The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-20
FRIDAY. MAY 20. 1898.
uNFAIR CARPING AT THE AID
MINISTRATION.

ami. the Times IS a Democrat OF the
mos. radical school. while Mr.. Mckinley
Is a Republican deeply STEPPED in all the
tenets Of the Republican party. which
me Times is only less opposed to than 10
the vagaries of Populism.
Nevertheless The Times says this is a
time when every patriotic American
should and will give the President an un-
affected and loyal support while he con-
tinues 10 administer the government with
that sincere desire TO carry the nation
through the war honorably and for It's
best interests that The Times believes
him 10 be inspired by. He will probably
make errors. as all men must; but while
he is honestly doing his best for the pub
lie interests his faults should be condoned
instead Of being exposed and denounced
We don't know that he has yet made
any errors. but we do feel perfectly sat-
tsaed that he has done his very best ac-
cording to the lights that were before
him.
We have said this much in order TO
sneak with as severe condemnation as
we can of the newspapers that are carp
ing at the President for every act OF
omission or commission that does not
suit their very sage notions of the way
in which the war should be conducted.
Here IS the New York Journal, for in
stance. Of Tuesday last, barking az the
Presidents heels with all of It's lungs.
one of its grievances is because he has
appointed the distinguished author, Rich
ard Harding Davis. Russell b. Harrison
son of ex-President Harrison; James G..
Blaine. Jr., son Of the late Secretary of
State. and John A. Logan, Jr, TO cap
taincies and lieutenantcies upon the stan
of the army. The Journal says: rs this
scandal TO continue? AS yet there is no
sign Of a cessation in the stream of col
onclcies and captaincies bestowed upon
the nobodies who happen to be the sons
Of somebody"
There is nothing to indicate that these
gentlemen viii not make just as good
stan officers as any Americans whatever.
Indeed. their social standing and rela-
tions are such as TO make it almost GER
tain that upon the battlefield they will
carry whatever order their chief gives TO
them with certainty and despatch and
that is about the only duty expected Of
stan officers OF their grade. They were
under no obligation 10 volunteer, and It
was very patriotic act in them to do
f. Why should not the President make
this sort Of acknowledgement 10 them for
their patriotism? The influence Of their
example is certainly most salutary and
we see no reason why the President may
not make the example as conspicuous as
possible for its effect upon the other
young men Of the country.
In the same issue the Journal deliveries
scole upon the delay in sending rein
forecements to Admiral Dewey. and II
makes a great hue and cry because in the
seventeen days that have elapsed since
ne had ielegraphic information Of Dew
ey's victory. not a ship or a man has been
sent 10 him. But nothing could be more
unfair than this. cuba is the objective
point OF this war. When news Of Dewey
victory reached this country very few
OF the volunteers had been enrolled and
the regulars were all being concentrated
for tho invasion OF Cuba. The admins
traticn had neither men nor ships that
It could send 10 Manila and the whole
country knows that since then it has
been pushing preparations TO send Dewey
succor as rapidly as Il could. The clamor
against Il on this account is unfair and
outrageous. Reinforcements will be sent
90 Dewey just as soon as circumstances
will permit
The journal Ia az ignorant of interna-
tional law as It ia prejudlced ana unfair.
TO stimulate prejudice against the ad-
minlstration It says that the German.
French and English warships at Manila
are liable at any time to land marines
there FOR the protection OF their consul
ates. and. being once upon the soil OF the
Philippines. they will remain there and
thereby disposscss the Americans OF their
rositlon as eonquerors
THIS Il said by the Journal because I,
knows nothing OF the International laws
Of the cas-.
Under international law neutral may
always land armed men at place cir.