The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-10
MACLAY AND HIS ADVISERS Let Them Be Brought Forward Int
 the Public Light.
Washington Post.

Washington Post.
 Through the medium of the Autumn Announcements of the Appleton Pub fishing Company of New York we acquire a great deal of interesting-we may say nexpected-information concerning La borer Edgar s. Maclay. the historian of place. it appears that Maclay Is an "A. M. '-name of college not mentioned-and in the second place we are assured that his work Is monumental" We are lett in doubt as to whether the Appletons re- alize the full significance of the spectacle they present-an "A. NJ" contentedly fill ing the place of a lighthouse employe for years at q salary of $520 per annum and the position of laborer in the Brooklyn navy yard al S50. But the country will realize it without much effort. so that doesn't really matter. The spectacle con- fronts us and we are offered an oppor- tunity to admire it..
 The resume of MT. Maclays literary achievements in general we pass over with respectful haste. Talent that can must be a poor tn indeed. Needless to say that Maclay's talent scars upon the barkers wing as high as any liver pill or patent churn and that in his case. as Paris underwear, the limit of beauty has been reached. What really counts with us Is the infamous third volume of Ma clay's masterpiece with reference to the
 
 poster says:
 "The third volume of this monumental history Is issued largely on official re- ports of the commanders, both Spanish and American participating in the war of 1898. and the proofsheets have been read by many experts. The author has re- peatedly expressed his desire for crti- cisms and well-founded corrections, and in his work"
 Yes: we have already heard that the proofsheets were read by many ex- perts." It is matter of common knowl- edge, in Tact, that Sampson read them and that he subsequently anCinted them with his enthusiastic approval. We are authorized, also. to assume that Admiral Crowninshield examined and applauded those proofsheets. for Maclay preluded his third volume with an apostrophe of special power and gratitude to that emi- nent. impartial and impeccable warrior He tells Us hOw CrOwnnShield inspired and sustained him and leaves us to con clude that without such loving aid he might never hav> been able to complete that wonderful third volume at all. So rluch. at least has heen impressed upon Us. To this extent. if no more. we rec OEnize the claims of Sampson and Crown inshield upon the reverence of those who stand for truth in history.
 Who are the critics and advisers through whose counsels the laborer-histo- rian has profited so vastly? We do not know and do not care to guess. Evident lv Maclay had no real conception of Schlev's wickedness at the outset Evi- dentlv he obtained his information from Crowninshield and those unnamed but most prolific, counselors the effect of whose activities lis shown in his work" Their identity should De disclosed. Jus tice and decency demand it. But We have no suggestions to offer to a court com posed of honest gentlemen who have the power, and no doubt have the inclination, to eXtort the facts As for Maclav him self, he is too poor a thing to occupy our thoughts; but the men who used him in his foul work of defamation are legti- mate objects of pursuit. and in our opin- ion. they are not so very far to seek.
 Let them be brought forward into the light. MaClay does not count at all.