Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-01-05
GENERAL sNowpgMs REPORT.
Comments On the Calling Out Of the
Troops to Homestead.

comments On tho ChilinH Out OF tno
Troops to Homestead.
HARRISBURG, Dec, 27.-Major Gen.
eral Snowden, division commander Of
the national guard, has submitted his
annual report to the adjutant general.
Considerable space is devoted to the
Homestead affair. He reviews the call
ing out of the troops, the concentration
near the scene of the trouble and the
success of the movement. General
Snowden says:
"There is no doubt that the presence
of so large force so startling in its
sudden and unexpected appearance pre-
served that part of the state. perhaps
the country at large, from disturbances
such US we have not heretofore wit
messed and the First brigade'contributed
its full share"
Referring to the service at Home
stead, he says:
"The good faith of the amalgamated
association might well be doubted.
While all open resistance ceased, their
scouts and forces drawn in, the censor
ship of the press stopped, and the false
government erected by them, came to
an end, yet for some time they kept up
their system of intimidation. Large
crowds assembled suddenly and as
promptly dispersed, but not without
abuse and insult heaped upon the sol
diery. These affronts were borne with
forbearance and such discretion, self
possession and strict obedience to order
by so great number of troops are wor-
thy of the highest praise"
The major general does not discuss
events prior to his arrived at Homestead,
but doubts if the sheriff could have
raised a posse equal in number Oh
physique equal to the opposition. The
smaller force sent there would have in.
vited conflict and ended in that which
the governor did in the first place, send.
ing overwhelming numbers. Of the
Iams episode he says:
1.-THE admirable military spirit dis.
played by all the troops-1,S15 in mum
ber-was kept up throughout except by
one man-Iams, of the Tenth. The at
tempted assassination of Mr.. Frick lee
to great excitement and tumult il
Pittsburg and some apprehension IL
camp. Guards were doubled, and Col
onel Hawkins, in particular, was mott
fled to be on the alert. Iams jumped W
and called for Three cheers for the
man who killed Frick.'
Mr.. Frick was no more to the troop!
than any other reputable citizen, bu
the act was done in sympathy with rio
and anarchy. In the state of war theI
prevailing. as since laid down by tn,
chief justice, Iams' act was mutiny an(
treason, and Colonel Streator woul(
have been justified IN using measures, i
necessary, upon the spot. In fact, al
officer failing to repress mutiny is liabl
to severe penalties. Ians would not ex
plain or apologize for his conduct.
I'm face of imperative necessity t,
enforce discipline. which seemed to ad
NIT no delay for court martial whicl
might have put on Iams the most eX
treme sentence, and after consultation
with Colonel Hawkins Colonel Streato
imposed upon the man penalty Q
which the severity has been great
over-stated. If the punishment, a.
though often inflicted in war, may h
said to be unusual, the circumstance
were extraordinary. Now, that it
proper to express an opinion, have n
hesitancy in saying that Iams was pu1
ished according to the customs of wa
and no more than he deserved.
IA fire is no more dangerous in
powder magazine than a mutineer {
traitor in the ranks. It was necessar
to get him out of the camp at once, fl
his presence might lead to open syn
pathy or perhaps opposition to his col
tinement. 1t is source of great graf
fication to know that the course pu
sued by Colonel Streator and Colon
Hawkins have been fully vindicated
court of law and that the legality
, the division commanders order WI
sustained by the honorable judge WI
, tried the case, strangely enough beiI
the first one tried out of all those resul
ing from an event which involved rio
murder and treason"