The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-02-01

and now to Mr.. Roosevelt alone Is
left the responsibility Of wiping from
the records OF American history this,
one OF its blaclest pages, in the
findings OF the majority of that
noted court, which vas an ca Parfe
proceeding at its inception and re-
NAMED so unto the end. Truth was
handled with a r~ecklesSness born Of
desperation and justice was system
atically trampled under foot with a
determination shocking to the people
Of a country Of patriotic motive and
strict adherence to the right, no
matter what interest may be in the
balance.
Rear Admiral Schley appeals to Mr.
Roosevelt as commander in chief Of
the army and navy, ''yested with
power to regulate and direct acts Of
the several executive officers thereof.
He asks that the findings Of the court
be reviewed, basing his appeal on the
deductions of Admiral Dewey as
opposed to the majority report. A
dispatch from Washington says:
1.-THE first ground Of appeal is in
reference to the Endorsement Of Sec
rotary Long approving the finding Of
the court and yenturing no opinion on
the questions of command and credit
for the victory. The president is
asked to annul this Endorsement
and approve Admiral Dewey's state
ment declaring Schley in command.
"The second ground OF the appeal
relates to the alleged withdrawal Of
the squadron at nigh from Santiago
bay, the character Of the blockade and
the propriety of Schley's conduct.
The president is asked to annul Sec
rotary Longs Endorsement Of the
courts findings in these particulars
and substitute the holding Of Admiral
Dewey that the blockade was effective.
1.-THE third ground recites Admiral
Dewey's opinion that the passage
from Key West TO CienfuegOs was
made with all possible dispatch, hav-
ing in view the Importance of arriving
of Cienfuegos with sufficient coal, and
that the passage from C~ienfuegos to a
point off Santiago was made with as
much dispatch as possible, while keep
ing the squadron a unit. 1t is claimed
that while this is at variance on GER
tain points with the opinion of the
majority Of the court, it is the only
decision justified by evidence and
facts.
"The findings Of the court are
objected to as in conflict with the
overwhelming weight Of evidence,
and it is declared that the majority Of
the court ignored the petitioners
testimony, that Of his witnesses and
all that part Of the government testi-
mOny favorable to him The majority,
it is stated, did not give him oppor-
tunity to bring in proper and con
vincing evidence. respecting the pas
sage to CienfuegoS, and. it is declared,
the evidence taken on that point was
directly contrary to the opinion rem
dered.
"Finally it is reiterated that the
majority rejected all Of Schley's tes-
timony and OF his witnesses, though
he was on the stand for many hours
and subjected to the most searching
examination, and by 20 doing they
have perverted the ends of Justice.
II is stated that If this testimony was
all false they should have so announc-
ed; and il all or any part Of it were
true, the said applicant was entitled
to the benefit of it, and by declining
to consider or pass upon it they have
deprived Tim Of his common law and
constitutional rights"
1t is now up to Mr.. Roosevelt and
the country will await with impa-
thence his decision in tbs matter.
Tnis Sciley incident is one Of great
moment to the American people,
wioSe belief in fairness and Justice is
stronger than tnat Of any OF er nation
Of people under tie sun. For tie
majority Of the court Of inquiry that
found against the facts in order to
uphold t e unclean hands and am
billions of a coterie of naval conspira-
tors who DO not hesitate at ~smirching
the reputation of a brave officer and a
national hero, these people have only
contempt-a contempt that will
follow them to tneir graves and leave
them most unenviable places in the
history Of the nation which they
sought to disgrace. Surely they SO
know. Through general and indis-
criminate condemnation Of their acts
these men have certainly had the fact
impressed upon them that
Truth crushed to earth will rise again
The eternal years OF Goo are hers;
But error, wounded, writhes In pain
And dies amid It's worshlppers."
What will Mr.. Roosevelt do? In