The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-05-17
AMERICAN PATRIOTISM.
What II Menns-rhe Fhture Of tho Country
Iin,,s In n Healthy Foreign ro,iey-Au
Army Onicor'. striking sentiments.

TO TIE Editor Of ne f4dh1tlttn
SIR:-lt Is reported IN to.day's dis.
patches that tho Standardization will I'M.
dertake to discipline Admiral Meade for
his public u%ttetanco, regarding tho pol.
icy Of II government in the lato Mica.
rnguau iInbroplio. That tho gallant adj
miral expressed his views with tho
freedom and Independence Characters.
ito ol the American sailor eau not DO
denied, but 1t Ia possible tho language
employed BY him may be lawfully con-
strusd az an iniraction OF naval disci.
pliae, no matter how much 1t may DO
apDlaudod by patrintic citizens. Tho
President OF tho United States 10 tho
commander.in.chioi Of our nrmy and
navy, aud officers Of cvory rank arc pro.
hibited by tho articles OF war from
speaking Unexpectedly Of tho chief
magistrate or his constitutional advis-
era, or Of INDUCING In o public criticism
OF their official acts.
II Is u%ndsniably rue that tho foreign
policy OF this administration has Gro.
ated u deep feeling OF resentment in tho
breasts OF all lovers oil their country,
and among officers Of the army and navy
1t is dittiult TO repreis some expression
Of the prevailing sense Of humiliation.
In illustration Of this spirit OF dissatis.
faction among professional soldiers, and
In order to aid In the dissemination Of
q correct knowledge OF the views OF
army and navy officers in relation to n
distinctive American policy IN our in
,ercourso with foreign nations, | think
the following extracts from IN address
recently delivered by an army officer
on National Airaira," represents the
opinions OF q majority Of the members
OF the military and naval service OF the
United States. ! quote as follows:
"We are entering upon n new era in
the country's history, an era that is
likely to be n crucial test OF republican
institutions and d representative gov
ernment; an era that will probably de-
termine our place amongst tho powers
OF tho world-whether We are to be a
firs.-rate, or become fourth or n fifth.
rate power. II Is 10 DO the era OF con.
contest for commercial supremacy. and
will carry with 1t. for US. the right TO
control tho American continent or bs
confined, both as regards commerce and
expansion. TO the present b%oundariei Of
tho United States.
Since tho close oil tho civil war We
have been gradually sinking from n first
class to Il fiith.class military power. Our
merchant marine, the great feeder to
our naval strength, and which supplied
our navy during this var with expo
ricnced seamen OF all grades. was swept
from the ocean and we made no effort
to replace it. The consequence is that
great difficulty is experienced in getting
seamen at all, and most OF those man
ming our war vessels are foreigners. . .
Whatever we may say or think, our
standing amongst the nations, aud their
attitude toward us. u ability to pro.
tect and promote American commerce,
and make our wishes respected and our
action unmolested, is entirely depend.
ent upon military and naval strength.
We may buster and fume. but soldiers
and ships will decide the destiny Of tho
republic, and we are sorely lacking in
both.
IL u liClC ulllultI lhhiIlt65 "
think that peace will last forever. A
few months ago China considered her
self as little liable to be involved in war
rs we do to-day, and had about the game
preparation 10 meet it that We have.
Weakness invites attack.
Strength iortites peace and secures our
continued development. A weak gov
ernment Is simply the expression OF u
weak people. Hope for the future lies
in our feeling and being strong enough
to say to nations who would th wars Il
destiny or limit our field OF action.
Thus far and no further
The only people who need fear
American soldiers are those who would
destroy American institutions, override
constitutional law and the will OF tho
majority rs expressed through &ons,itu-
tionai channels. and exalt the raS flag
OF anarchy above the stars and Stripes.
With US, an army is simply one OF tho
schools OF the country. teaching in al.
dition to its scientific and technical
curriculum, its spccialties OF courage,
discipline, manly endurance, honor and
integrity in public trust, courtesy in
personal intercourse. respect for law
and constituted authority, devotion to
duty and tho welfare OF the community
and the nation.
with such 4 country and such a
people. when We provo equal to our op.
%pOrtunity, whom our statesmen have
tho preSciencc and ability OF those who
guide Enclaud's affairs, and voters
- nI .tnpntgul aa Lnra 70 national
prestige AMI pcrmaucnce, We become n
nation. actua,cd by a nations pride and
purpose, and no. n mere aggregation Of
petty, Earring and discordan. localities;
when earth'a greatest country's got her
soul and risen up carth's greatest ma.
tiou,' wo may dominate the worlds
des,inics. Our flag will float unchul.
lcngcd on every sea. orr commerce and
manufactures penetrate unchecked to
every corner OF the globe, our citizens
be honorcd and respected in every land,
our TcCnritios aud corporate interests
be the synonym for safety and integrity
in every market, and our people pros
porous beyond their. dreams. But all
this is only possible to the ptodomin-
anco OF n CONTAGIOUS and pnrposciul ma.
tional sentiment In tho councils OF tho
nation. aud amongst tho people that
shall induce lis TO omit no effort or
sacrifice to place our country first in
power and influence amougst the ma
tons OF the world"
Such sentiments are crediiahle 10 tho
intelligence and patriotism OF American
soldiers, and will strike Il responsive
chord In tho hearts Of all true and loyal
c~i,izons Of our great aud growing lu.
public. Vox porULi.
Wheeling, ". ln.. 'mq Ia,
THr fact that il0nd'S S,~rsnparillo