The Washington times., 1901-11-07

Department was mistaken, and that a
Shat time this locality was occupied by
| spanish troops The part Of the despatch
| which he declared tore itself to pieces
was that which informed the admiral thai
ne could coal off Cape Cruz, Gonaives, ol
! Mole St. Nicholas.
Speaking OF the fifth specification. Mr.
| Rayner said that Cape Cruz, where il was
| suggested the Flying Squadron might
coal was 109 miles from Santiago, In
making the retrograde movement Com
modore Schley had gone twenty-five miles
| away. In other words he did not go with
J IN eighty-four miles OF the distance the
| Government ordered him TO go.
He wanted the judge advocate to re-
| member 10 answer the question whether
| he could be condemned for such an act
| lie said that he could not be condemned
| for his intentions. Whether or not lie III
| tended to go to Key West could not con-
| denim him. He must be condemned for
! his acts. He also made a strong plea
| in favor of a commanding officer having
discretionary powers in the conduct OF his
Right TO Use Judgment
Continuing, Mr. Rayner said:
is a commanding officer away from
| home to be stripped of every prerogattve
that he ought TO possess. in order to de
| termine upon the exigencies of the occa-
sion? II he acts honestly. according to
the best Judgment and light that he mas.
is he to be branded and consigned to iS-
nominy because someone else in the same
situation might have adopted a different
course? 1t Is easy enough at THIS hour 10
pass crtttctsIn nI.aln the conduct OF the
campaign. The ouestions-ho is net
| to determine Whit is the condition OF our
| minds today, but what was the condition
| of Admiral Schleyss mind at the hour
| when the events took place.
The question is not What do we know
| now about coaling at sea, and about the
| facilities at Gonaives and at Mole St.
Nicholas and at Cruz, but What informa-
| tion did Admiral Sohiey have then! "
know now that the Spanish fleet was IN
Santiago on the 18th of May, but on that
day the whole world was doubtful upon
that subject. although every line OF ocean
cable was flashing with anxious inquiries
as to the destination Of the Spanish
squadron.
Upon this branch of the Investigation
stand by the testimony OF the Cuban pilot,
/ by the information conveyed by the
Aduia, by the conversation undoubtedly
had with Captain Sigsbee. by the unin-
tentional failure upon the part OF Cap
tatns Wise and Jewell to convey to Ad-
miral Schley even the purport of the mes
sageS they had received, and, what Is
more than all, l stand by the plat as to
the chasing capacity of the ships with the
coal on hand which has been filed in this
case, an imperishable document so far as
this controversy Il concerned. because 1t
eXonerateS the admiral from the slight
est criticism or censure. And, standing
know he VIII receive-an impartial verdict
from this tribunal"
in conclusion Mr. Rayner said:
Il have now briefly presented this case
as it appears to me in it's general outline
Such trial as this has never TO my
knowledge taken place in the history of
the world-a man tried for achieving a
great victory for his country and an ef
fort made to condemn him for having
carried to a successful termination as
great a naval triumph as ever was won
upon the waters of the world.
1t seemed to my mind that this case
had hardly opened with the testimony OF
Captain Higgnson before 1t commenced
10 totter. and from day to day its vision
airy fabric dissolved from view. When
| Captain Cock, their last witness, was put
upon the stand the entire structure col
lapsed, and now, when the witnesses from
our own ships and the gallant captain and
crew OF the Oregon and Admiral Schley
have narrated their unvarniShed tale. the
whole tenement. with all of its compart-
ments, from its foundation to its turret,
has disintegrated and lies like a mass Of
blackened ruins. fitting monument to its
architects and designers.
1T has taken three years to reveal
the truth. 1t has taken thus long to lay
low a lie. and expose il in all its naked
deformity. There is not a single word
that has fallen from the tongue of n sin
gle witness. friend or foe, that casts the
shadow of reflection upon the honored
name Of the hero of Santiago. He has
never claimed the glory of that battle.
No word to this effect has ever gone
forth from him to the American people.
Inc valiant Cook, the heroic Clark,
the lamented Philip, the intrepid and un-
daunted Wainwright. and all the other
captains. and every man. at every gun
and every soul on board Of every ship
are equal participants with Admiral
Schley In the honor wrought upon that
immortal day You carnot strike down
his figure standing UPON the bridge of
the Brooklyn.
stSas-S Ia MN sr-,-.-,-
was bowed, but his. as the Spanish shot
and shell fell thick and fast and sent
the life blood streaming from young Ell
lis. this gallant martyr for his country's
cause. You cannot strike him down, 1
say. You may assassinate me. but you
cannot intlmidate me- said the Irish pa
triot. Curran. as Re. turned upon his ac-
cusers and traducers.
No Usnrpntion of Glory.
There he stands upon the bridge of the
Rrooniyn, his ship almost alone, receiving
the entire fire of the Spanish foe, until
the Oregon, as if upon the wings of
lightning, sped into the thickness of this
mortal carnage. God bless the Oregon
was the cheer that rang from deck to
deck. and on they went, twin brothers in
the chase, until the lee gun was fired
from the Cristobal Colon, and the des-
potic coiors Of Spain were swept from the
face of her ancient possessions.
We'll done. Congratulate YOU on the
victory. was the streamer that was ben
from the halyard of the BROOKLYN and
from that day TO this no man has ever
heard from Admiral Schey the slightest
whisper or intimation that he has usurped
the glory of that imperishable hour. The
thunders of the Brooklyn. as lie trembled
on the waves have been disguf6an music
TO the ears of envious foes; bJ:t they have
pierced with Il ringing meiJdy the ears
OF MS countrymen, and struck respon-
siFe chord at the tireside of every Ameri-
can home. And what is more than all
which has been revealed in this case, as
mhtchiess as his courage, as unsullied as
his honor, is his beautiful character and
the generous spirit that animates his soul
and the forgtving heart that beats within
his bosom.
For three long years he has suffered
as few men have suffered. whit. the fires
of persecution have leapt around his
form. Now. thank God. the hour of his
vindication has come With cumposure
with resignation. with supreme and un-
faitering fortitude, he awaits the judg-
ment Of this illustrious tribunal, and
when that deliyerance comes as come il
must. ne can. from the high and exalted
position that he occupies, look down upon
his traducers and maligners. and. with
eNultant pride, eXclaim: i care not for
the venomous gossip of drawing rooms
and cliques and cabals, and the poisoned
shafts of envy and malice. | await lin-
der the guidance of Divine Providence
the verdict of postcrity"