The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-24

1851. and in command of a prize crew
he brought to Philadelphia one Of he
first large vessels captured In the war;
As navigating officer for the frigato
Potomac. executive officer OF gunboatS
and in other responsible posts. Schley
rendered distinguished service and par
ticipated in numerous fights with Far
ragut and Porter. and was compliment
ed for GOODNESS and courage. Neither
his superior officers nor the enemy dis
covered any sigma OF cowardice I'm him.
In 1868 he cruised in the South Pacific
and headed landing parties in fights
with turbulent islanders. In 1865
Schley led the charge upon the Korean
forts. fought hand to hand with the
Koreans. was the secona man of the
storTning party v the walls and was
credited officially by Commander Kim.
berly with having organized the expe-
dition and made its success possible.
He was complimented especially for
bravery and good Judgment
Commander Schley planned. equipped
n led the Greedy rescue expedition.
beat the Arctic whaiers by a hundred
miles in the race to Cape Sabin. and
brought the survivors OF the Greedy
party home. The president did not dis
cover anything cowardly or incompe-
tent In this achievement. He compii-
mented Commander Schley not only in
words, BIT by making him chief Of the
bureau or equipment. with the rank or
commodore.
At Valparaiso. when American sailors
were killed by a Chilean mob. the firm
ness. wisdom and discretion OF Schiey,
then captain of the Baltimore. prevent
ed a rupture OF friendly relations be-
tween the United States and Chilli. In
many capacities at sea and ashore.
Schley proved himself singularly en-
Gent and trustworthy. and because of
his conspicuous fitness he was pie ced
In command OF the flying squadron
when the Spanish war broke out. Then
he fought and won the battle OF santia-
go, practically ending the Spanish war.
and came home to be called coward
by the disappointed and chagrined man
who might have been there, but WASN'T.
In commenting on Mr.. Bentamin's
sketch. the editor OF The Review calls
attention to a point that has been gem
orally overlooked in discussions OF the
Sampson-Schley case. Admiral Schley
was Silent under the attacks OF IRE
sponsible persons. and even paid no at
tenuon 10 the 'gratest living histor-
IN venomous libels until Admiral
sampson acknowledged virtual respon-
Siollity for them. The editor OF The
Review says:
Since no charges had been brought
officially against Schley and his stand
ing in the naval service was therefore
without a flaw. it would seem as If he
might have proceeded in a different
manner. Instead OF asking for a court
or inquiry TO establish his reputation.
which a never been officially brought
into question, he might have demanded
that Sampson be tried by court martial
for conduct unbecoming an officer and
a gentleman. That Schlev
should AVE demanded an Investigation
into his own conduct rather than a
court martial for his rival seems to us
rather impulsive and ~quixotic. but q
mark both of self-respect n generos-
ity."
Throughout the controversy Admiral
Schleys attitude has been that OF a
mar conscious OF the justice OF his
cause and generously disposed to make
allowances for the bitterness of his en-
emys disappointment. Although h
has abstained from calling his detrac-
tors to the bar as defendants, the tech
meal function Of the court OF inquiry
Is subordinate in the public mind TO the
broader view OF the investigation. and
Admiral Schley's generosity AN not al
ter the fact that Admiral Sampson e
on trial before the American people for
aiding and abetting a literary lackey
in ~slandering a brave MANIPULATED
| phfa North American (RepubIfeanl