The daily critic., 1890-10-01
DEFENDS THE ARMY.
Omoer Hook Believes II is Composed
Of Men Above tho Average

Omcer Hook Believes II o. Composed
Of Men Above tho Average.
Editor Critic, In your issue of Sep
tembcr 1G 1890 7 was more than sur
prised 10 read the following view.
as expressed by prominent citizen
under The heading of Views of Our
Leading Men Upon the Police Force Of
Washington, D. c., and from which ]
quote the following extract. "I know
that the most of those who 60 into
either the Army or Navy are men who
want 10 hide themselves from the
world. ! would respectfully call your
correspondent attention to the fact
that as far back as 1861 and during the
war Of the rebellion which followed
history and official records have shown
us that when men were required 20 fill
UP The ranks OF our Army ID was very
noticeable fact that the scribes Of TO
day on the Army and Navy problem
ngly objected 10 hiding themselves
iu the ranks Of the Army or behind the
bulwarks Of our Navy.
This was not the only great strife that
we have had To contend with. We have
iri Sh IN our memory the chastisement
Of the Mormon hordes upon the arid
shores Of Salt Lake; the many wars
with the Indian savage who Is responsi.
ble for the many desolated homes that
dot our fair country from Maine to Cal.
ifoinia for the many widows and
orphans, who carry In their hearts bitter
rCCollections Of these red skinned say.
ages whose trails through this great
country are marked with the bones Of
cur fellow men. with the unknown and
unmarked graves Of many Of those who.
as your correspondent expresses Il.
Were compelled TO hide themselves
from the world in the ranks Of our
army and our gallant sailors. who
stood by their shius In that memorable
storm that spread havoc over the harbor
Of Samoa, while our Yankee band
played The Star Spangled Banner,
as many OF these poor fellows hid
themselves from the world beneath the
seething waters
These deeds Of valor are not forgotten
by all our good citizens, neither are
they ignorant Of the fact, that each
year brings forth a number Of intelli.
gent young men Of undeniable respect
ability. who emanate from the hidden
ranks Of our Army, to don the
shoulder straps Of an officer and a gen.
tleman, and who, in my opinion, are
fully competent to associate with shyster
lawyers, type. writers and other would.
be professionals, both hidden and eN.
posed In the District Of Columbia.
The soldier and sailor stands upon his
record, which, In each and every case,
can be furnished upon application 90
the Army OF Navy Departments, and
which / am strongly Of the opinion will
compare most favorably with the same
number OF individuals whose records
are to be found on the blotters OF the
different police stations. / draw this
comparison to illustrate the different
classes of society, and TO show that con
siderable judgment combined with a
thorough personal knowledge Of the
ubjCCt commented upon, Is requisite
n all cases before person attempts to
cost any reflection upon the character OF
I umhtts OF our excellent young men.
who hide themselves In the ranks Of
our Army, with the cOmmcndable am
billion 81 placing their names In the
Official Army and Navy Register Of the
country. In conclusion, would state
that ! have had the honor to serve
fourteen years 10 the United States
Amy. | was neither compelled 10 hide
myself Ia Its ranks. nor compelled To
leave them. My record, with many
others, Is open for inspection. and II
may be "a good opportunity for cor.
respondents, before expressing empty
views upon this subjeCJ, 10 call and in.
terview some of the men who were
hidden away In the ranks Of the Army
and Navy. J. A. A. HooKE.
3l52 Z street n. ".
Scrtember 90. 1890.