New Britain herald., 1924-03-14
DENBY SAYS HE MAD|.E| ]. AC0URAGE0US MOVE|
Resigned While Shafts of Ridiculs
 Hurtled Around His Head

Detroit, Mich... March H. Resig.
 nation While still the malicious shafts
 Of shame and ridicuIe were hurting round my head" was the "hardest
 and' think, the bravest thing I have
 ever done," Edwin Denby, former sec
 retary or the navy, declared here last
 snight-in an address in response to the
 welcome extended him by fellow townsmen on his return from Wash
 ington.
 T come neither asking forgiveness
 nor bowed down in shame,'i' the for
 n1er secretary said. but proudly to
 proclaim to you that have done no
 wrong nor aught that merits rebuke
 from you, my dearest friends, nor
 from them, my ruthless enemies
 Rather let me say. to you that have
 endeavored to do my duty as fully as
 God has given me power to do,
 So you shall not find me wearing
 my grievances, If have any, upon my
 sleeve. You shall not be asked for
 sympathy, and pray you do not give
 #. for I do not need it. You shall
 not be. bored now or hereafter, col lectively or individually, with the re- cital of my woes. for have none"
 A duty that rests upon the secretary of the navy, Mir. Denby 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 fleet" he continued. Tn trying to do that I have been overthrown. .. | "But'I rejoice in the belief that the work Is done. Fuel oil will be found l m Hawaii for the onrushing fleet if it 1 ever is needed, And along the coasts, | east and west, of our country, great reservoirs will be found when and if 1 the need ever comes. They will be created by exchange or sale or storage of the underground deposit which. l had 1t not been brought to the sur. | face, would have been lost to the navy forever, +ee.- .'--
 T believe that what did was just and lawful and sound. and for the [ best interests of the United States. It would be idle to answerthose who say | that !, who have loved my country | and served 1t twice in military uni | form, that I. who cherish for the II great service of which had the hon or for three years to be the chief. the "armest affection and pride. that I. who look into your faces tonight and md there confidence, affection ana esteem, could have betrayed my country, the navy, and you lI
 Mir penhy said that twice before he had come home to Michigan from war to ind friendship, confidence and kindness
 Now for the third time. he con- tinued, T come from war made hate. fnl by poisoned gas and base strate. gems, from defeat without shame 10 welcome without flaw. By innuendo and even direct attack. for the first time in my life, my integrity has been ssailed, vainly assailed, make bold To believe, in the ears of these who near me now.
 But do you think could have wed, bathed in filth from day to day, f I had not known there was no joirt n the armor of my honor We talk bout good conscience, but re do not understand until the enemy is tryine Q crush heart and soul Then be- peen us and shame and despsir good onscience and simple taith stand Ike guardian angels These angela nd g third, stood ever keeping open he door of happiness and keeping Ut the demons of hate and bitterness. he third was my wife
 When your wife can read day fer day columns of abuse and de. unciation and keep always a smile nd never complain and never regret 'ss of honors, place and position, so. ,ng ss honor is unimpsired. the 'orld has no weapon to break or em. liter the soul. And from her, too, 1ere will be no mourning CT com. laining of an unjust world !"
 Speaking of messages of confidence lowered on him from Michigan and ther states before he resigned, Mir. enby eaid
 Believe it or not as you will, you ave made me a better man. You i've strengthened my love for my How man. You have proved that le world is good. that the eternal .rities still govern the affairs of men. rom heavy heart laden with the y of this home coming. I thank you Id pledge you that you will not re- ct your faith"
 a =