New-York tribune., 1901-02-05
AAIAL REWARDN.

Nothing is 70 he gained at this time by at
tempts 10 fix responsibility for the failure of our
Government 10 reward the officers who contrib
uted 10 the destruction of the Spanish feet al
Santiago Such a controversy would only post
pone still further the doing Of justice. The
men who won the victory al Manila have been
recognized as well as our bad system, which
makes tile advancement Of one man degrade
zion Of other men, permits, Their leader has
been raisel "a the highest rank. and holds IN
Office created especially for him
The victory at Santiago is not less worthy Of
grateful remembrance. II does not appeal to
imagination as does the fight AT Manila. and
we do not believe any man who served in tie
Cuban feet is Jealous Of the precedence given
to Admiral Dewey and his officers for their
achievement was the first OF the war. and it
was tremendous in its consequences But
equally worthy were they who performed the
less spectacular task Of organizing the long
blockade and watching with nerves on strain
10 he ready on the instant for the rush Of Ad-
miral Cervera's fleet, and who finally chased il
To utter destruction. Yet they have had moth
ing. one Of them Is relatively worse off than
he was before he made that wonderful trip
around Cape Horn which excited universal ad-
mirarion as a feat Of seamanshIp. Some ~
them will soon be retiring, and II Is time that
all Of them had their due reward, that future
naval men may know the American people
are not ungrateful and will not fail from care
lessness or caprice 10 confer honors on faith
full servants.
We know that Admiral Sampson and those
who commanded under him gave their hest 10
their country. not for prizes. not for promo
tions. but for pure love, and know they
have found more satisfaction in their service
than they can ind in any gift Of Congress Yet
II is not fitting thar this Nation should thus
lei virtue be Its own reward. Honors should
crown great patriotic achievement unflllugly,
and II would he matter of lasting reproach 10
our Government and people il they shoull show
themselves unsteady Of Judgment. so short
Of memory, so much the prey 10 sudden bur
ephemeral enthusiasm, after applauding all
their heroes and rewardng a first handful Of
them 10 neglect utterly all the others
II Is time for Congress 10 take up seriously
the question Of Santiago rewards with all per-
Sonal rivalries put aside. Some plan ought 70
he devised for advancing officers for distin-
Suished service without prejudice 10 others
'qually faithful who were kept AT different SER
vice. \ system of comforting distinction by
higher rank and pay through the creation Of
additional numbers in the grades advanced 10.
so that normal promotion of others may not
be retarded. would solve the problem. The
country and not an officers comrades should
pay for his honOrs. Under the present law adj
vancing man for merit simply deprives other
men of rank and pay 10 which their ordinary
service entities them. II is about as mean
system OF pretended national generosity. at no
cost 10 the nation taking credit for reward
ing its heroes. as could we'll be devised. But,
bad as il is II is better than utter neglect, and
the officers who would suffer by advancement
of the Santiago victors in accordance with it
would doubtless he glad 10 make the sacrifice. if
II is the only way to secure their comrades
Just rewards. Let something he done.