The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-05-08
ADMIRAL SAMPSON,


Death ends all. Admiral Sampson died the pa
| thctic victim of public clamor and private prcu
dice. lie had followed the flag of his country
| for more than two.score years. Boy and man, lie
had served in two wars. lie had shared the ia c
of great naval engagements when he was barely
turned of 20. and in his mature years he had con.
ducted the blockade and planned the battle which
drove the Spanish flag from waters where it, OF
all flags. was first seen 400 years before.
lie had faced all a seaman's peril and done all
4 sailors duty. lie had taken the Patapsco into
Charleston harbor and had her blown up be-
meath him. Through thrty-three years of peace
he had made himself the first authority of his
day in ordnance, in scamarslp. in the modern
battleShip and in the organization of the navy.
For nearly twenty years, whenever the navy de-
partmcnt needed an officer for special, delicate
and dangerous duty, requiring mnging Of cou,.
age and knowledge, technical training and a
high standard of~CharaCtcr, he was selected. by
common consent, when the destruction of fhe
Maine called for keen inquiry, judicial poise and
the untlinching courage which would face an I'M.
popular decision, ii the evidence required it, he
was selected to head the commission Of investi.
CATION. Nor was there any question among his
fellow.ohicers that he, Of all the navy list, was
best fitted, when war came, to become comman-
der in chief OF the American fleet in Cuban
waters.
How he did his work was hest recorded when
the newspapers which announced his death car
ried dispatch telling of the sale TO contractor
old iron OF the Spanish vessels opposed TO
him. Cold, impassve, reserved, without emo
tion, knowing no desire hut the discharge of his
duty and no ambition hut his country's service
he made no appeal for popular favor or popular
support lie never sought crowd and no crowd
sought him. He did his work. Other men lost
or LETT the Spanish fleet he found it. His block
ade was never suspended. lie laid his lines close.
lie left no gaps. lie drew nearer by night than
by day, and thereby forced the enemy to action
under disldvantageous conditions. The courts,
his superiors, the president, the cabinet and every
competent critic of the situation decided the
great victory won TO be his.
Its rewards were all denied him. lie was tra-
duced and attacked. His motives were asperscd,
his honor assailed and his lonors obstruced, OPP
posed and defeated. His day and generation, the
senate and clamorng press denied him the
place which history will nnhesitatingly and I'M
qucstonabIy give Into the long and odious con.
fct, it is unnecessary to enter. 1t killed him.
lie had borne years of service, battle and cruise.
study and responsibility, command and the work
OF rendering victory assured when battle ap-
peared
These passed and left him still strong, slen-
der, hut erect, cleareyed,. decisive In manner
and alert in action, when he returned from the
war. score OF years seemed before him. De-
traction begX. The assault on him delayed re-
ward TO air his command, In vain he pleaded
to be omitted II the officers beneath him could
he recognized and promoted For months he
faced attacks which age and break down. Close
to retirement, his career run, his work done, no
duty neglected and no achievement unfulflled.
the rewards which great masses of his country
men gave him We're deferred hopes, broken
health, the eclipse OF reason and an untimely
death
With history he Is safe, and in history his will
he the sad and pathetic lot ior all time to point
the moral and enforce the annals OF unrewarded
merit and of great services whose adequate re-
cord was denied the navy register and must be
sought on his tombstone.