The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1898-06-25
AMERICAN SOLDIERS.

AMERICAN SOLDIERS.
Since the days of the revolution it
has been the wonder of the world why
America could throw into the field
vast army of daring soldiers who are
almost as good soldiers the day they
enlist as are to be found in the stand
ing armies of the old world; and how
il is possible to convert the civilian of
today into a veteran of tomorrow, a
transformation not possible in any
other nation of the world. Some of
the reasons why this is true may be
found in the following from the Ore.
gonian:
The past two months have. shown
the American people the phenomena
of war as it plays upon the impression
able minds of young men. From every
community boys have gone out to do
battle with necessarily slighJ concep-
tion Of the meaning of that term,
eager for the fray. The spectacle
lends to the belief that the microbes
of the "war fever" are born with
American boys, and only await oppor-
tunity for development. So rapidly is
this development that upon occasion
peaceful plodders over their books in
village schools, young men placidly
measuring calico behind counters, or
checking up accounts in mercantile
houses, are turned in the space of
few weeks into full-feiged warriors,
proudly bearing guns and knapsacks
and clamoring to be sent to the front.
No man knows when the germs of the
fever enter his system, but their de-
velopment is along the same lines in
every individual. The controlling
impulse to enlistment is in most cases,
no doubt. patriotism. But, aside from
this, there is an attraction about camp
life which makes war, from distance,
seem like huge vacation, dangerous,
but seductive, and offering chances of
promotion or at least distinction that
will make life worth the living in the
future.
Porsenal pel1l is outweighed in the
contemplation of war by the entice-
ments of outdoor life among.a crowd
of companienable men who for the
most part have nothing to do. The
prospect of fighting may to some ex-
| tent be relished, but it.is not this that
draws men into toe volunteer army so
much as it is the opportunity which
enlistment presents to throw off hum
Grum cares which eat the enthusiasm
out of life. All men who are healthy,
and especially all young men who but
now were boys, like adventure, and
war is adventures opportunity. A
generation of peaceful pursuits has not
| repressed the natural man though it
has weakened his nerves to some ex-
tent and given him many new diseases.
He only waits opportunity to break
out of his cage, and war opens the
| door for him about three times in a
| century. AS long as love of country
| and love of adventure exist there will
be wars. This is a fact which the
Universal Peace Society will have to
study and supplant in human nature
by an overpowering love of peace be-
fore they can reasonably expect to hail
the day from which "the need of ar
senals and forts has persisted"
General Shafter is heavy weight,
pulling down the scales at 80 pounds
When he strikes the Spaniards at
Santiago they will think he weighs
more than ton.
Our war of mercy, instituted to re-
lieYe the Cubans, has been in existence
two months, still the concentrates
about Havana are starving, and the
relief pledged them seems to be long
way in the future.
The administration is making haste
very slowly in the war with Spain.
There are many who have become |
slightly suspicious that more or less
politics is mixed up in this waiting
policy.
Speculation as to who will be Ore
CONS next U. 5. senator is rife. There
should be no speculation at all On this
point. Joe Simon is entitled to it, for
like Hanna in Ohio, he is the boss in
Oregon. So just quit theorizing, and
concede the election to Simon.
A few loquacious senators are talk
ing against time to prevent the adop-
tion of the Hawaiian annexation reso-
luton, but they are wasting their
breath. Those who favor annexation
will stay in Washing ton all summer or
pass the resolution.
1t is estimated that the wheat crop
of America this year will be 100000
900 bushels. which will sbe the largest
crop eyer harvested. If the price
should happen to sbe low, we presume
it will be attributed to overproduction
even if there is a shortage abroad.
Even the Ohio republican state con-
vention did not declare for the gold
standard, but reaffirms the St. Louis
platform. CeI tainly Hanna has not
gone back on the gold standard, but
probab bly, does not,think it policy to go
before the Ohioans on straight issue
next fail.
Last Mondays issue of the Walla
Walla Union was Woman's edition,
edited exclusively by the ladies of
Walla Walla, and issued by the Ladies
Relief Corps. 1t was an eight-page
paper, well filled with readable matter.
1t is creditable both 10 the women of
Walla Walla and the managers of the
Union.
At the present rate of progress the
war with Spain will not be terminated !,
short of six months. Senator Hale !,
has estimated that it will cost $780,
900, ,O0G to conduct the war for year.
so 1t would seem the powers that be
have calculated pretty closely on ex- :
hausting the 500, 600. 900 to be derived G
from bond sales. 8
The report comes from st. Louis of I