Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-29
TWELVE PAGES
THURSDAY. JUNE %. 1890.
4TH. OF JULY AND ADMIRAL
SCHLEY.

The wonderful destruction of Cerve-
ra's Spanish fleet off Santiago occurred
on the Sd OF July. 1898, to the greater
glory OF the American Navy and the
Immortality of Admiral Schey. The
only parallel to 1t was the similar ex-
plot by Admiral Dewey in Manila Bay.
last year. where he destroyed in an
equally wonderful manner another
Spanish fleet. There is no need to re-
peat either story here. as both are
fresh in patriotic memory. where they
Will remain vivid so long as Americans
have country and a flag.
The browning grace Of this victory off
Santiago is the character of its hero
the bravest, the most modest, the kind
est, most magnaminous and ablest of
men, and who will so live forever on
the tongues and in the hearts OF his
ndmiring and loving countrymen. None
but coward can even dream of as
persing his valor: his modesty abashcs
shame; his gentle kindness extends
amnesty even to the INSCRIPTIONS mall
Ice of maiignity that becomes rabid
In Its presence from sheer incompatible
ity; his magninimity is grand, as at
tested in the great day of victory, when
he proclaimed his content to share in a
glory enough for all," and whose
honor was due. as he agreed, Ito the
men at the guns" and his ability.
Shown in his achievements, surpasses
all demands ever made upon it and all
opportunities ever offered It, The quiet.
unpretentious and unassun4if4e gentle
man unconsciously exalts himself and
magnihes his merits by his deprecatory
tone and self-abnegating attitude in re-
porting to official superiors that lie had
"obeycd orders"
The acclaim from the American peo-
pie that greeted Schley and his grand
triumph over our foes was worthy of
the occasion. and the popular esteem
and gratitude have never wavcred in
their recognition of the right man to
whom honor is due; and yet the very
government whose laches and incaDa-
city would have involved it and the
country In inextricable disaster and hui
initiation but for the brilliant services
OF Schley, has not only permitted him
to be pursued and prosecuted by the
lies and abuse OF a vile cabal but has
actually become an active party against
him, and made the Navy Department
the shameful organizer and promoter of
the Infamous conspiracy OF detraction
Sampson. returning from a foraging
expedition for prize-money, to be got
by The seizure. or capture, of Spanish
merchant marine and other unwarlike
craft, greedily grasped the Santiago
victory from the hands of Schley, and
desecrated the 4th OF July by presenting
the grand achievement in its name rs
his contribution to the nations fame
and felicity. without a hint that Schley
had had any hand In the crushing an
Inhalation of the enemy! Thus Samp-
son disclosed the original design to
ignore Schley and award all the honor
and glory to himself and others, and in
this the President and administration
conceded, Secretary Long and the NAVY
Department diligently and eagerly
lending all their energies to the dirty
plot. But the people and the press were
not to be hoodwinked and deluded. and
they refused to allow Schley 10 he
robbed OF his laurels quietly by lot Of
official sneak-thieves who proposed to
parade before the world in stolen colors.
Schley's glory has grown before the
world since official baseness has sough t
to ruin and defame him, as It found
that 80 meritorious q hero could not be
ignored. But the people unanimously