The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-17

charge of her First Lieutenant, Yarnell. Perry, in rowboat manned by four
 men, set out for the Niagara, then about
 half a mile distant. Although he had tc
 he accomplished his perilous journey without accident.
 Perry at once dispatched Elliot in a
 boat to take charge of the smaller yes @ sels, which were lagsing somewhat De hind, at the rear of the American line,
 with instructions to close up. He himself took command of the Niagara, headed her for the British line, and found no difficult ty in closing at once. The Lawrence had in the meanwhile struck her colors
 but the British were unable to take pos
 The British vessels had suffered se- verely in their contest with the Law renee, and when the Niagara, practically unnarmed, engaged them at close quar- fers the issue was soon decided. In a quarter of an hour all the vessels of the British fleet had struck.
 In his official report of the action Per. ry, naturally elated by his victory. and Tn spirit of generosity, commended FL liot's conduct during the engagement. but subsequently,, upon reconsideration, made very unnattering comments upon the be- havior of his second in command. Elliot resented these reflections, his friends took up the quarrel, and large portion of the navy ranged itself under the banner of one or the other contestant; |.
 The partisans of Perry charged that 1t was craven fear of danger that kept
 Elliot tagging in the rear, while his com mander was fighting for his life, sur Elliot's friends retorted that this charge was made to cloak the reckless impetu- osity of leader who. regardless of the position of the vessels in his line Of bat tle, rashly ventured to precipitate an at- tack hoping thereby to secure the lion s share of glory for himself, when, by the exercise of a little self-restraint, he might nave obtained the cooperation of his neutenantE. To the hero of the cutting-out expedition of cowardice was an act so unreasonable that 1t called for no refutation.
 Another serious accusation mad, against Elliot was that he purposely he'd
 back, intending to close up when thu Lawrence should have struck and her The command of the fleet then devolv- ing upon Elliot, he could have rallied the American vessels, which, with the ex- ception of the lawrence. had suffered have crushed the British fleet. weakened as 1t was by its conflict with the Law renee. The nation would then have ac- capacity of his leader by the display of that resource and ability the exercise of which the arbiti ary rules of seniority and rank had hitherto prevented
 Critics of more moderate type, while fort caring to accuse Elliot of cowardice or of the intention to withhold neaGed assistance from his commander, blamed TlIn SeNefeIy TOT the lneulclent manner in which he had handled his ship. Elliot finally reached the conclusion that his position would be intolerabe unless his character were cleared by a court of in- su,ainoned in 1siS. While the court ex. ontrt ted Elliot from ccwardice 1t con- demEed his course during the action. However. the matter had been settled, after fashion, and the memories of the quarrel gradually faded away.
 That good relations should exist be- tweer commanding officer and his su- bordinates is the tritest of platitudes, but cnfurtuno tely there are times when the most elementary principles by which suc- cess can be won are isrcgarded. That a friendship should exist between commander and his lientenants Is often out of the question. but the subordinate can at least render loyal support and in- telligent obedience. In these respects FL Hot was certainly found wanting at the battle of Lake Erie.
 Perry has heen placed in the pantheon of our naval heroes, and 1t would be a rash hand which would venture to dis turb that stately figure. on its pedestal. But Perry's subsequent career demon- strated that he was a man of imperious disposition with whom 1t was no easy matter to work in harmony, and on one occe sion hs was challenged to duel by one of his officers. on whom he had in. ficted a slight. Mems motives are of course difficult to gauge, but 1t seems not unlikely that Perry regarded the en- counter with the Brltish neet as chance of demonstrating his own intrcpidity and dash-which no one had ever doubted rather than an opportunity of achieving success, outwardly perhaps less bril- liant, but won by adhering to the sound principles wrich govern naval warfare. and won at comparatively small loss to his own side. It Is easy to point out the advantages of a capacity for self-efface- ment; to be endowed with capacity Is an other matter, but in so far as a naval officer recognizes the fact that 1t is the navy and not his personal feelings which he should consider first in so far will the renown of our navy and of its officers