The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-20
Wesseugrr.
at the Po~stoffice at Whining
ton, N. c., as SeCond-Class
Matter April 13. 1879.
THE NAVAL DISGRACE.

wrong perpetrated under the form OF
judicial inquiry 1t is that OF the naval
officers who perpetrated the crime
against Rear Admiral Schley. We
would be surprised to lind n dissent
ing opinion in all the southland among
respectable as to the most
foul injustice done the hero of Santiago
II is useless to revive what the implac-
able admirals find adverse to Schley.
No doubt they were partisans at heart
of the fellow Sampson from the start.
They have not been governed by facts
r. occurrences or by results in their
verdict. Admiral Dewey. inComparably
better qualified than they are for 8
proper finding because Of his ability.
training and success as a fighter, is
with Admiral Schley and approves o.
his acts and conduct generally. Dewey
wor the brilliant victory at Manila thai
81 aroused the American people to {
most unwonted enthusiasm. It is not
so great an achievement as Schley's|
NJ gniieent battle at Santiago. but in
Dewey there is not a speck of jealousy
nut true and cordial admiration.
L ct it be remembered first, that the
two hostile members of the court
known as Admirals Ramsay and Ben
ham have had no experience in fighting
modern warships.
Second. that Admiral Dewey is In
every way up-to-date as a fighter and
naval commander.
Third. that the two officers who were
next to Schley were in the very thick
est of the fray, Captains Clarke and
Cook, gave the most substantial and
favorable report possible in favor of
the most meritorious and gallant Schley.
They were in the great fight and did
splendid work IN helping to secure the
grand victory. The condemning officers
friends of Sampson ard allies of the
father of the %iniquity, never fired al
sun n more than Sampson did, and
probably knew less OF modern naval
warfare than that failure and pretended
does but who is a splendid success in
getti.g the giants share of prize money!
Fourth, there was just one great, i'm
portant thing to be done and but one.
and that was to fight the Spaniards, to-
win a victory over them, and destroy
their ships if it were possible. That was
the work in hand. 1t was lone, and
NJ effectually. The battle was fought
ar won with great dash and vigor. It
wa5 complete in every way. For gain
ing that victory, for surprising Samp-
son and his gang of toadies Schley is
ypersecuted, bounded, damned and de-
tested. And the two insignificant Great
ures on the court lend themselves to
the ~disgraceful. dete3table, damnine
work.
The American people will lake good
care Of Schley's character. They will
uespise the two ingrates that wreake6
their hatred upon a noble sea captain in
whose presence they would not willing
-ly stand. It is doubtful if the congress
will dc anything. Possibly it would be
g failure to make a contest with such
republicans who are now in the con.
gress to " to pounce upon a reso-
hutton ordering a court of inquiry or
farther investigation by a COMPRESSION.
al committee. The opinion seems to
prevail that no action will be taken. I'M
aess a resolution Of endorsement Of
Schley should be introduced. The whole
court business is contemplate, a burles-
que. q fraud and only saved from in
.ramv by the brave, frank. honorable
<ourse of Admiral Dewey.
We give a sample or two Of opinions
clipped from Virginian editorials. The
Richmond Dispatch says:
The majority verdict in the Schley
case IS disgraceful. 1t is disgraceful to
the navy and to those who rendered it.
The minority verdiCt-the finding of
dmiral Dewey-mitigates in a measure
the disgrace his associates put upon the
service, and adds another to the honorsI
that cluster around the name Of the
nero of Manila. Two subordinateS on
the court made applicable to the navy
the biting affirmation
Among the sons OF men how few are
known
Who dare be lust to merit not their
own"
In all the circumstances Admiral
Dewey's repost is a sweeping indict-I
Tnent Of the prosecutors of Schley, and
AL who in any way connlved w1tnI
them. He broadens the issue. and noth-t
ing short OF a trial of all whom he I'M
diets should satisfy the country
The Norfolk Landmark
cit need hardly be said thai the fall
Il VI Tx Soo1 ~ ~
verdict in favor of the prosecuted vic-I
tor of Santiago is a grievous disap-l
pointment to the natlon....The vast
majority Of the people did then and dol
still hold the opinion that Schley is theI
hero of the battle and that he has beenl
treated like a dog. The result or
SIMPSONS failure to exhibit ordinary
human generosity has been more cal
taTnitous h to Schley.'
The Richmond CVa.) Times remarks:I
I'm reading the findings of Admirals|
3enham and Ramsay, Of the Schleyl
court of INQUIRY, and the findings of
Admiral Dewey we arc impressed with
this marked difference: h former
undertook to say what mir Sehiey|
should nave done in the OF the
campaign, while Admiral Dewey at
taches more importance to the result
Schlev's one aim seems to have been
TO keep himself in position for the Rrea
trial. When the trial came he was IN
~