The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-02

The controversy between General Miles
and the War Department is becoming
very interesting We are not prepared TO
take sides with either Of the contestants,
because we want 70 be always upon the
side of truth and justice. and we are not
now prepared 20 say upon which side that
lies We have no difficulty in saying
however. that our suspicious all lie in
the direction Of General Miles side of
the case and against the War Depart
ment General Miles is not popular man
in Virginia or in any part Of the South.
because he was unnecessarily brutal In
his treatment OF Mr.. Davis when he had
charge Of him directly after the war. But
we must do General Miles justice, even
II we do denounce him for his treatment
Of Mr. Davis. and we are never 10 forget
that when General Miles put irons upon
Nr Davis ninety-nine per cent. Of the
Northern people who had supported the
war sympathized with the act and were
entirely ready 10 see him treat Mr. Davis
more brutally stlll Things are not to-
day as they were in the summer Of 1866
far from Il. God be thanked.
OF General Miles, record as a soldier
during the civil war we have always
heard the most favorable reports. He
fought his way up by honorable service
upon the battlefield. from the ranks to the
position OF Major-General, and we know
that the officers of the regular army to-
day have the highest respect for him and
the most entire confidence in him.
The Secretary of War has never COM
manded the confidence OF the public He
held a commission Of colonel Of cavalry
during the civil war. and he was tried by
oourt-martial for cowardice in the face
Of the enemy. though the result is not
known. Ho has grown very wealthy
since then. and there has been
no Republican National Convention
for twenty years that was wanting in
yoiceless rumors everywhere about 1t
concerning Ayers bari" and what it
would do for Ayers friends There was
an underlined expectation, when Alger
was made Secretary OF War. that the
army was to again become the scene of
such things as prospered in the days of
Of his predecessor. Belknap. of unctuous
memory.
There is but one thing creditable TO us
in the Cuban war and that is the way
the navy performed its whole part and
the way the officers and soldiers OF our
army fought the enemy wherever they
ha
up to every demand upon il. whether
In the way OF ships or the conduct Of
men and officers. The second service
showed as gallant men and officers as
ever wore the uniform OF any country.
but they have been treated, from the
day the war opened. with a neglect and
a disregard that is a lasting shame TO
the nation We are glad General
Miles has forced an issue between himself
and the War Department. because We
must now have an investigation that will
disclose all the facts TO the people. and
II there are any more Belknap methods
in the War Department the people will
learn OF them. and will know how to
deal with those responsible for them.
We have no patience whatever with
those who deprecate General Miles
course. because subversive. as they say.
OF orderly procedure in the Department
of War. While We are actually engaged
IN war. the department is Of course JUS
;ihed in Withholding from the public any
Information which could be serviceable
10 the enemy. But when the war is over
there is nothing in the War Department
20 be concealed from the people any more
than In the debates in Congress. The
people are entitled TO know it all, in times
OF peace.