The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-07-25
ADMIRAL
SAMPSON
Critics Of The Bystander
Have Their
Say.

Editor Advertiser: People read the
Sunday morning paper for both infor-
nation and recreation and it is only
fair to say that they are generally
rewarded. Sometimes they come
makes them wonder how it got space.
OF that nature is your "Bystanders"
false and malicious, or, at least, utter
ly understandable, attack on the late
Admiral Sampson. Many years per-
sonar acquaintance leads me to believe
that Bystander is either woefully mis-
taken Or malicious.
Sampson was of a modest and ex-
ceedingly reserved nature, so was
George Washington. Ignorant people,
and those of little powers of observa-
ton, who are frequently poor judges
Iof human nature, denounce these
traits as aristocratic and overbearing,
but they are generally mistaken. He
was something of a martinez in his
strict observance of naval etiquette
and discipline,s and this was counted
against him. He knew how to keep
his own counsel. Naturally this won
him the cordial enmity of the news
paper fraternity, for nothing is of such
overwhelming Importance to them as
to publish news of the army and navy
even more in war times than in peace
1t is of more Importance to publish
the plans of a campaign, even if the
country is seriously injured, than to
refrain. 1t is of secondary Importance
that the army suffers defeat, because
the plans are made known to the pea
pie. and incidentally to the enemy
Sampson was the same to all men,
All We're treated with respect even
though his manner was reserved. Be
hind it all he possessed the real secret
OF good manners, kind heart. Many
a Jack tar can tell of consideration
and kindness from him But he would
of that sort in which he figured. In
talking of his humble ancestry he
never gave the impression. either that
he was ashamed of it, or puffed with
consciousness of the fact that he had
risen SO far above his parents. In
fact the impression left after a con-
versation of this character is, that he
not only respected his parents, and ad-
mired some of their qualities, but that
no thought of any social distinction
entered his mind. No doubt it is true
that sometimes he did not see
friends, nor even his enemies l have
seen him on parade when 1 was struck
with the fact that he saw nothing ex-
cept the particular line of his duty.
In this 1 am willing to admit that he
differed from those who are fully alive
to the recognition of their fine clothes
and splendid bearing.
In short, hunting through Bystand-
ers screed for some keynote to his OBJ
ject in putting it in print, L am
strongly impressed with the belief that
his prejudice and veXation arises from
the fact, SIMPSONS origin was very
lowly, and that lin Bystander's mind,
of course) he had no right to rise so
far above it. This, perhaps, is one of
the very un-American things which we
unsophsticated young territorials
must be taught to avoidi 1t is a little
hard to find out exactly what is meant
when we are told that it is
high time that Hawaii was American
lied.
Would it be asking too much fair
ness. to suggest that this receive as
prominent position in your Mondays
issue as Bystander had in Sundays
paper?
Respectfully yours.
w. r. CASTLE.