The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-01
MODEST MERIT.

II ever a patriot. a hero, and a man
Of modesty and most engaging manners
and kindness was ever slandered and
prosecuted it is Rear Admiral Schley.
The investigation of his conduct is near
the end, with every promise OF victory
and complete ~vindication. The chief
naval culprit, Sampson, is sheltered by
a failure to arraign him too for ex-
haustive, fair and determined scrutiny.
Next to Schley, the rue hero of San
tiago is Captain Clark of the Oregon,
who is rightly pronounced by a south
ern newspaper to be brave, loyal and
modest" These descriptive words ap-
plies with singular appropriateness to
the two chief heroes. Commodore
Schley Immediately after the battle in
his first dispatch gave to all of the
real participants in the most splendid
and complete Of American naval battles
the full mede of praise-to officers and
sailors alike.
Captain Clark gave his testimony
with impressive modesty as to himself,
and very distinctly and fo%rcefully as
to the commander of the fighting ships.
Commander Schley. Read the following
and you will see how one brave, noble
mar bears witness as to another brave.
noble man:
"Can you tell me with now many
ships the Brooklyn was engaged when
the smoke lifted and you saw her on
her westward course?
She must have been engaged with
all four.
Did you see the turn of the Brook
lyn?
mo, sir. I never saw the Brooklyn
until I came out of the smoke.
"How did the B%rooklyn's fire appear
to o at that time?
81 remember nothing about that. I
remember seeing her. 1t made a deep
impression upon me TO find her there,
and / felt that we should support and
sustain each other. 1 felt that a battle
ship was needed, and that we were to
be there together.
CLARK spoke not Of the work OF the
Oregon, except when necessary to make
his story clear"
The Memphis Commerc1al-Appeal
says aptly and precisely of Clark's great
services in the battle:
Eat Santiago he did his duty. Prob
ably but for his aid Schley and his
comrades would nave been in their last
sleep under the blue waves that lave
the rocky shores of Cuba. Four ships
were against one.
The Oregon fought with the Brook
lyn and the Brooklyn fought with The
Oregon. The rusting and shattered
hulks of Cervera's fleet are grim monu-
Nents to their powers. But Clark does
o boast. He applauds Schley's doc
trine of glory enough for all.
"And yet this man is still a captain.
Even worse-his relative rank is lower
than on the day he shot away the flag
staff of the Colon"
How ungenerous, neglectful and par
tial a republic can be. The congress
ought to cast it's favoring eye on Cap
tain Clark. The Messenger would be
just to all-unto Sampson, Bob Evans
and Lemly.
Take the messages that were sent
soon after the most glorious victory
over the Spanish ships in command Of
that fine gentleman and superb sailor,
Admiral Cervera, between Schley's own
flagship n Brooklyn, and Simpsons
flagship. the New York. There is really
much meaning in the brief messages,
when clearly seen and it is remembered
just when they were sent:
Brooklyn to flagship New York: eve
have gained a great victory. Details
will be communicated"
New York to Brooklyn: Report your
casualties"
Brooklyn to New York: This is a
great day for our country"
New York to Brooklyn: Ascertain
as far as possible position and strength
Of the enemy's forces and report Wi. =
out delay