The age-herald., 1898-08-21
The Country's Four Heroes

The four undisputed heroes of the war the four after whom babes and pet pirds and animals are named-the four whom Wheeler and Roosevelt. There are others but either their honors are by some denied, or else they do not quite shinesas stars of the first magnitude. The reader will readi- ly recall fifth hero, but perhaps the next man will say that No. 5 is not a hero, after all. No one, however says that when any one of the four is mentioned.
 Even among heroes of the first rank there are gradations and no one will question George Dewey's right to first place among the four. The man who inn proved every opportunity to the utmost, who became as good negotiater as he was a sailor, and who practically recreated America by adding to it the Pacific seas and their immense trade possibilities-that man is unquestionably and by common voice the chief and leading hero of the war. Not a single error stands today charged against him, and he was to great extent. owing to the lack of cable facilities, his own board of strategy. Off Cavite at the very beginning he struck a blow that elec- trified and inspired the country throughout the war; and the island empire that he then won he firmly dominated until the time came to take full possession of it by force at the very end of the contest. He opened the war in the most dramatic man. ner, and he closed 1t with bang that for ever sealed Spains fate in the Pacific, and inaugurated the twentieth century great ness of America.
 As the facts of the Santiago campaign become better known, it becomes clearer that our own Joe Wheeler is entitled to second place. Getting up from a sick bed. he was carried to battle on a litter and there his quick experienced eye told him that, difficult as the situation was, re- treat should not be ordered, however much his brother officers thought otherwise. He, too. seized a great opportunity. and i'm proved it, and the result was a victory that practically resulted in the destruction of Cerveras fleet and the end of the war Like Dewey, no error stands charged against him. No mistake of any kind Is attributed to him. Regulars and volun- teers alike love the old soldier, and in every part of the country today his name is accompanied with unmixed praise and admiration.
 Hobson and Roosevelt come next. What a pairl Born fighters both, neither knows the meaning of the word fear Neither considers life at all when the country calls. Both are young men, and each has a great career before him. If we must dis tinguish between them, Hobson by a pop ular vote, would take third place, and Roosevelt would be the file-closer of the splendid quartet.
 Two are veterans, Dewey and Wheeler; two are in the prime of life, ready for any call that the. people may make One of these young men may become in the im- mediate future governor of the greatest state in the union, and the other Is destin- ed to riSe to the head or the navy Deiore his hair becomes sprinkled with gray.
 Two come from the northland and two from the land of the sun. One of the vet erans served in the federal navy in the days Of civil strife, and the other led a restless and never-conquered army of the Confederacy. The two youngsters repre- sent the new republic that is at last peace- fully and happily united under the folds of Old Glory that belongs as much to one section as to the other.
 And last but not least, two of the four come from Alabama and two from the other forty-four states This is to the party of the first part glory enough for one war.