The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-11-01

So Says Lieut.. Hobson, Who Pro-
nounces Him the Colossal Figure of
the Spanish-American War-Prof.
Flowers Also Pays Tribute to the
| Distinguished Naval Commander.
Atlanta, Oct. 22.-During his pres
ent visit to his home in Alabama and
wherever he has appeared before the
public, Lieut.. r. P. Hobson has been
quoted as saying that Admiral Samp-
son is dying of broken heart, owing
to the Sampson-Schley controversy
which was the outcome of the naval
battle Of Santiago. He is quoted as
| follows:
when last Saturday, October 13,
| saw in the papers that Admiral
Sampson was i'll, took the next train
to Boston and spent Sunday with him.
His health is declining. His physi-
clans are baff1ed at his maladv. His
organs are right, but his health does
not improve.
"We touched on one or two sub
jects. For little while he could not
| speak. Soon he had to be carried to
his room and did not see him again
Mrs. Sampson told me that this great
man was brooding, was breaking his
heart, at the thought that his fellow
countrymen were so unkind.
81 said to Mrs. Sampson: When |
visit my Southland, if the opportun-
ity offers itself, wish to try to tell
them something Of this majestic char
| of hn "
Your Southland was quick and vigor-
Gus to resent what was thought to be
an attempt to take away the laurels
of one of its great men,
II came by Washington and saw
the Secretary of the Navy and the
President. 10 them also stated my
intention and they both gave their
consent, warning me, however, of
what | might expect
Mr.. Hobson, in his speech at pub
lie reception today, said Admiral
Sampson had not received simple JUS
tice at the hands of the American
people. He said: at has been
sought to place him in despicab ble
light by the world. To make him an
incompetent, narrow minded man and
| jealous of the fame of his contempo-
raries-particularly of one illustrious
naval chief AS his junior officer still
serving under him, | express the
deliberate opinion that Admiral
Sampson is the colossal figure of the
! Spanish-American war-the genius of
the naval victory of Santiago.
''He is unmatched today as the di
recting mind of war squadron on
the seas. l say this much for him,
because he is a silent man. In the
clamor of calumny and detraction, he
holds his peace, though his great
heart is rent with this unkind cut.
He suffers in silence"
Commenting on the above Prof. r.
l.. Flowers, of Trinity College, con-
tributes the following article to the
! Charlotte Observer:
The article in today's Observer, Civ
| ing an account of Lieutenant Rich
mond Pearson Hobson's speech in
which he detailed the sad condition of
Rear Admiral Sampson is peculiarly
sad one. The information that he is
dying of a broken heart because of
the abuse that has been heaped upon
him, and because of what he con-
siders the ingratitude of the Ameri-
can people is, pathetic. At first
thought, it appears that it is an ex-
| hibition of weakness for a strong man
to give up, whatever may be his
treatment, and yet it is human ma
ture The strongest and bravest men
have often died of broken hearts.
The writer of this article was
cadet at Annapolis while Rear Ad
miral Sampson was superintendent,
and Lieutenant Hobson was a cadet,
and knew both. 1t is characteristic
Of Hobson to sympathize so deeply
with his superior officer. l have not
seen Hobson since his daring deed
brought him fame and honor, but
when I knew him he came nearer
being my ideal of true, brave, Chris
| tian man than any other person [
have ever known. 1t is possible that
the attention he has received may
have changed him, but l am inclined
to believe that the accounts of many
of his apparently foolish acts have
been exaggerated, and that he has
been made to suffer on account of the
| jealousy of naval officers. He is
fine type of Southern manhood, hand
some in person, courteous and gentle
in his manners, and with one of the
brightest minds l have ever known.
The indignation and shame that he
feels on account of the treatment of
his superior officer is indicative OF his
character, always ready to stand by
the right and to condemn the wrong.
Rear Admiral Sampson is one of the
most interesting personalities in the
naval service. He is one of the most
quiet and unpretentious men have
ever seen, and yet he is recognized by
all naval people as probably the best
equipped officer in the service. He
has always been close student and
| is an authority in many branches OF
the naval service. The last time
the writer saw him was at Harvard
University, in 1899, when the degree
of L. D. was conferred on him. 1t
was at a time when abuse and ridi-
cule were being heaped on him.
Harvard honored herself by apprec-
| iating the deeds of a true man at
! time when others failed to give him
hi. dues. As he arose to receive his
degree at the hands of President Ell
liot he presented one of the most
striking appearances l have ever seen.
There was an expression of sadness on
his face which could not be hid even
at time like this. The ovation that
he received from the Harvard stu
dents and the visitors, the. beautiful
tribute from President Elliot were
worth life time of toll and struggle,
of injustice and disappointment.
Here at least was one place where
merit was recognized and apprecia,
ted. The impulsiye spirit of the