Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1901-11-07
COursed Down Admiral
Schley's Cheeks As Ray
ner Talked.
IMPRISONED ORATORl
Even the Court Is Moved Perceptlb-
Iy By the Counsefs Words, While
SehIey's Tears Flow.
Great Demonstration IF Approval as
the Admiral's Counsel Closes
His PeroratiOn.

WASHINGTON, Nov. THE climax of
the Schley court OF inquiry came yes
tsrday afternoon. when Mr. Rayner.
chief counsel for Admiral Schley, con
cluded a brilliant argument OF over
three hours with a peroration SO elo-
uuent and impassioned that all within
the sound OF his voice were profoundly
touched This remarkable trial, he
said, sought to condemn the man VINO
had brought 10 a successful termlna-
ton as great a naval triumph as was
ever won. In vivid colors he painted
the picture of the Brooklyn with Com
modore Schley on the bridge fighting
the entire Spanish feet until the ore
Ron appeared out of the smoke. The
thunders OF the Brooklra, music for
the ears of his countrymen, he said,
aroused Admiral Schlsys envious foes
He pictured the victorious sailor sui
fering as few have suffered. for three
long years. while the fires of persecu-
ton lsaped around him, and now
awaiting the hour of his vindication
in the verdict of the court
And when 1t comes" he concluded,
he can, from the high and exalted
position that he occupies, look down
upon his traducers and maligners and
with excellent pride exclaim: care
not for the venomous gossip of clubs,
drawingrooms and cliQues and the poi
soned shafts of envy and of malice.
/ await under the guidance OF Divine
Providence the verdict of posterity.'
a
finished with these words was thrill
ing The attendance had been large
all day. and at the morning session
a lady had tainted from excitement.
AS Mr. Rayner began his eulogy OF
Admiral Schley those in the audience.
many of whom were ladies, leaned
forward in their seats. The spell OF
his oratory was over them, and when
he described the admiraFs gallant
deeds and the long persecution to
which he had been subjected, many
of them wept. The members OF the
court displayed evidences OF emotion,
and Admiral Schley himself was plain
ly moved.
He sat leaning back, with his hands
behind his head. His chin twitched
and as his counsel said he could af-
ford to await the verdict OF posterity,
two big tears rolled down his cheeks.
He moved uneasily to conceal his
emotion. and under the pretense of
adjusting his glasses, brushed the
tears aside For full 80 seconds after
Mr. Rayner closed there was not
sound Then the tension broke in
loud burst of applause.
Admiral Dewey. after about half .
a minute. arose to remind the specta-
tors that such . demonstration was
out of place. A moment afterward
the court adjourned. the Judge advo-
cate pleading that he could not we'll
20 on today. Then another remarka-
BILE thing happened. AS soon as the
gayel fell the entire audience surged
forward to shake the hands of Ad
mirai Schley and Mr.. Rayner. But the
oncoming spectators fell back a mo-
ment as they saw Admiral Dewey and
his two associates move around the
table. as if by common impulse,
and congratulate Admiral Schley and
his counsel.
Even Captain Lemly. the judge ad-
vocate. came forward to join in the
congratulations. Then the public had
its inning and for Is minutes after
the court adjourned Admiral Schley
and Mr.. Rayner were kept busy shak-
ing hands Captain Lemly began the
closing argument this afternoon, as
the court cid not hold a session this
morning.