The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-03-01
Schley's vindicatiOn.

A remarkable change in sentiment,
it is reported from Washington, has
occurred in senatorial and naval cir
Giles since the publication of Admiral
Schley's defense. Eyes have been open
ed by his explanations and public opin-
ion is much more favorable to him
than at any time since this unfortunate
controversy began.
The important despatch Of Admiral
Sampson to Schley, May 20, explaining
his plan for handling the Spanish feet,
and directing Schley to maintain his
position at Cienfuegoes, it is said, had
been suppressed. 1t is not found at
the navy department, it is reported,
and the belief is that Sampson did not
forward it to Secretary Long. 1t has
the appearance that the Secretary has
been put in false position with ref
erence TO Schley by the neglect of
Sampson, Willingly or unwittingy, to
send to The department all the orders
he had issued to Schley. The latter,
it appears, has been bearing patiently
a load of reproach that few men would
have quietly laid down under, even
unit! the time should be ripe for his
vindication.
There is certainly very striking diff
ference in the bearing of the two COM
manders in this controversy. Schley's
quick, hearty, wholesouled congratula-
tions to Sampson at the end of the fight
of Jnly 3, expressing exuoersntly but
modestly his gladness that he chad an
opportunity to contribute in the least
to victory that seems big enough for
all of U.S." is certainly in very manly
contrast with Simpsons assumption of
the glory and honor of the victory in
his despatch to the government, his ig-
noring of Schley in his report on the
battle, and the structures he began to
pour into the department upon the
course of the commander of the Flying
Squadron prior to May 80.
There is in Schley's position in this
matter likeness to that of Gen. Grant,
under Halleck's chief command, at the
time of the victory at Fort Donelsou,
and for some months afterward, IN the
campaign and battles that ensued. Had
Grant been man less patient, self
sacrificing and patriotic Halleck's treat
ment of himwould have lost to the Union
army and the country the services of
him who became the supreme COM
mander of the one and the military
savior of the other.
Halleck was Grants superior officer,
and was in chief command in the West,
as Sampson was Schley's superior Off
cer-by the grace of the powers at
Washington-and in chief command at
Santiago. Halleck was about as near
to the army and the actual fighting
when the inspiring victory at Donelson
was achieved, and as much entitled to
its honors, as was Sampson at Santiago.
But the people ascribed the victory and
the glory to Grant, and he became the
incarnation of the spirit of the war for
the Union. The man that is in the
fight, leading and commanding, is en-
titled to the honors of victory and prop.
erly wins the popular plaudit. 50 to
the people Schley, Immediately in COM
mand, in the midst of the smokel of
battle and it's storm of flying projec-
tiles, is the most conspicuous repre-
sentative of the splendid valor, spirit
and naval skill that won the fight at
Santiago. Sampson seems to bear
about the same relation to that combat
that Halleck bore to Doneson. The
attempt to rob Schley of honors faith
fully and gallantly won, to degrade him
from his honest rank and deny or
cheaper the value and quality of his SER
vices ought to succeed no better in his
case than did similar ignoble enter
prises set on foot against the good fame
of Grant.