The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-10-08
HAS BEEN THERE.
>, around, for the Bssolsss Charges Against The
Administration,

EditorTR IBUNE:
Much is being written and much talk
d being made relative to the present
administration in the abuse Of our
soldiers in the past war with Spain,
aven the war department of our gov
ernment is now on trial under this
charge.
can see no cause for complaint,
having been soldier in one Of the
most stupendous wars that ever befell
the family of man, | can speak from
eyperience and observation. When
man enters the United States army, in
time of war, he should leaYe his feather
he'd and loaf bread behind. He cannot
pOssibly expect to have these Injuries
with him in the field.
Then, when " ar is declared it is not
comfort that we expect, but war to the
knife. 1t is march and fight, and
mother earth is our couch, and the
twinkling stars our canopy.
Irepeat that / can see no cause for
the charge of neglect of duty on the
part of the present administration or
Of the war department.
Note the issue and result. We were
at war with one of the oldest powers
in Europe, vers9d and familiar with
war in all it's phases. With us an army
of 10000 soldiers were armed and
equipped aud sent into the field. 1t was
time against time, the quickness of
movement and dispatch of business
meant millions of treasury and thous.
ands of lives for us. What is the re-
sult?.
In less than three months the enemy
sues for peace, two squadrons of the
enemy's fleet are sent to the bottom of
the sea, the enemy loses $lO0,00O,000
and for every life that went down on
the Maine, the enemy looses ten. But
with all and above all the war is
brought to close in less than three
months, to the honor and credit of
every American citizen. To the army
and navy we say "all hail." you are
part of us and one Of US, we adore
you.
But from whence comes complaint?
Is it from the generals in the field? Is 1t
from the volunteer? Mol 1 will tell
you where it comes from. 1t is from
the political enemies Of of the admins
tratiOn who hatch up these flimsy base
less fabrications Of charges for political
effect.
Could Edgar Wilson speak with his
father who died in a military prison,
could he speak with the thousands that
served and died like his father with no
utterance of complaint, could: he learn
their fare and privations that was en-.
dured for the same flag, then If sincere,
he would forever hold his tongue in
the abuse of honest effort.
General Sherman's men marched
from Vlcksburg TO Chattanooga with
all haste, on three crackers a day per |
man. Some were half clad, foot sore,
starved and blistered, did they COM
plainP Generals Thomas and Sher-
mans men after engaging the enemy |
for three days at Missionary Ridge i'm
medistely started on q forced march to |
relieve Gen. Burnside at Knoxville. 1t |
was march, march, day and night, we
torded the creeks and rivers like cattle,
we would stSgger against our comrades
in sleep while actually on the march.
Did you hear any complaint thenP
The confederate soldier half clad,
marching and fighting on his pint of
corn meal per day and per chance
piece of sweet potato, did not complain
but went on in duty as soldier.
1t does appear to me that the man
attempting to cast odium ON President
Mckinley and his administration in
the prosecution of the late war with
Spain makes himself an imbicile or a
traitor, and his cheek is broader than
his brain. To be sure there were isolat-
Cd cases of suffering and restitution,
what president and what general could
prevent itP It was so with Washing.
tons army, it was so with Jackson's
army, 1t was so with Grants army and |