The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-11-14
THE HERO OF SANTIAGO.
Thrilling Climax Of the SchIev
Inquiry
Eloquence Of Counsel Moved Court and
Spectators.

IU Uue Scniev inquiry came TINS after
noon, when Mr.. Rayner, chiefcouusel
for Admiral Schley, concluded bril-.
liant argument Of over three hours
with a peroration 80 eloquent and
impassioned that all within the
sound Of his voice were profoundly
touched.
This remarkable trial. he said,
sought to condemn the man who had
brought to a successful term ination
as great a naval triumph as was ever
won.
ut has taken three years to reveal
the truth. There is not a single word
that has fallen from the tongue OF a
single witness friend or foe, that cast
a shadow Of a reflection upon the
honored name Of the hero OF Santa
go. He has never claimed the glsry
Of that day. No word to this effect
has ever gone forth from him to the
American people. The valiant Cook,
the heroic Clarke, the lamented Philip
the intrepid and undaunted VAIN
wright, and all the other captains,
and every man at every gun and
every soul on board OF every ship
we're equal participants with Admiral
Schley in the honor wrought upon
that immortal day.
"We cannot strike down his figure.
There he stands upon the bridge Of
Of the Brooklyn, his ship almost
alone receiving the entire fire OF the
Spanish foe until the Oregon, as il
upon the wings Of lightning, speeds
into the thickness of this mortal car
mage. God bless the Oregon was
the cheer that rang from deck to
deck, and on they went, twin broth
ers in the chase, until the lee gun was
fred from the Cristobal Colon and
the despotic colors OF Spain were
swept from the face OF her ancientpo-
sessions.
"Well done, congratulate you on
the victory was the streaper that
bent from halyards nfthe Brooklyn
and from that day to this no man
has ever heard from Admiral Schley
the slightest whisper that he usurped
the glory Of that imperishable hour.
The thunders of the Brooklyn as she
trembled on the waves, have been
discordant notes to the ears of envi-
GUS foes, but they have pierced with
a ringing melody the ears, of his
countrymen and struck a responsive
chord at the fireside OF every. Ameri-
can home.
"And what is more than all which
has been revealed in this ease, as
matehless as is his courage and as
unsullied as is his honor, is his beau
tiful character and 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
his native heather and his eye was
on the peak OF Ben Lomond. His
country does not want to strike him
down nor cast blur on the pure
lesscutcheon OF his honored name.
| "For three long years he had suf-
lfered and now, thank God, the hour
Of vindication has come. With COM
lposure, with resignation, with su-
|preme and unfaltering fortitude, he
awaits the Judgment Of this illustriuos
tribunal, and when that deliverance
comes, he can, from the high and ex-
alted position which he occupies, look
down upon his traducers and malign-
ers and with exultant pride exclaim:
"'I care not for the venomous gos-
sip Of clubs and drawing rooms and
cliquss and cabals Of the poisoned
shafts Of envy and ofmalice. Iawait
under the guidance Of Divine Provi-
dence, the verdict Of posterity.''
Mr.. Rayner closed at $50 o'clock,
having spoken about three hours.
The large audience broke into ap-
plause and the members Of the court
a. we'll az others, congratulated him
upon hisspeech. Admiral 6chhy was
liMbly affected by the concluding ~
marks and nItending scenes.