Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-11-03
Sk0balpH.

All Russia at present is in mourning
over the sudden and untimely death of
one OF her most prominent military
chietains. From a low and subor,ii-
nate position, General Sk0beleif had
gradually and steadily worked his way
up in the line of military promotion
and efficiency. until he came to be the
central figure in the Russian army. He
was one Of those men who seem to in
herit genius by the operation of natu-
raj physical laws. His Afather was a
distinguished military man before him,
and at one time the son was member
81 his fathers staff. But no pent-up
Utica " could contract or cOntine his
expariing ability. He filled every po-
sition in which he was placed so full
that promotion came as matter of
necessity and relief. Step by step he
advanced to higher and lofticr attitudes
OF power. until he grew to be sort of
National idol-the pet and pride of the
whole realm. Wherever he went he
never failed TO enkindle strong en-
thusiasm, while his soldiers loved him
as much as ever Frenchmen did the
first Napoleon, or the Italians their Ma
tional hero, Garibaldi.
Skobelctf was born fighter. He de-
lighted to take great risks and plunge
headlong into scenes of thickest strife.
Dressed in the richest ard gaudiest
uniform when in action, making him.
self as conspicuous as possible by an
enormous hat and plume. riding the
best horse Obtainabe for love or money,
he never asked his men to 90 where he
did not personally lead the way. Thus.
often. by the suddcnness and power of
one of his attacks, swooping down up
on his enemy like an eagle from her
mountain eyrie, he would, with mere
handful of men, capture or put to utter
rOut force five times as large as his
own. AS General he seemed insensi-
bic to fear, and ALWAYS nut his own life
on level with those of his command
Whether this action was instigated bv
pure policy on SkobelOif's part, or
whether it was the result of his natural
ideas and feelings in regard to
war, the effect was the same.
1t gave him an invincibleness in
battle, and impaired n degree of inspi-
ration To his every word and movement
which made his presence worth more
To an attacking force than a thousand
additional troops.
But while as military lesder Sko-
beleti's death is n great loss to Russia,
as statesman and diplomat it is
question whether it may not be right
iully considered an equally great gain.
Like most other military geniuses,
Skobeleif seemed to have but one way
of getting at any object, and that was
to cut his way to it with sword. The
idea of using cautious evasiveness in
language. as diplomat. seems never
To have entered his head, and when.
few months ago. he was called upon to
make an after-dinner speech to some
students, he burted out SO many State
secrets, and announced such Il bold
programme of future action, that Rus
sia was compelled to make official ex-
plantations to nearly every court in Eu-
rope III order Ia maintain her peaceful
relations with them. Sk0becif had in
noccntly unburdcned his thoughts and
feelings to II body of couvivial friends,
never dreaming of any serious conse-
quences that could follow. when, 10 and
behold, his words were generally ac-
cepted rs official utteranccs. and he
was asked by the authorities at st.
Petersburg to retire from public view
and keep his mouth shut until thev
could undo the political mischief which
his honest but hasty utterances had oc-
casioned.
Skobelef died in tho very prime of
manhood and at the very zenith of his
military glory and renown. Had he
lived twenty years longer he could not
have avoided taking very active part
in public affairs, and at best it is mat
ter of doubt whether he would not
have done Russia rs much evil with his
hasty and intemperate talk Us he could
have done her service by his keen
edged and gallant sword. Hence the
prominent lesson of Skobeleif's short
and active life is, that no one man.
however great, is equally good and
wise in all branches of public service
or private industry; that each one has
his specially of excellence, and that
Skobeleirs particular forte lay in his
power over men when in the saddle
or on the tented field. Chicago journal.