The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-15
he DEFENDED HOBSON
CAPT. MILLER OF THE MERRIMAO
GETS HOPPING MAD
Advises Critic Of the Brave Omcer to
Go and Drown Himself
Quick

KEY WEST, Fla, June 9.-One of Lieut..
Hobson's greatest admirers and staunchest
friends in the navy is Captain Miller, late
Commander of the Merrimac. An incideH1
which brought to light Miller's devotioo
and 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 Merrimac.
There was not a single naval officer In the
group. although quite number were on
the veranda.
The conversation turned after a while
into more analytic channel, one Of
the speakers remarking that, in his opinion,
all heroism was tinged with selfishness, and
that all deeds Of bravery were prompted by
egoism and the morbid craving of MOTOR
iety, fame of self-glorification.
Captain Miller, who had hitherto been
listening unnoticed to the conversation,
hearing the different garbled reports Of an
action, the details of which he knew 80
WE'LL sprang to his feet and addressed him
self to the truthful cynic who had UNDER
taken to discuss the ethical side of Hob
sons heroism.
May ask you who you are, sir?" asked
Captain Miller, in a courteous and dignified
d
suppressed anger and emotion. He waited
for the answer and then replied:
II am Captain Miller, Commander Of the
Merrimac I overheard your remark and
wish to tell you that / have known Lieut.,
Hobson for years. I was his professor at
the Naval Academy and have ever since
known him. Eager and anxious as was
to be allowed the privilege of taking tho
Marr tpfo ftoc nh Rnt
certain pride in Admiral SIMPSONS selec-
ton of Mr.. Hobson. KNEW him to be a man
fearless and brave devoted to his duty ard
his country. There is not one particle Of
selfishness in Mr.. Hobson's make up, I
assure you, and on the night he sank the
Merrimac he went forth to meet certain
death without one thought Of self. Sir,
beg you to contradict the statement you
just made. Won't you please retract it?'
Captain Millers words were listened to IN
silence and grateful reparation was ex-
pected for the thought1ess and hasty ex-
preston that had called forth this Just, but
polite rebuke.
Far from It, however, the iconoclastic and
argumentative young man stood his ground
and refused to allow Captain Miller's opi7.
ion to overrule his own right to free thought
and its expression.
For fully fifteen minutes Captain Miller
condescended to argue with his opponent,
and repeatedly invited him to take a correct
and lofty view of heroism, but to no avail.
The evidence on both sides was in and
the young man proceeded to the summing
up of his case with what he regarded tell
ing and crushing blow.
'You don't mean to tell me, Captain he
said, "that when man with home ties or en-
gagged affections is ordered to carry out a
desperate plan In which sure death Is his
only material reward and that man does not
finch, but obeys his orders, that his real
motive in so doing and the only voice that
prompts him to do what you call his duty.
is not the voice Of selfishness, the ambition
and vain glory Of having his name go down
to history as hero, and a martyr, do your
"Sir," answered Captain Miller, bowling,
II have no desire to waste my time
answering questions made by a man of
your convictions. I beg these gentlemen's
pardon for having intruded, but as a rep
resentative Of the United States navy and
a friend of Mr.. Hobson, would advise you
to walk down to the dock and drown your
self. I can now realize why you don't UNDER
stand what heroism means. Good night"
Captain Miller walked away and called for
the key to his room. wondering II the young
man would have the heroism to carry out
the watery plan Of self-destruction he had
described, but 1t is safe to say that his
courage failed him. as he has been seen
alive and dry since daybreak.