Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-24
LET IT REST

Says President Roosevelt in concluding
his observations on the Schley appeal:
side for any further agitation OF this UNI
happy. controversy All right-let II rest.
Bee
Mr.. Roosevelt branded as a coward a man
whom the people have learned TO regard as
a hero, and after applying this brand Mr..
Roosevelt says there is no excuse what
ever for any further agitation Of this un-
happy controversy" No excuse for the
friends Of a man to resent the charge that
he is a coward-a charge known by every
student OF history to be as cruel as It is
u~nfouuded7 No wonder republican organs
echo Mr.. Roosevelt's expressed wish and
plead 'let IL rest."-world-H Herald.
In saying "Iet 1t rest" The Bee is not
ecboing anyone's plea, but simply re-
iterating what 1t said when the decision
Of the court of inquiry was made public.
At that time The Bee expressed itself
freely as follows:
The findings of a majority Of the schley
court OF inquiry will be disappointing to a
large majority Of the American people, ex-
cept az to the concluding statement that
Admiral Schley's conduct during the bat
tie OF July 3 was self-possessed and he
encouraged, in his own person, his sub
ordinate officers and men to fight courage
ously." This statement was made neces-
sary by the fact hat all the trustworthy
testimony given before the court showed
that the conduct Of Schley in the battle
was In the highest degree commendable.
In regard to the other conclusions Of the
majority, those who carefully read the testi-
mony before the court and are capable
Of ar impartial judgment will find 1t din
cult TO understand how these conclusions,
or most Of them, could be drawn from the
evidence. No one will be disposed to ques-
ton the integrity or the impartiality of
Admirals Benham and Ramsay, but their
Judgment may properly be criticised and
will not be generally accepted, as to the
more essential and important points,
against the opinion Of Admiral Dewey.
After discussing some Of the details
In the report The Bee went on further
and said:
There will be well nigh universal ap-
proval Of the statement with which Admiral
Dewey concludes his opinion, that Schley,
being in absolute command OF the squad
ron of Santiago when the Spanish squadron
attempted to escape, ais entitled to the
credit due to such commanding officer for
the glorious victory which resulted in the
total destruction OF the Spanish ships"
That is Just. 1t is the judgment Of the
great majority Of the American people and
1t is not to be doubted will be the verdict
Of impartial history. Give what credit we
may to the ability of Sampson in connec-
tion with the Santiago laval campaign
there is no escaping the fact that the
credit for destroying Cervera's squadron
belongs to Schley.
This extraordinary case should In oul
judgment, end where 1t is. We can con.
ceive OF nothing to be gained by ~reopeninl
It, as suggested by the leading counsel FOL
Admiral Schley. The victor at Santiago
can with entire safety to his character ant
fame leave the case to the fair and Just
judgment of his countrymen and the verdict
of history.
We do not see how the memorandum
of President Roosevelt has changed the
situation materially or added any rea.
son why the case should be kept open
longer. Papers like the World Herald
whose sole object is to use the un'
fortunate controversy to make political
capital, will Of course object to letting
It rest. The popular verdict has, how.
ever, been rendered and has not beer
disturbed by the refusal Of the presi
dent to set aside the finding Of the
court of inquiry.