Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-14
Have Done No
Wrong DENLY Says
In Detroit Address

ton from the cabinet while still
the malicious shafts of shame and
ridicule were hurting round my
head" was the hardest and, think,
the bravest thing l have ever done"
Edwin DENLY, former secretary of
the navy declared here tonight in
an address in response to the well
come extended him by fellow towns
men on his return from Washing
ton.
Il come neither asking forgiveness
nor bowed down in shame" the
former secretary said, but proudly
to proclaim to you that / have done
no wrong nor aught that merits re-
nor from them, my ruthless enemies.
Rather let me say to you that l
have endeavored to do my duty as
fully as God has given me power to
do.
$50 you shall not find me wearing
my grievances, if 1 have any, upon
my sleeve. You shall not be asked
for sympathy. and 1 pray you do
not give it, for l do not need it.
You shall not be bored now or here
after, collectively or individually,
with the recital Of my woes, for l
have none" * 7tt
A duty that rests upon the secre-
tary of the navy, Mr.. DENLY said,
is to see that provision is made
that the outer walls OF defense,
the walls of steel against attack
at any time, from any quarter"
may hold.
THAT needs thinking ahead, and
providing for the needs OF the iieet,"
he continued. "In trying to do that
/ have been OVerthrOwn
But L rejoice in the belief that
the work is done. Fuel oil will be
found in Hawaii for the onrushing
fleet if it ever is needed. And along
the coasts, east and west, of our
country, great reservoirs will be
found when and if the need ever
comes. They will be created by ex-
change or sale or storage of the
underground deposit which, had it
not been brought to the surface.
would have been lost to the navy
forever.
Il believe that what I did was
just and lawful and sound, and for
the best interests of the United
states. 1t would be idle to answer
those who say thatI, who have
loved my country and served it
twice in military uniform, that I
who cherish for tho great service
OF which / had the honor for three
years to be the chief, the warmest
affection and pride, that /, who look
into your faces tonight end find
there confidence, affection and
esteem, could have BETRAYED nv
country, the Navy, and you.'
Mr.. DENLY said that twice before
ne had come home to Michigan
from war to find friendship. CON
hdence and kindness.
Now for the third time" he con-
tlnued, Il come from war made
hatefuI by poisoned gas and base
strategems, from defeat without
shame TO welcome without flaw.
by innuendo and even direct at
tack, for the first time in NV life
my integrity has been assailed
valnIy assailed, I make bold to be-
leVe In the ears of those who hear
me now.
;, But do you think I could have
iiVed, bathed in filth from day to
Gay. II had not known there was
no JOINT In the armor of my honor !?
we talk about good conscience, but
we DO not understand until the
enemy Is trying to crush heart and
soul. Then between us and shame
and despair good conscience and
sinipie falth stand like guardian
angels. These angels and a third
stood ever keeping open the door of
happiness and keeping out the
demons of hate and bitterness. The
third was my wife.
when your wife can read dav
after day columns of abuse and
pronunciation and keep always a
smile and never complain and never
regret loss of honors. place and
position. so long as honor is I'M
impaired. the world has no .weanon
10 break or embitter the SOM
And from her, too. there will be no
just world"
ndence showered on him from
Michigan and other states before
he resigned, Mr.. DENLY said:
Believe it or not as Won vii,
you have made me a better man
lou nave strengthened my love for
my Fellow men. You have proved
that the world is good, that the
eternal verities still govern the AZ
iairs OF men. From a heavy I1ear ri
laden with the joy of this home
coming. l thank you and pledge Won
that you will not regret YOUR faith /"
rf~e. EN- "