New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-29
AS A JERSEYMAN SEES 1T.

has confirmed the accuracy OF the statements
published in these columns from time TO time
TO the effect that about three-four'hs Oh 'ne
rank and file ard nearly all the officers OF the
"a and 4th regiments. New-Jersey Nolui'ce'
Infantry heartily desired 10 be ordered 20 CUBA
with the army Of occupation. while IN the ISL
and Sd regiments two-thirds or more OF the
volunteers wished to be mustered out 20 as 10
return to their homes and business. their PREF
erence being due in large measure TO the dlspii'-
ing and wearying monotony of their experience.
Our inquiry has also shown that there nave
been most determined and elaborate efforts on
the mart OF well-neaning people to dampen ana
break down the military ardor Of the paulot'c
volunteers Of the ID Regiment. Similar, thoush
less active. efforts have been made 10 lniue"oe
the men who have enlisted in the Attn Regiment
1t is quite natural that certain proportion Vi
the % Regiment should have preferred I" re-
turn home but inasmuch as the majority OF
their comrades desired to continue In the ser
vice those who felt the pressure OF business
and OF home duties should have been content 10
accent honorable discharge without endeavor-
Ing to bring about the muster out or the eh'"e
regiment by sending home exaggerated reports
Of sickness in camp and other statements caicu-
lated to work upon the sympathies or those
az home This was not a solder!y procedure
II was likewise quite to be expected that reia-
tives and friends would show eagerness for the
return Of the soldiers but IT was not iair 10
the Cd Regiment for people at home 10 get up
great petitions for the discharge OF the com
mand and to overwhelm the volunteers with
niteous appeals TO come home and with notices
from their employers that they would forfeitthelr
places If they went to Cuba. Thus altogether
unfair compulsion has been put upon the mem
bers Of the Cd Regiment and II may result IN
the disntegration of one Of the finest commands
In the whole volunteer army-a regiment tha'
has won the especial favor OF Major General
Lee and that was chosen by him for post OF
conspicuous honor in the Cuban army Of &C.
cupation in which II would reflect glory upon
the State Of New-Jersey.
Governor VOORHEES,. with the same admirable
common sense which he showed In the formation
Of the Jersey regiments had arranged satisfac-
torily for the honorable discharge Of those In
the "a and 18th regiments who desired TO return
home. and for the filing Of their places with
those members Of the 1st and Sd who desired
TO continue in the service and the whole matter
could have been left to his welltested wisdom
But the persistent agitation for the discharge OF
the whole Cd Regiment created complications
and with an eye single to the fair treatment
.
most trustworthy personal representatives
Senator Johnson. General Bird w. Spencer and
ex-Judge Van Vaen-to report to him as to the
real wishes Of the soldiers. and has ordered SINH
lar reports 10 be made as TO the other three reg
ments. There is delightful lack of military red
tape about this inquiry, which is, in fact, an
other demonstration of the Governors capacity
as executive. 1t is characteristic OF him 10
get at the truth directly instead OF wandering in
the blind alleys Of formal procedure.
1t is a painfully severe test to which the gal
liant volunteers Of the I'd are subjected. Ardor
and enthusiasm for the National service impel
most OF them 10 continue in the service. and TO
contribute their full share to the completion Of
the work which remains 10 be done in Cuba.
On the other hand. an overwrought and some
what missed home sentiment, pathetic appeals
from those to whom they are bound by close
ties and pressure by their employers COM
binng against the patriotic impulses which ami
mate officers and men. 1t remains 10 be
how they will stand this test-the inquiry now
being made Will show how many have been
swerved from their zeal for military service by
the pleadings of those at home. No discredit
will attach to the regiment II large number
are thus Influenced, but IT will be greatly TO
their credit If they stand firm in their zeal for
the flag and help plant the Stars and Stripes
more securely in the Pearl Of the Antilles.
Yet this can hardly be expected The ties of
home and the pleadings of dear ones are rea-
sonably sure to move the great majority OF the
volunteers OF the ID Regiment and effect
tire reversal OF sentiment Ambition and pa
triotc zeal are not matches for human love
cept in times OF actual national necessity.
Then. too. a new element has entered into the
problem which these men have to face. Hither-
to the ID Regiment has been comparatively free
from sickness. and even in the last fortnight
while there has been sudden increase In cases
OF malarial and typhoid fever in the other com
mands Of the division the records Of the Jersey
troops last Friday showed only sxty-three men
on the sick list but at the very time when the
Governors representatives were their way
Jacksonville the Jerseymen visited by the
dreaded fevers. and a score Of volunteers were
stricken. This certainly will add to the in1u
ence OF other circur' tances and lead to large
increase in the numbers Of those who desire to
return home.
General Donnelly would doubtless make good
run for Governor. and now when every desirable
candidate TO be out Of the race there should
be no further time lost in indecsive wIanging
II the Democrats wish to win-(Hoboken Observer.
Does this mean that Hoboken despairs of the
nomination OF Senator DAILY? Is II possible that
any one in that statesman's city can for mo-
ment falter in his enthusiasm for the citys rep
resentative statesman. or fail to share the Sena-
tors eloquent confidence in himself? Evidently
the Little Boss" has impressed his will upon
1.-THE Hoboken Observer" and persuaded IT to
make grudgingly the admission that every de-
sirable candidate q. e. William ID. Daly) seems
TO be out of the race" and that General Don
nelly would doubtless make good run"
With Bob" Davis Cor Donnelly. Jim" Smith
for Seymour and "Bl' DAILY for himself there
is lively scramble in prospect in the State Con-
vention, as II the Democrats did not have trou-