Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-09-27
The importance Of Calm. .

The importance oi Calm. .
There have been as yet few sensa-
tional features in connection with the
proceedings before the Schley court of
inquiry. The general public. however.
cannot fail to have been impressed
with the ovcrwccning self-importance
Of many of the witnesses. 1t is diff
cult. indeed. for 4 self-cultiVated
snobbery to adjust itself gracefully to
the hard and fast facts of life. Con-
ditions are no rcspectors Of persons
especially when they are not in them
selves specially entitled to it. There
are many strong. able officers in our
navy-men of good horse sense. and
practical every day efficiency. There
is also a growing suspicion in the pub
lie mind that there are others. 1t is
evident that the schools of Neptune
ard Mars. do not always cultivate
that spirit Of graciousncss that enables
men to adjust thcmsylve readily i
the wear and tear Of new conditions.
There he's been an Enthusiastically large
amount Of irritability on the part %
some of the presumably distinguished
officers who have thus far testified be-
fore the court Of inquiry. SOM have
even appeared TO think it necessary T.
vindicate their regulations as fighting
men by carrying chips upon Their
shoulders. captain Giles T.. IIarb +
worked himself into 4 passion the
other day because the examining Coun-
sci included him, in all his majesty.
within the comprehensive sweep Of his
index finger. The captain should have
been calm. The wild thirst for gore
that would, a short time since. have
coast was strangely out of place, and
in shocking bad taste when exhibited
in a court of inquiry. Indeed this as
founding ebultion has led TIE public
to question whether the service might
not be improved by adding 4 depart
ment Of calm to the curriculum Of the
United States Naval Academy at
Annapolis Captain Harber's break was
not only ill-advised but it savored
of lamenta BILE lack of worldly wisdom.
Too much of the historical research of
his student days must have been de-
fa6 IN
studies taken a wider scope, he would
certainly have discovered that, from
the days of Solon and Lycurgus, the
right to employ the index finger, for
purposes of location and emphasis
has been an unquestionned prerogative
of the legal profession. What would
Captain Harber think if he were or
dered forth to battle without his
epaulets and sword? Why then should
he seek to deprive counsel in the storm
and stress of a great legal contest of
the weapon conceded to him by gen
erations of unquestioned usage? 1t
was unfair and unreasonable. The
power of habit plays an important
part in human affairs. 1t is not
easily overcome. There are many en-
inent attorneys who have become so
accustomed to thinking in harmony
with n vibrating forefnger, that to
rudely deprive them Of this privilege
would be equivalent to putting them
hors de combat. We doubt if Captain
Harber has ever given this matter
serious thought. We believe that he
desires to fight fairly. and that he
would not. knowingly. be guilty Of
hitting any man below the belt.
We trust that as the tension of the
trial becomes somewhat relaxed a
greater atmosphere of serenity will
pervade the court room. and tn,
officials who come and go there may
ne gradually impressed with the fact
that these. indeed. be days Of peace.
->-~S<