The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-11-26
GOV ATKINSON'S TRIBUTE

To WesI Virginia TroOPs-Hln Opinion OF
Late War in ''rhe ReylryV 0f tlevlswI."
Special Dispatch to the Intelllgencer.
CHARLESTON, w. Va, Nov. 25.-In
reply to a request made to the governors
of the various states for their views on
the results OF The American-Spanish
war. by The Review of Reviews, OF New
York, Governor G. w. Atkinson, OF this
state. sent the following:
Albert Shaw. Esq, Editor Review OF
Reviews" New York.
MY DEAR STR:-Replying to your
courteous letter OF the 7th inst, will
state briefly:
The results Of the war with Spain
cannot be other than gratifying to every
American citizen. Our soldiers, and
seanen, on land and sea, have brought
new glories to the great republic, Our
triumph in every engagement was be-
yond our expectations. We knew that
our soldiers and seamen, and our people
generally, In education and intelligence,
and, indeed. in all that goes to make up
real manhood, were far superior to the
Spaniards. Still, It seems almost In
credible that we should sweep them
down in the manner that we did.
The result OF this war has given a
wonderful upiift to humanity every
where. The great nations Of the world
must, of necessity, hereafter have great
er respect for their subjects, and must
Yield 10 them broader liberties, The
trend Of the times Is in the direction OF
general education and universal free
dom.
We were only allowed to furnish two
regiments of West Virginia infantry
volunteers Of thirteen hundred and
twenty-six officers and men each.
could have furnished twenty-five regl-
ments of volunteers as easily as two.
Our people literally climbed over one
another to enlist in the volunteer army.
Our first regiment was mainly organ
lied out OF our state militia. All Of the
officers OF that regiment were men of
several years experience and training
in our National Guard. The second regl-
ment was mainly made up outside OF our
state troops. The officers of this regl-
ment, however, were almost In every Inc
stance taken from graduates from MILL
tary schools, and men who had had ex-
perience as officers OF our state militia.
A large number Of the private soldiers
in each regiment were also graduates OF
military schools, and many OF them were
members of the State Guard, and were,
therefore, well drilled men.
Without boasting, can say that our
two West Virginia regiments are made
up OF as brave, manly and well educated
men as ever shouldered musket or un-
slleathed sword. Our people, without
regard to politics. are, therefore, proud
OF the proweSs OF our two West Virginia
regiments. l win add also that politics
were totally ignored in the make up OF
these regiments. AS governor, l ap-
pointed as many officers from the Demo-
cratic party as from the Republican or
ganization. to which have the honor
to belong. In this war with Spain we
were all Americans, not partisans. Our
mountaineers are natural patriots and
natural soldiers as we'll, Although our
contlIc. with Spain was short, It was
marvelousiy decisive. History will reg
lister 1t, unqualifledly, as one Of the won-
derfd wars of the centuries.
4 have the EopQFtosbe,
Your most obedient servant,
G. w. ATKINSON,
Governor OF West Virginia,
Charleston, W. Va, Nov, 8. 1898.