The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-12

further than was necessary, for when
the weather cleared and the sea became
smooth he coaled. Then he returned
to his position off Santiago, discovered
the Cristobol Colon, CAV battle on July
3rd and struck down the Spanish fleet.
last ancient possession upon the face of
the American continent
MIR. RAYNER'S CLOSING.
Mr.. Rayner then closed as follows:
II have now briefly presented this
case as it appearS to me in its general
outline. Such a trial as this has never
to my knowledge taken place in the
history of the world. 1t seemed to my
mind hat this case had hardly open
ed with the testimony of Captain Hig-
ginson before it commenced to totter,
n from day to day its visionary
fabric dissolved from view. When Cap
tain Cook, their last witness, was put
upon the stand, the entire structure
collapsed and now when the witnesses
from our own ships and the gallant
captain and crew of the Oregon and
Admiral Schley ave narrated their I'M
vanished tale. the whole tenement,
with all it's compartments, from it's
foundation to it's turret, has disinte-
grated and lies here like a mass of
blackened ruins.
ut has taken three years to reveal
the truth. There is not a single wit
ness, friend or foe, that casts the shad-
ow of a reflection upon the honored
name of the hero of Santiago. He has
never claimed the glory of hat day.
No word to this effect has ever gone
forth from him to the American people.
The valiant Cook, the heroic Clark, the
lamented Philip, the intrepid and I'M
daunted Wainwright, n all the other
captains, and every man at every gun
inc every soul On board every ship are
equal participants with Admira Schley
in the honor wrought Upon that i'm
mortal day. We cannot strike down his
figure standing upon the bridge of the
Brooklyn. There he stands upon the
bridge of the Brooklyn, his ship almost
alone, receiving the entire fire of the
Spanish foe, when the Oregon, as if
upon the wings of lighting, sped into
the thickest of this mortal carnage
God bless the Oregon was the cheer
that rang from deck to deck. And on
they went. as twin brothers in the chase
until the lee gun was fired from the
: Cristobol Colon and the despotic colors
of Spain were swept from the face Of
her ancient possessions.
"'Well done. Congratulate you on the
victory vas the streamer that was
bent from the hallyard of the Brooklyn,
and from that day to this no man has
ever heard from Admiral Schley the
slightest whisper that he has usurped
the glory Of that imperishable hour.
THE thunders Of the Brooklyn as she
trembled on the waves have been dis
cordant music to the ears of envious
foes, but they have pierced with a ring
ing melody the ears Of his countrymen
and struck a responsive chord at the
! fireside of every American home. And
what is more than all which has been
revealed in this case, as matchless as is
his courage and as unsullied as is his
honor, is his beautiful character and
I the generous spirit that animates his
soul, and the forgiving heart that beats
within his BOSOM. Yes, We cannot
strike him down. Erect he stands as
the McGregor when his step was on his
native heather and his eye was on the
peak of Ben Lomond- His country does
not want to strike him down, nor cast
a blu upon the pure escutcheon of his
honored name.
For three long years ne has suf-
fered and now, thank God, the hour
Of his vindication has come. With
composure. with resignation, with SUI
preme and unfaltering fortitude, he
awaits the judgment OF III ilustrious
! tribunal. and when that deliverance
comes he car, from the high n ex-
allied position that he occupies, look
down upon his traducers and maligners
and with exultant pride exclaim: I