Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-04
TWELVE PAGES
THURSDAY. MAY 4. 1893.
A CABAL OF FAVORITES.

The VIRGlNlAN-P PILOT mas al
ready treated the Coghlan incident as a
very humorous. but trivial affair. as 1t
Ia in itself: but n more serious and i'm
portant aspect has been forced upon 1t
by the pompous pub-funcs of imperial
punotilio who sit in perpetual session
as the masters of the morals and man
ners of men, especially common men,
en their due humility OF speech and de-
meanor townrd their august rulers (O
in this and other countries. The German
emperor and his nunkeys. always on
the lookout for mocks, Sights and other
disrespect toward the preposterous
imperial majesty affected by the Crazy
Kaiser, at once took 1t IN high dudgeon
that a mere American citizen, and n
Captain in the navy at that. should
dare to speak of his Prussian super-eX-
altedness other than in "a bondsman's
key. with whispering humbleness." and
complained at onco that Captain Cogh-
Ian had committed "LESE MAJESTY"
against silly Billy, who supposes that
he has personal jurisdiction. not only
of oil this world. but OF the universe.
Mr.. Hay. the chief clerk of the Presl-
dent in the State department.. when mp
pronched on the subject. at once pooh
poohed the matter as a bit OF private
social conduct and levity. which might
be IN very bad taste. but which could
not, In this country. rise to an affair of
state. and which in no case did he have
anything to do with; though it might
be a matter calling for discipline by
the Navy department.
To make the story short, the matter
WAS referred to ono Long. chief clerk OF
the President in tho Navy department,
md his temporary appointee. and this
clerk took upon himself 10 bring Cap
tain Coghlan into inquisition about
matters which our laws fail utterly to
provide for. as being beneath its notice;
and this navy clerk, Long. assuming
absolute and arbitrary jurisdiction
where he had none at all. actually
tried. convicted, sentenced and repri-
manded the gallant commander OF the
? Raleigh. and will relieve one of the he
roes OF Manila OF his command. And
for what? We dare Mr.. Long to give 1t
a name, or find any authority for his
insolent interference with the private
conduct of an American citizen (none
the less a citizen because an heroic Off
cer). and who was no more responsible
to the German Kaiser. or Mr.. Hohen-
zollern, than to any other German or
foreign citizen for what lie may have
said.
Arc we to allow any foreign poten-
hate to extend his despotism OF lese
majesty TO this country? Or Is the will
OF such potentate. rather than ours, to
be recognized by our civil servants, and
obsequiously enforced by them upon
any portion OF our citizens, and espe-
cially upon the officers of our gallant
Navy and Army? We protest in the
name Of liberty and the American peo-
pie; and we say that II any OF us. in or
out of office. please TO say, Damn tho
Kaiser!" or even cry Damn the Pres
fdent and his clerk Long," nobody le-
gally, from tho President down has
anything to do with st: and IL any of
our servants. In either case. presume
to rebuke or punish anyone because
thereof, he abuses and misuses his little
brief authority in gross violation of
personal right and liberty that should
) be promptly punished to the extent OF
our penalties for high treason.
The course OF Long toward Captain
Eoghlan marks a distinct and very
alarming stage OF tho development OF
imperialism at Washington. Free
speech Is to be interdlcted and punish
ed At tho will Of an usurping depart
ment clerki European Imperialism is
{extended over US and enforced under
che plea OF international courtesy and
khs Laws OF diplomacy. The little Mack
EahtAat a& FxtspSFslbls nlerks which