Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-08-20
TO WHon CREDIT is DUE.
The Military and Peace Commission
ers-No Volunteers TO be Mus
tered out of Service.
LFrom our Regalar corFespondenll

4
WASHINGTON, Aug. I5.-No othei
country ever did, and it is not likely
that any other country ever will, il
the short space OF three months and
half fight such a remarkable war a:
the United States has just fought to Z
successful close 1t was one line o
successes, without even a single SCI
back from Dewey's victory in Manila
Bay to the acceptance Of the terms o
peace by the French Ambassador
authorized to act for Spain. Without
detracting in the slightest degree
from the honors grateful country
are paying the heroes who participant
ed in the fighting, it is we'll to call at
tention to the fact that there is a man
in Washington, to whose iron will
and sleepless energy more credit is
due for the glorious results and end
ing of the war than to any other single
individual That man is William
| Mckinley, who has shown himself
worthy to be the Chief Executive OF
the greatest and strongest Nation
that the world has ever seen, by
gaining the admiration, love and con-
fidence of our own people. and the
respect of the entire civilized world.
He has raised the United States TO a
higher position than it has ever occu-
pied in the eyes of the world and yet,
| he is today as unostentatious as he
was when serving in the House, aud
has no pride other than that which
every man has who conscientiously
performs his duty. Every American
can point with pride to President Nc
Kinley and say to less favored ma
tons: This is the sort of man that
free country produces at need.
The members of the military COM
missions, that are to act with Spanish
commissioners at San Juan, Porto
Rico, and Havana in arranging for
the evacuation of Porto Rico and
Cuba, by the Spanish troops, will be
selected this week, but there is no
special hurry about selecting the five
peace commissioners that are to me-
gotiate the formal treaty Of peace be-
tween the United States and Spain,
as the Commission will not meet I'M
til October I, at Paris, and the Presi-
dent wishes time TO select the very
best men to be had.
President Mckinley took occasion
in letter declining an invitation
from Gen. Breckenridge to review the
troops at Chickamauga Park, because
of his inability to get away from
| Washington, to say few words that
will do much to soften the bitter dis
appointment of the thousands of vol
unteers who had no opportunity to do
any fighting These words were
1.-THE highest tribute that can be paid
to the soldier is to say that he per.
formed his full duty. The field Of
duty is determined by his govern
ment, and wherever that chances to
be is the place of honor. All have
helped in the great cause, whether in
camp or battle, and when peace comes
all will be alike entitled to the Ma
ton S gratitude.
Gov. Otero, of New Mexico, who is
visiting Washington, said: "Presi-
dent McKinley's administration is
immensely popular with us, and
right here / want to say that New
Mexico is as loyal and patriotic as
any state or territory in the Union.
Because many of our people are Of
Spanishsdescent, lot of foolish stuff
has been written accusing them Of
siding with Spain. A greater SANDER
was never perpetrated. Our territory
raised FIVE companies of Rough Rid
ers. three Of which did magnificent
service in the hard fighting in front
Of Santiago The CAPTAIN of one of
them, Max Luna, OF Spanish lineage,
especially distinguished himself in
the charge at San Juan
None of the volunteers are likely to
be mustered out OF service for some
time to come. This statement is
made upon Secretary Ayers authori
| ty While the matter has not been
definitely determined the Secretary
thinks that the garrisons that Will
have to be maintained for an indefinite
period in Cuba and Porto Rico. will be
made up entirely OF volunteers, divid-
ed as far as possible between the
troops Of all the states, the regulars
being returned to the forts and army
posts from which they were taken.
While there is no reason to believe
that the present temporary peace will
not be permanent, no chances are to
be taken. Every vessel in our Navy,
that is where it can be done, is to be
thoroughly overhauled and put in
f1rsf-class fi0hfiuo condition as fast as