The Washington herald., 1907-10-11
PEACE IN Big NAVY
Medal of Honor Men Express
Sentiment at Banquet.
VIEWS OF ADMIRAL SCHLEY
to Navy Declared TO be
Cheaper than War and "A Sure Pre-
ventative-nOatswRi Tells OF Life
as n Sailor with BrOOkIyn's COM
mnnder ut Santiago de Cuba.

Clarifying their country in words of
praise as they did years ago on the bat
tie field by deeds of yaior, the United
States Medal of Honor Legion concluded
their seventeenth annual convention with
a banquet at the Ebbitt last night. The
great dining room was festooned with
the Stars and Stripes. and cut flowers
graced the tables, at which were seated
men, many OF whom were minus a leg or
arm. possibly both. sacrificed on the field
OF battle in the defense OF their country.
Commander p. De Lacy was toastmas-
ter, and after invocation by Chaplain Mil
Ter. Past Commander J. c. Julius Lang
bein responded to the toast Of ''The
President of the United States" The
feature Of the evening was the speech
OF Admiral Schley, who. when he arose,
received a veritable ovation. He was in
troduced by William l. Hill, chief boat
swain. L. s N, whose address on the
theme, The navy has never taken water,
except at a launching was received
with long continued and hearty applause
Equal Opportunities.
Admiral schley, In the course Of his re-
spouse 10 the toast Of The Navy said
that he would rather wear a medal OF
honor conferred on him by his govern
ment for conspicuous service to the ma
ton than TO wear the scepte of a king
inherited by the accident Of birth. Il be-
lieve in equal opportunities" said the ad-
miral, TO make the best of ones life or
talents, and more than twenty years ago
I was an advocate of the open door from
the forecastle to the quarterback, for the
most worthy and meritorious. I believed
that any discrimination against the de-
serving men was unfair, was un-Ameri-
can. Thank God, after the Spanish war.
when our bullies behind the guns had
written their autographs all over the
enemys ships with shot and shell, this
barrier was swept away.
In all my long experience Of forty
years and more, ! have found the men of
the navy always faithful, loyal, ready,
and fearless. In every requirement Of
duty no matter how peTilous 1t might
have been, It was never a question nf
who would volunteer. but the difficulty
always was 20 select from the many who
volunteered the few who were required
/ for the undertaking"
The Navy and Water.
After the laundering applause which
/ the admiral received for his patriotic
sentiments had sibsided. Chief Boat
/ swain Hill. Of the United States navy,
| arose to speak on The navy has never
taken water, except at a launching"
He said: 'T was at the launching OF
/ the Kentucky at Newport News IN the
spring of 'sS. The beauty OF Kentucky
/ was present on that occasion, and Gov
! Bradley's fair daughter held the post
! Of honor as sponsor. The governors and
/ his family being strong temperance
/ people, they decided 10 use water Il
/ christen the ship with instead of the
! traditional bottle Of champagne.
"As the ship started on the ways
/ Miss Bradley smashed the bottle of
water on the bow, with I Christen thee
/ Kentucky At that instant every
/ daughter Of the Blue Grass State pres
| ent drew forth from her pocket
! guess ! am a little of about the pocket
] il must have been their shirt waists
a flask of good old Kentucky dew
! and smashing them against the bow
| they cried And so do we christen thee
/ Kentucky There I heard one damsel
/ say. Now no sailor viii be afraid to &c
/ 10 sea in the eKntucky'"
! If il is meant that by never taking
water that the navy has never Stunned
/ a fight. then ! can answer. IT never has!
From Paul Jones In the Bon Homme
| Richard, lashed yard arm to yard arm
! with the Scraps, 10 Schley smashing Ger
| vera's fleet at Santiago, the navy has
/ taken ships instead OF water.
In this. the home city of Admiral
/ Schley. 1 want TO say that no better OF
/ braver man ever led into action. l con
/ slider that l have a perfect right to make
/ this statement, for during that four
! hours fight of Santiago I was neal
| enough to touch him at any time
/ You know, you men who have fought
/ under leaders, what II means when l say
/ that the one who leads you does not have
| to show fear but if he shows the slight
/ est lack of Judgment at critical period
| there is a feeling of revulsion comes ovei
you against the man. Now, when I say
/ that my admiration for SChley during the
/ fight was such that felt drawn toward
/ him, felt that / wanted 10 touch him, you
will understand why ne is my idea
/ hero"
SchIey Hs Leader.
IF I were selected tonight 10 take
! part In an enterprise that meant almost
certain death, and was asked to name {
| leader, I would say, unhesitatingly, Civ,
| ne Winfield Scott Schley.
we cannot have leaders without some
one TO lie led, and I think l can safely
say that the American blue jacket Is the
! equal Of any man-O'-war sman afloat.
II have spent thirty-four years OF my
life in the naval service. seven of which
wore the blue shirt, and it is an honor
to wear it. But since that abominabll
word Jackie has come into use there ar,
some people that turn their heads IN,
other way when Jack heaves IN sight
THE nations of the earth are preach