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

OF the great Rear Admiral he spoke in
exalted strain of eulogy. He was
asked:
What impression did Admiral Schley
make upon those connected with him
in the case? was hen asked of Mr..
Rayner. He replied: He could make
but one impression. He is as brave and
fearless a man IS EVER braethed the
fire of battle. He is great in every
quality that constitutes greatness. In
this battle of words n thoughts he
stood as steadfast as he did in the bat
tie of deeds at Santiago. His presence,
his firm conviction that he had per-
formed his duty for his country and
his exultant spirit in every m Of
this trial became an inspiration to us.
Schley is not only a great naval hero.
but he is a scholar and a man of the
most brilliant accomplishments. His
journey TO and from the courthouse was
an ovation and a triumphaI procession
from the commencement Of the trial to
its close"
Thus closes the most famous, the most
malignant, the most infamous persecu-
ton of naval record and modern times.
No other great victor in a great battle
was ever put on trial to prove his own
fair name and to rebut the assaults
and calumnies of a most vile c~onspira-
cy. We make another-extract from his
reported conversation:
The other side had all the resources
OF the government Of the United States
to draw % at a moments notice, and
upon call everything vas at their bid
ding. from every officer and subordi-
nate employe of the navy department.
Mr.. Hanna, the solicitor in the Judge
afUnnaf Tan0v &c Office rria1 tho 1o-1
admirably"
The great speech Of the great lawyer
is to be published not long hence. 1t
will ppear in a pamphlet of $50 pages.
1t is a review of every episode from the
time Admiral Schley left Key West I'M
til the destruction of the Spanish fleet
off Santiago.
OF this truly magnificent effort the
Sun says editorially that it twas a
master piece of %eloquence, of logic and
if analysis" We may add that it con-
tains some of the keenest thrusts, the
most whitening sarcasm and ridicule
and some high and very impressive
~eloquence, highly finished, somewhat
classical, and admirably sustained.
1t made a very great impression on the
auditors. The Sun says:
"Mr. Rayner has displayed something
more than eloquence and wit. in his
presentation of the defense of dmir
Schley, as fine as his ~eloquence was and
as cutting as his satire proved to be,
He has not relied upon sentiment or
ridicule to obtain a ~yindication for his
client, but has established his case by
clear and relentless logic, and by reas-
on1ng of the most convincing charac-
ter"
n country should not lose sight of
the malignity and the calumny at
tempted. 1t was a devlish attempt to
despoil and ruin a brave, meritorious.
innocent man. Says the Sun:
1.-The enemies of Admiral Schley were
They intended to strike
MIN down., to humiliate him, to ruin
MIN II they could. This persecution
continued for three years, and then Ad- |
miral Schley challenged his traducers |
TO prove their charges in a u of in
qulry, where not only his brother Off
GERS, but the people of the United States
could decide between him and those who
maligned him. 1t was at this |
stage that Mr.. Rayner entered into the
case. and he has conducted it with an
ability and thoroughness which leave
nsthing to be desired" |