Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-07
War Governor Atkinson
and the Military

N would seem that Governor Atkln-
SON could escape great deal Of righte-
I'LL criticism if he would confine his
military authority and skill to the d.
notion OF his famous and widely
know Colonies.
rrt Ccuid by superhuman selT-re-
ef,aint permit Secretary Alger, Coils.
spiIIman. Smith and others to follow
rbeir legitimate lines OF duty and at
tbe same time he might, in the thickest
nj the fray. by modifying his Colonies
at same convenient first class hoJel.
ME- could plunge right into the depth
81 the question and lay out the pro-
or9mme for a speech and review CT
The fr0cps, while the Colonies, grasp
III the Importance OF the situation,
,avld run up their hotel bills and dis
,uss arrangements for carriages, bou-
onets and other incidentals necessary
- add 10 their Importance and to make
The review Of colossal success.
Nj he could only prevail upon him
sa'f to do this we feel almost certain
-hat the people would make no Cbjec-
rion TO the trivial expense necessary.
ff the Governor would consent to this
spparent self-sacrifice of authority, the
nsoDle would not consider it III any
manner as a surrender Of his omnipo-
renee and almost celestial authority, Or
III no manner detraction from the
reInlgent glory that surrounds him.
They well knew that in military mat
tArs he stands on the same plane as in
ether matters-occupying a position of
nd ~ 1u
SKIN approached only in remote and
feeble way by William, Emperor of
Germany
They do not overlook his multitu-
,inous capacity and fully realize that
with the same mastery mind he could
MAN campaigns of strategic wonder
arcn from the forage Of a setting hen,
er the decentralization of a speckled pull
TIL 10 the mechanical eyolutions of
hartalons and armies.
Pint the admiring public would rather
.ee him as he has often shone. the
dazzling cutter of a galaxy OF lace-be
dgcked colonels.
IKE could mobilize his Colonies on a
Grand stand or balcony, then deliver
= speeeh-a gem Of oratory to take
rcmpanicnship with Webster's speech
al the monument of Bunker Fill-
While the Colonies could cluster about
him in picturesque attitudes, d. 900
same time assuming an air Of vast
Importance.
The people could not reasonably eX-
beet any greater military activity than
this: they would be content with this
alone
After the review the troops could
march away to the front. Gallant
boys. the advance guard of the pa
trotism of cur young Dominion, who
caught step with the music Of the
first drum beat and stepped beneath
the expanding folds of Old Glory.
We have here nj replica the spirit CT
Lexington. the heroism of Lundy's
Lane and New Orleans, the aggressive
courage that stormed Chapultepec and
Monterey, the obstinate valor that
made red the fields of Antietam and
Cettysburg-it is all here, over and
over again. except in younger blood.
Thousands Of friends greet them as
they march away to the strains of mar
tial music. There are lingering fare
wells and smiles wet with tears.
As company and battalion goes
marching by with the tread OF vic
lory-we Of this locality watch for
company B; we Watt to them flower,
a kiss, a prayer and a word of hope
and cheer. God bless them all-the
boys Of the regiments CT West Vir-
ginia.
The music melts away, the blue
ranks disappear and thev are gone
Gone to untried battleields, to be swept
down in conflict, to be lifted on the
wave Of triumph to be constantly sur
rounded by the livid and sulphurous
shadows Of death.
After the boys have gone the Gov
cgnor and Colonies will depart to their
respective homes, conscious Of having
performed highly and important
task.
They will pack away the chapeau
with the big black ostrich feather,
along with moth balls and camphor
paper
The broadclith pants will be prop
erly creased, the galloon and lace trim
med coat will be carefully laid away
in its mOth-balled recepticle. The gilt
tering sword will be carefully placed
IN It's chamois case, and the Colonels
VIII repress their military zeal and
ardor and impatiently await another
order from their commander to assem-
ble again on the field of Mars-perhaps
al the unwilling of a monument, or
perhaps TO add pomp and magnificence
10 another review