The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-13
Naval Decorations.

Naval Decorations.
The United States will have made an
other vast stride in the direction Of i'm
perial destiny If the Administration and
Congress should approve the recommended
ton of naval board appointed to con-
slider and report upon the best method Of
rewarding individual gallantry. distin-
guishcd conduct AID unusual merit in the
service
The board in question has considered
the question, and has made a report to
Secretary Long which is about the most
astonishing thing in its way that has ever
been seen 1t recommends a series OF
graduated decorations, each except the
lowest grade carrying a pension, for dis
tinguished or meTitorious or campaign
service. 1t is proposed TO call the highest of
these orders the Medal Of the Republic"
This. the board thinks, should be reserved
exclusively for the commander-n-chefo Of
a fleet or squadron who gains decisive
victory over a fleet or squadron of the
enemy equal or superior TO 1t in strength.
At the Navy Department it is said that
the Administration would regard Admiral
Dewey. who destroyed the Spanish feet
in Manila Harbor, and Sampson. who was
absent from and not even legally in COM
mand CT the Feet off Santiago when the
battle with CeTvera was won by another
as eligible 10 this most honorable and ex-
allied military order The inference is
that Rear Admiral Schley. who com
maRded in the enga sement and who gained
the ricto-y. while yet Sampson was hull
down behind the eastern horizon. would
not be considered eligible. The grand
Medal Of the Republic is to increase the
pay of its recipient by thirty-three and
one-ihird per cent and, after his death
his widow is to eeeYe his full p9y IN -,
active list until us younEe~- child shall
reach majority.
The ether orders or medals IS the
naval board modestly calls them. out of
respect for old-fashioned American preiu-
dices-are to be the Paul Jones'" the
''Farrasut," and the Campaign" The
first named of these. the Paul jones
medal, is 10 be awarded to an officer con-
tributing in special manner to decisive
victory over an enemy. This decoration
will carry twenty five per cent increase
OF pay for life. but no hereditary pension.
The Farragut medal is for officers or en-
listed men distinguished by eminent con-
duet in action, such as reseuing a wound
ed under fire, and such things. \
small life pension viii go with this dis
tinction. Then. finally, We come to the
Campaign medal, which is 10 be given to
commemorate campaign. and TO all Off
GERS and men who have served honorably
through it.
II the country thinks it well to hang
silver. copper, and brazen baggage checks
on the breasts of its naval officers and
blueiackets. as a thank-offerlng to them
for doing their duty, and with no strings
tied to the operation. we should not find
anything much to criticise in The policy
II Congress chooses to vote a special and
personal decoration, as it has occasion
ally, or. if it should provide by law for
national medals of a number of classes,
TO be bestowed for defined and graded ser
vices, We should not feel like oDjectlng.
True. II already has much the appearance
of aping Europe when our brave defenders
appear in their glittering uniforms a The
head OF their men, or in foreign ports or
courts, their bosoms scin;ilEatirg with the
badges Of the hereditary revolutionary
societies the Grandsons Of 1872 the Az
tee Club Of Mexican War Survivors. the
Loyal Legion, the Grand Army. etc
But even the practice to which we refer
although 1t may be considered = ridicu-
lous one, full OF the cheapest vanity
might be tolerated and extended By tht
Government. and in the way we have sug-
gested, without doing particular harm L
would be a different matter to drive -he
wedge Of privileged class of court noble.
into our institutions by granting decora.
tive dignities to fayOrites Of the Admins
tr>tion in power which should carry with
them life and, in one ease proposed
hereditary pensions, Once permit such
system OF rewards TO exist in this countF,
in principle and rapid expansion woulC
be certain TO follow. The Medal OF lht
Republic would quickly become the Crane
Eagle and Gordon Of the Republic. with
the first class OF Knight Grand Cross fol
foreign princes and potentates. and few
others; with the second class. Of knight
Commander. for admirals and generals
and the third class Of Companion for cap
tains and colonies; much as the once sin
gle class Order OF the Bath in England Il
noy distributed 4 similar fate wouI,
soon ore..eke the lesser orders.
The proposition OF the naval hoart
needs only analysis 10 expose it to con
tempt and deTision The fact that tn
navy ring affects TO look upon Sampsol
as entitled, equally with Admiral Dewey
70 the highest distinction recommended
may be natural enough in the circmn
stances. But IL is quite certain II INT
eonqueror OF Manila were consulted on tn
subject he would promptly declare that i
Sampson be eligible TO the honor de
scribed In the report-that of the Media
Of the Republic-;he Admiral Of the NaT
is not, and never could be.
Obnoxious Celestial BoauacIt!.
Our China dispatches today contain tn
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