The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1901-08-01

NJ m imme0se and indispufabIel
bet.
THE vISDICArION or sCHLEY.
The Sampson schley controversy
which he's been raging with 80 much
bitterness since the close Of the war
with Spain, has 1t last been brought
10 . bead. E. 8. Maclay, holding
IN obscure position In the Nsvy
yard 1t New York. and the author
Of > naval history OF the United
States, In use ut the Naval Academy
has published . volume bringing his
naval history down to include the
period Of the late war. This hook
teens with abuse Of Admiral Schley,
calls him by such opprobrious epith-
ets q .scatifY," coward" and ''liar,"
and charges him with having de-
libentely "turned tail In the face of
the enemy" The only approach to
the intOlerable maliciousness and
abuse found In this so-called history
IL an article written by q man who
commanded battle-ship At Santiago
and who Is now q rear Admiral.
This partisan chronicler of history,
In an article describing the battle of
Santiago, neglected even to mention
the fact that there was . man named
|Schley with the feet or that such
vessel q the Brooklyn took part in
that battle, when 1t is remember
ed that the Brooklyn received more
damage than all the other vessels Of
the American feet put together, it
must be admitted that she took some
small part in the engagement. 1t
appears that Admiral Sampson re-
vised the proofs Of this book of
Maclay's and that other naval officers
Of high rank also lent their approval
to the vile defamation of Admiral
Schley. Indeed, through the whole
course of this miserable affair it has
been apparent that conspiracy has
existed on the part of officers high
in authority In the American Navy
to ruin the honor and manhood of
the man who was really In command
Of the American feet at the battle
Of Santiago, and who would have
been held accountable if that feet
had been destroyed. The conspira-
tors, however, In the production of
Maclay's book have over-reached
themselves. Unwilling to remain
longer under the vile accusations
and reeking falsehOods Of his detrac
tors, Admiral schley has requested
the Secretary Of the Navy to ap.
point court Of inquiry to investi.
gate the charges brought against
him. This court has been appointed
and consists of Admiral Dewey and
Rear AdmiFals Benham and Kim.
berly as members, and Capt. temly
as judge advocate. The splendid
records and unimpeachable reputa.
tons Of the officers named would
fseem to insure an absolutely fair and
unbiased decision.
| We rejoice that the end of this
Sabominsble business is in sight. II
has not done credit to any one con
nected with 1t, and it has seriously
injured the good name of the Ameri
can Navy. Perhaps the old time
naval officer, given to action rather
than words and too gentle and tot
brave to defame . brother officer
has passed away with the tall wood
en- spars and clouds of canvas which
grsced the wooden ships; and in hi
place new race Of men may tread
the quarter decks Of the great levio
thans which now bid defiance to thu
waves. That new race may not b,
made up altogether Of snobs, bu
1t seems that few such frequently
come to the surface. Admira
Schley impresses Us as belonging t.
the old order, the order that mad,
the American Navy famous, ant
we look for his complete vindica
ton.