The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-05-31
ARTHUR ROPES. General Editor.
The Three Naval Heroes.

The Times of Philadelphia, appor-
tioning the naval honors in the war
with Spain, thus speaks the judgment
that is unquestionably approved by the
court of last resort in this country, the
American people,:
The three naval officers whose names will
20 into history as the most conspicuous in
the two great naval battles of the war, are
Admiral Dewey, Rear Admiral Schley and
CAPTAIN Clark. Admiral Dewey's honors
have been generously awarded; Rear Adj
miral Schley's honors have been meanly
disputed, and Captain Clark's honors have
been strangely overlooked Schley COM
manded the fleet in the action at Santiago,
and the man who most valiantly and effec-
lively aided him in the final triumph was
Captain Clark, who made the most marvel
Gus cruise in history to join the fleet, and
whose great battleship forged ahead of all
but the Brooklyn in the battle. That he is
not rear admiral today is reproach upon
the nation
Who, in the case of Captain Clark,
is responsible for what the Times justly
characterizes ga reproach upon the ma
tion?" Has the navy department its
favorites? And must officers of the
peerless record of Captain Clark for
services of the first magnitude, for
judgment true as the needle by which
the Oregon sailed, for courage no odds
or perils could daunt, for gallantry I'M
surpassed, for successful and brilliant
achievement throughout his profess
sional career,-and for humanity and
kindness of heart, for all the gentle,
modest, lovable and manly qualities
that endear man to men,-must an
officer of this imperial rank wait till
the favorites are served? A naval cap
tain from Massachusetts whose name
is linked with no distinguished service
to his country in peace or war, who
was of the blocBading feet at Santiago,
but who was forty miles from the scene
of action on July 3, brave, generous
and capable officer, like his comrades
Of the American navy, has recently
been advanced to the rank of rear adj
miral, and others have been so pro-
NOTED who would unquestionably have
acquitted themselves with distinguished
credit in any emergency that can con-
front naval commander, but to whom
the fortunes of war or the combina-
tions of its circumstances brought no
favoring opportunity. Why has the
officer on whom the navy department
loaded the sole and heavy RESPONSE
bility it imposed on Captain Clark of
the Oregon in the presence of perils
of the magnitude that were impending
when he was sailing up the South
American coast, who in succession
struck the Teresa, Oquendo and Viz
caya disabling blows and then struck
out for the fleeing Colon, got her range
and brought her colors down, why
has this officer been 30 strangely over
looked" in awarding the honors OF
war? That is question thousands of
people are asking every day, and it is
question that's got to be answered to
the satisfaction of this American
people. The only just and acceptable
reply will be the prompt advancement
of Captain Clark to the rank his SER
vices have earned, without considera-
ton of petty questions of seniority, or
any similar trifles that sometimes DOM
mate situations and do wrong or in.
justice.