New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-17
FIGHTING Circular SAWS.

Governor EllerDe or S0utn tarOnna IS re-
ported as saying that If war is declared he vii!
immediately call out the State troops, OF whom
there are "abOut four thousand, armed and
equipped. who would respond to man and
flight a circular saw to protect The honor of
"the American flag" He adds that If the South
Carolina troops are put in the field he will take
command Of them himself. AS an expression
Of patriotic fervor and manifestation of de-
votlon to the flag no exception can be taken to
such utterances, even though they sound
tr!fe eXuberant and contain a suggestion of
something that might almost be called swagger.
In the event of war being dccared-a consum-
nation which all good citizens must hope viii
be honorably avoided should expect that
the Governor Of South Carolina. and the Gov
errors Of all the other States as well, would
promptly meet the emergency and, If neces-
sary. be ready to answer the call 10 arms by
putting their troops at the service Of the gen
era Government. But war has not yet been
declared except in two or three newspapers
which labor under the delusiol that the Ma
tloral honor has been intrusted TO their keep
nC. we shall all of us-GOvernors of States as
much as, and perhaps more than. any Of us
do we'll TO keep our feet on the ground and our
intellectual processes as free as possible from
both fog and fury.
No doubt Governor Ellerbe IS correct IN say
ing that the South Carolina troops would fight
"a circular saw to protect the honor of the
american flag No doubt, either. that there
are Governors of Western States whose troops
would whip their weight in Wildcats in the
same glorious cause. All the same, it has to he
said-and the remark ought not to check the
ntfip fi r1o of Tho 1,nf-
that these specific propositions are Irrelevant
For II Is quite ont Of the question that the
South Carolina troops, be they never so willing,
would ever in the event Of war be called upon
TO fight circular saws, or the Western troops
TO whip wildcats. 1t VIII not be that kind of
war. The circular saw is not now used as a
weapon OF war. There was something APP
preaching It in use among the ancient Brtons,
who fastened scythes to the hubs Of their war
charots. These scythes, revolving rapidly IN
der the direction Of the grpmen OF that period.
were almost as destructive Of life as n Broad
way cable-car. But they were discarded as 4
weapon Of war several years ago Wildcats.
TOO, are an anachronism as a fighting force
The tactics and strategy with which the early
pioneers cODtended with that carnivorous beast
when he was predatory and prevalent would
find no field for their exercise In war with
Spain.
No: there would he no use for men who are
willing TO fight circular saws or wildcats We
should Of course, in the forcbe language of
Mr.. Sullivan, dick Spain" But we may as
we'll keep in mind the fact which all intelligent
men perceive and understand, that the contest
would not be Of circular saws nor wildcats. nor
In the main Of brute force. 1t would be n con-
test Of brains more than Of Drawn, of the purse
more than Of the sword. 1t is not struggle
to be begun with n whoop and a howl. or en-
tered upon with the blind courage Of the book
agent. II Is to be avoided as long and as far
as possible with honor. and II il Is found 10 be
unavoidable and inevitable the best prcpara-
ton for 1t is complete knowledge OF the stun
ton and cool, intelligent temper II will not
pay to get hot about it and Jump I'D and down
In passion or indulge IN swagger or brac and
buster. All that may he left to the sensatIona,
newspapers. which find profit in it.
Governor Ellerbe says he will take co,,,,on,
OF his own troops. Maybe so. He undoub,o1,v
means well. But he should remember that in
war there is seldom any lack Of brigadiers The
chief want Is Of private soldiers. And he should
also remember that the essential quality In n
commander Is not 60 much physical courage
or willingness 10 lead as capacity for leader
ship. We would not Intimate for moment