Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-31

diSobediencc, but he stood fast in his
rcSusal He was placed in arrest for
further dealing. Other less noble hands
We're found, and the old flag came
down. The face Of high noon beheld it
darkened in the dust.
Of the officers who were actors here,
tn" two surbordinates referred to-a
captain and lieutenant Of the navy
speedily entered the Confederate SER
vice; the surendering commodore,
tried by a naval court martial for neg
lect of duty, disobedience OF orders
and conduct unbecoming an officer, was
found guilty Of all, and mildly punished
ty five years suspension from COM
mani and public reprimand by the
secretary Of the navy.
The court moved by the testimony as
to the conduct Of William Conway
earnestly recommended to the depart
ment that a suitable mark of official
appreciation be bestowed on him for
his manly and patriotic behavior. This
was fittingly done in general orders
published throughout the navy. A testi-
monial of admiration, with a comment
oratfve gold medal. was also sent to
Conway by New England men in Cali
fornia, and was presented to him ac-
companied with a highly commenda-
tOry personal letter from the secretary
Of tho navy, on the quarterback Of the
warship Mississippi amidst the enthu-
siastic plaudits of the whole ships
company He continued in his station
in the navy quietly and unnoticed, as
he also died. and was buried in a soon
forgotten grave in Brooklyn navy yard.
1t is, as I said, a simple story. The
actor in it did not dream he was a
hero: did not imagine he was to be no.
ticed, except for punishment for diso-
bedience of orders. He was not acting
for the eyes of men, but from the be-
hest Of a manly single soul daring to
be true amidst every circumstance dark
and forbidding.
But darkness could not hold that
diamond record; no n2meless grave
hides that manhood. We behold him
lifted up in light. for the eyes of men:
radiating light, for our admiration and
inspiration. Today, the man and his
flag stand on high together. Dear as
he held it. it holds him today. What
is 4 flag? 1t is the symbol Of faith. an
authority, a power. To be held aloft, 20
be seen and known, to be defended.
indicated, followed, borne forward in
the name and token of its right. When
the flag is that of country, and free
country, it enfolds deeper meaning. 1t
stands not only for faith, but for a
covenant; it is sacred, not only as the
symbol Of authority and power, but
of great trusts for human Well-being.
for right and freedom and all the
sancities of life. 1t is dear, not only for
protection and peace, but for what has
gone into it of toll and treasure, OF
precious blood and tears, of overpass-
ing devotion and sacrifice. 1t stands for
the all-comprehending social order
which gives value to our work and our
life. Hence among human rights, we
hold that Of country supreme. For this
we reverence and love the flag and are
sensitive of its honor at the cost, If
need be- our lives.
If we can take in the reach of this
thought, we can appreciate the con-
duct Of William Conway. Note the
marks of it! Honor; truth to trust:
keeping of faith; loyalty to principle;
right reasoning, discriminating among
conflicting orders; determining the rank
of pretending authorities and of his
own present duties. He could not legal
ly have been blamed if he had obeyed
the orders of his appointed superiors
still in the commission Of the United
States But higher thoughts held his
heart. 1t was not the simple hauling
down of the flag. That came down
with tender glory at every sunset. But
It was the dishonoring of the flag, the
emblem of his country's honor, which
he would lend no hand to. He disobey-
ed orders, to obey the greater covenant
with his country. This is what L call
lofty loyalty.
Then, too, it was heroic courage.
Daring for the right everything the
commonplace of obedience to orders
and the long habit which years of dis
cipline had made a second nature. IL
was no light ordeal to encounter what
he did Around him-except the little
band of United States marines, spir-
itless. paltering shapes Of men; con-
fronting him, overwhelming hostile
forces in impudent, insulting array;
above him. commissioned superiors ir-
resolute and weak. or pledged in heart
to his countrys enemies. having pow