The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-12-21

| The Philadelphia Times says :-''Cowardice
was the chief charge against Schiey: vi that
he is unanimously acquitted, his conduct
during the battle of July was self-possessed,
and he encouraged, in his person. his subor.
dinate officers and men to fight courageously,'
saws the majority report of the Court OF In
| ouiry. Commodore Schley was the senior
| officer of our squadron off Santiago when the
| Spanish squadron attempted to escape on the
morning of July 3, 1898. He was in absolute
command, and is entitled to the credit due to
such Il commanding officer for the glorious
victory which resulted in the total destruction
of the Spanish ships says Dewey in the mi
nority report. Thus the main point is settled,
and in Deweys opinion the second great con-
tention, that Schley was in command and was
entitled to the victory, should be decided IN
Schey's favor. Admirals Benham and ham
| say have plainly done what they could to save
the naval clique from complete humiliation
and have perpetrated another outrage against
a hero
The Philadelphia Record says :-"As a sort
of poultice for Admiral Schley's wounded self
respect there is presented minority report by
Admiral Dewey, in which he declares fatty
that Schey was senior officer off Santiago
during the fight, in absolute command and
entitled to whatever credit is due for the VIC
tory then and there achieved. This, after all,
is the main point to be considered and deter
mined and the applicant, who found no favor
at the hands of Real Admirals Benham and
Ramsay may think himself fortunate, indeed,
when the victor at Manila bay halls him as
victor at Santiago. This powerful lndorse.
ment should be in itself sufficient to upset and
minimize adverse opinion in any other official
quarter, and so far forth Admiral Schley may
fairly claim congratulation at the hands OF his
friends"
The Philadelphia Ledger, Republican, says
mo one outside of naval circles cares about
the details of naval movements leading up to
the battle and the brilliant victory won by the
American fleet. The central point of interest
is the victory itself. Who won it? The en-
tire court commends Schley's conduct during
the battle. and Admiral Dewey gives him such
credit for it as falls to the men in actual and
absolute command.
The New York Journal says Fighters
know each other. The victor of Manila rec
ognizes and does justice to the victor OF San
tiago. Dewey place the laures where they
belong, and where the American people,
guided by their common sense and love OF falr
play, have insisted on placing them ever since
the battle of Santiago was fought and won-
on ScIley s, not on the absent SIMPSONS,
brow To the American people Admiral
Dewey was the Court Of Inquiry, summoned
to pass Judgment upon Schley.
The Hartford Courant Altogether
Rear dmiral Schley has cause for congratu
Iaton, and the majority of the people of the
United States will rejoice thereat. For what
ever the finding as to the details his conduct in
action (the 'cowardice' question: is commend
ed by the entire court. Admiral Dewey even
goes out Of his way to emphasize this all I'M
portamt point and to give Schley the full credit
for the victory at Santiago
The Washington Post says-"It will be per-
ceived on close inspection that AdmlralS Ben
ham and Ramsay have reached their verdict
by the simple process OF ignoring the testimony
of such men as Cook and Clark and conlining
themselves to that Of such men as Chadwick,
Switzerland and Bristol Either Cook and
Clark have lied or Admirals Ramsay and Ben
ham regard them as lacking in intelligence.
The American people will have little trouble
in choosing among these contradictory hy-
pOhescs. For our part we pass them tor the
moment rs unworthy of serious consideration.
Ii is clear to us that Admiral Schley should
take his case into Il civil court, suing Maclay's
publishers for libel. Through this expedient
only can he bring to light the infamous con
spiracy against his fame and hold up to public
eXecraton the conspirators thus far screened
by the department whose favorites, tools and
benehciaries they notorlouSl y are. 1t has not
escaped the attention OF the reading public that
Schley was never permitted to raise the ques-
ton of the motive, the character or the record
OF his accusers; that he was invariably check
ed in AN attempt to unveil the influences that
had made his persecution possible; that, while
Schley was subjected to every assault inspired
by prejudice, ignorance or passion, no chal-
Ienge could ever be permitted in the case of
his known detyactors and would-be assassins.
The country is thoroughly aware of this
thoroughly convinced that the Navy Depart
ment is honeycombed with vicious and ignobIe
practices"
The Pitsburg Dispatch says-''Schley can
be content to stand with Dewey Endorsement
as representing the actual naval fighters against
the desk critics about the Navy Department
1t is unnecessary to give futher press com.
mentS. The papers, North, South, East and
West, regardless of politics. are overwhelm-
ingly in favor of Dewey verdict and criticise
Benham and Ramsay as belonging to the Navy
clique, hostile to and prejudiced against Schley.