The times., 1899-03-08
\ Last Word to Nr. Long.

Ihe world has not forgotten Sagasta' S
Minister of Marine, who transmitted tho
story OF Montojo's defeat at Manila Bay
into Spanish victory and solemnly an
nounced 10 the COrtes that the great event
had so affected him that il was with diff
iiculty he controlled his joyful emotions. -
This was nearly year ago but something
of the same species of hravado seems to
have broken out in our own Secretary of
the Navy. Mr.. Long is so worked upon by
the great triumph he engineered for Samp-
son in securing for him from the Senate
the official right to inspect The coat tails
of Admiral Schley in all naval professions
during the remainder OF his professional
career that he allows his emotions to puff
forth without let or hindrance. Schley is
just as bad now as he was OFF Santiago,
and Sampson is quite as much of hero
as Nontojo! The Secretary stands by his
guns.
Sir. Longs latest illumination in the
cause TO which he has given his soul and
pawned a considerable share of his reputa-
tion. though written on Thursday last. was
not given out by the Senate Committee on
Naval Affairs until Monday, and most
friends of the Massachusetts statesman will
agree with US that it should not have been
given out at all. 1t was all over; the
Senate had acted and its opinion of Mr..
Longs attempt TO fasten lasting stigma
on Admiral Schley in the interest OF Samp-
son had been formally expressed. schley.
the victim was acclaimed the victor and
Sampson and Long brothers in injustice
if not in law, were left to the contempla-
ton OF the results of the campaign of re-
yenge they entered upon Immediately after
Schley's destruction Of Cervera's feet In
this case the rest should have been silence
But not so. Secretary Long. though sixty
years Of age has yet TO learn. il seems. that
a gentleman does not demean himself by
apologizing for a wrong done and seeking
TO make reparation. He persists in his at
tempt to prove that Admiral Schley. in
presumaBie fear of the Spanish feet, was
anxious TO scuttle away from Santiago be-
fore Cervera could get at him. and he will
take no cognizance Of SIMPSONS plain or
der to his subordinate nor the letter of con-
graduation in which that tricky individual
vas simple enough to express his satisfac-
tion with SChley's work. II was intended
by Mr.. Long that the Spanish. squadron at
Santiago. when destroyed. should be de-
stroyed by Sampson. Providence and the
natural inability OF Sampson ordaining
otherwise and prescribing 10 Schley the
opportunity he was so quick to seize, moth
ing remained for it but that Schley should
be officially crucified. Hence Sampson's 5
conduct 10 Schley after his victory; hence
his misleading telegram and written re-
ports from Santiago; hence his complaints
of Schley to the Navy Department; hence
his suppression of his order of May 20. on
which the whole case turns. and hence the
! attack on AGmial Schley b. Secretary
Long in which he persisted TO the end un-
I til the Senate. in its last hours, with many
+ matters of the first importance pressing for
action. yet found time to express its 0pin-
I ion of the whole dirty business b. reversing
/ the recommendation of Sir. Long, ignoring
I the nominations Of the President. and
( awarding TO Admiral Schley the justice
/ and the position in the navy which were
/ his due
! There is food for reflection on the part OF
! President Mckinley in these now too no.
torious facts Whatever may be his per-
sonal regard for the Hon. John d. Long,
he cannot commend his course. 4 stream
| cannot rise higher than its source. and If
the officers of the American Navy are ex-
pected to be gentlemen always it is neces-
sary that the head of the navy should be a
gentleman also, ready TO right a wrong
] committed and 10 apologize for il.