was irrespon-
sible for what he said on the occasion OF
his lecture. He told how. with whirling
BRAIN" he stood before the audience, then
OF his horror next morning when he read
the published reports OF what he had said.
II seems that the heat in the vessel
while in the tropics and off Santiago had
made him i'll. During the battle Of July
Sd, when the strain was over, he fell to
the deck, and had to be carried to his
quarters, where he was under the care Of
a physician until he left the vessel. He
was then sent to the naval hospital at
New York. There medical survey pro-
prostration. or as the physician private
~ stated, nervous bankruptcy" Under
these circumstances, upon his return
home, he unfortunately undertook to de-
liver the lecture, with the result stated.
Strong. healthy people, with nerves like
steel, will not be ready to believe Mr.. Nc
Intyre's statement They will rather in
cline TO the opinion that he was under
the influence of liquor, especially as he
admits having taken doses OF brandy and
quinine just before he started to the lec-
ture hall. But there are other persons
who can readily understand the chaplain's
true condition. Nervous prostration Is a
terrible affection. and, unhappily, 1t is not
uncommon in this country. Often 1t leads
to frightful depression of spirits; some
times il shows itself In mental exalta-
lion, followed by reaction in the opposite
direction In its worst form 1t leads to
ielirium. And that seems TO have been
Mr. McIntyre's condition when he deliv-
cred his lecture. The next morning he
had quoted down, and could not be made
to believe that he spoke the slanderous
words attributed to him.
Just there he had need of good, sens-
Die friends and counsellors. They ought
o have been candid with him, and they
might have convinced him that he had
not been incorrectly reported.
In hundreds Of cases where persons
lain that they have been incorrectly re-
ported the contrary is true. 1t often oc-
,urs that speakers use language and make
the effect of which they do
not realize until they are confronted with
newspaper reports on the subject. Then
hey are prone to deny what has been at
tributed to them, and often, too often,
hey are able TO have corrections made.
rhe reporters usually give them the bene-
ft Of any doubt upon the subject Mr..
Mcintyre started out TO treat the news
paper reports in his case in that way,
out he found the newspaper men In a
roof. Dozens of persons who heard the
ecture corroborated the published ac-
counts of what took place, and now Mr..
has removed whatever linger- |
ng doubts may have existed.
The facts, as established before the |
ully; at the same time they show that |
dr. Mcintyre spoke as If in delirium,
md cannot be held responsible for his |
ltterances.
AS we have said. we incline to the cpin-
on that Mr.. Mcintyre has given a true
ccount of his misfortune. and therefore
We think he ought to be leniently treated.
certain are we that. were he being tried
" jury composed OF men who have suf-
cred from nervous prostration, and who
now what horrors and phantasies come
n its train, he would find ready belief for
tatements that TO others would appear