The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-11-07
ASTRONC ARGUMENT
Chief Counsel Rayner Closes
Plea For Schlsy.
THRILLING SCENE IN COURTROOM.
A Large Audience Listened to the
Brilliant EuIORy Of the Admiral.
Women Were Moved to Tears.
Mnny CongratuIatiOhs.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE climax
o. the Selley court of inquiry came
yesterday afternoon when Mr.. Rayner,
the chief counsel for Admiral Schley,
concluded n brilliant argument Of over
three hours with u peroratiOn SO elO-
quent and impassioned that all within
the sound of his voice were profoundly
touched. This remarkable trial, he
said, sought to condemn the man who
tion as great naval triumph as was
ever won. In vivid colors he painted
the picture of the Brooklyn with Com
modore Scllley on the bridge fighting
the entire Spanish fleet until the Ore
gon appeared out of the smoke. The
thunders of the Brooklyn, music for
the ears of his countrymen, he said,
aroused Admiral Schley's envious foes.
He pictured the victorious sailor suf-
fering as few have suffered for three
long years while the fires Of pcrsecu-
tion leaped around him and now await
ing the hour of his vindicatiOn in the
verdict of the court.
''And when it comes" he concluded,
she can, from the high and exalted po-
sition that he occupies. look down upon
his traducers and naligners and with
excellent pride exclaim: 1 care not for
the vcnomous gossip of clubs, drawing
rooms and cliques and the poisoned
shafts of envy and malice. await un-
der the guidance of divine Providence
the verdict of posterity.
The scene in the courtroom as he
finished with these words was thrill
Ing. The attendance had been large all
day, and at the morning session lady
had fuinted from excitement. AS Mr.
Rayner began his eulogy of Admiral
Schley those in the audience. many of
whom were ladies' leaned forward in
their seats. The spell of his Oratory
was over them, and when he described
admiral's gallant deeds and the
long persecution to which he had been
subjected many of them broke down
and wept. The members of the court
displayed evidences of emotion, and
Admiral Schley himself was plainly
moycd. He sat leaning back, with his
hands behind his head. His chin
twitchcd, and as his counsel said he
could afford to nw"it the verdict of
posterity two big tears rolled down his
checks. He moved uneaSily to conceal
his emotion and under the prrtcnse of
adjusting his glasses brushed the tears
aside. For full thirty seconds after
Mr.. Rayncr closed there was not
SQUAD Then the ten ion h.okr 1t" a
loud burst of applause.
Admiral Dewey, after about half
minute. arose to remind the spectators
that such n demonstration was out of
place. A moment afterward the court
adjourned. the judge advocate pleading
that he could not well go on then.
Then another remarkable thing hap
pened. AS soon as the gavcl fell the
entire audience surged forward to
shake the hands of Admiral Schlry and
Mr.. Raynrr. But the oncOming specta-
tors fell back a moment as they saw
Admiral Dewey and his two associates
move around the table as if by Il COM
mon impulse and congratulate Admiral
Schley and his counsel. Even Captain
Lemly, the judge advocate. came for
ward to join in the congratulations.
Then the public had its inning, and for
fifteen minutes after the court adjourn
ed Admiral Schiey and Mr.. Rayner
were kept busy shaking hands
Mr.. Rayner's argument consumed the
whole day of the court except for half
an hour at the opening, which Captain
Parker, his associate counsel occupied
in concluding.